Hungarian Rhapsody: An Adoption Story (Paperback)

by James Derk (Author)
Key Phrases: orphanage director, Hungarian Rhapsody, American Embassy, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"Hungarian Rhapsody: An Adoption Story" is a heart-warming account of an Indiana couple who set out to adopt a child from an orphanage in Eastern Europe but wouldn't stop until they had brought home six children.Fighting red-tape all the way, Jim & Kim Derk were determined to reunite a split-up family and then keep them together at all costs.A must-read for anyone considering international adoption, this heart-felt book offers much insight into what really happens when Americans head overseas to foreign orphanages.

About the Author
James Derk, a native of Chicago, has been honored with more than 40 journalism awards, including News Writer of the Year for Scripps Howard Newspapers. In a 17-year newspaper career he became a specialist in First Amendment issues and aviation and was one of the first reporters to practice "computer-assisted reporting" before the birth of the Internet. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. A dedicated community volunteer, he is chairman of GE Volunteers in the Ohio Valley, Chairman of the IT Alliance at the School of Business at the University of Southern Indiana and assistant Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 305 in Newburgh, Indiana.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (October 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1425957129
• ISBN-13: 978-1425957124
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #931,860 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Story will Grab You By the Neck and Won't Let You Go, November 19, 2006

By	Angular Velocity "angular" (Midwestern cornfield, sprawl imminent) - See all my reviews

Ordered an autographed copy of this book online from the author's site [...] and could not put it down. This odyssey of a pair of Hoosiers involved with international adoption is both hilarious: a car that sounds like a weed-whacker, attempting to withdraw enough money out of a Hungarian ATM, the colorful people lining the main thoroughfare - and heart-breaking: so many kids, so much adoption red-tape, Christmas is petting a bunny taken through the orphanage in a small wagon, orphanage workers doing their best to try and make a home for these children, and the Derks' goodnights to the orphans.
I cannot get the image of the ones left behind out of my head.
There needs to be a sequel. How are the kids doing in school? Were there problems after the kids got to America? How long did it take them to adapt - or was it effortless? How do they feel about their home - is the little boy who liked to put things together and take them apart well on the road to a physics scholarship yet - and are there more sisters or brothers in Hungary?
The parts of this book that are funny are absolutely can't-breathe-for-laughing funny. And the parts that are sad...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Hungarian Adoption Odyssey, November 19, 2006

By	W. F. Borman "Former Web Editor, SW Indiana P... (Evansville, IN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A tale of unbelievable bureauratic battles, tiring travels, great expense, language difficulties, and determined love involved in adopting four Hungarian sibling orphans, followed by two more siblings in later years. A heartwarming story, told with humor, about the children,their dedicated care givers in the Hungarian orphanage, and the determined adopting parents who would not be discouraged by the many obstacles in their path.
If you liked "Daddy Longlegs" you'll love this book.
A page turner.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A heart-warming story of international adoption, November 17, 2006

By	Noone in Particular - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hungarian Rhapsody: An Adoption Story (Hardcover)

This is the amazing story of a midwest couple who adopted four children from Hungary, only to return again to adopt a little boy and then AGAIN to adopt a little girl. That brought the number of children in their household to eight!

Told from the father's perspective with a warm sense of humor, this is a great book for prospective adoptive parents because it tells the real story about what happens when Americans head overseas.

Contains many good tips and advice.