Parents Wanted [Hardcover]

George Harrar (Author), Dan Murphy (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

When 12-year-old Andy meets Laurie and Jeff at an adoption party, he has already been in eight foster homes. Andy's alcoholic mother has given him up to the state as too hard to handle, and his father is in jail. Andy longs for a loving home and parents he can trust, but his attention deficit disorder, combined with the legacy of his dysfunctional parents, causes him to constantly challenge authority. He steals, destroys property, gets in trouble at school, tries to make a gunpowder bomb, and accuses Jeff, his soon-to-be father, of touching him inappropriately. To make matters worse, Andy's real father shows up asking for money. But Andy's new parents refuse to give up on him, and Andy must fight to save his soon-to-be-father's reputation and his own chance at having a real family.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Harrar (First Tiger) creates a balance of tenderness, humor and dramatic tension in this convincing portrayal of an ADD foster child adjusting to a new family. After being rejected by his birth parents, then several foster families, 12-year-old Andy is anxious to be adopted by a "normal" couple and the Sizeracys appear to fit the bill. However, his good intentions are often overshadowed by disruptive behavior. Confusing the conflicting values of his birth parents and his new guardians, Andy frequently gets himself into trouble. His antics escalating from vandalizing mailboxes to stealing to making false accusations of child molestation nearly threaten his chance for a permanent placement with the Sizeracys. A couple of subplots (Andy's brief encounter with his biological father, a crotchety neighbor's abrupt change of heart towards Andy) get short shrift, but overall this novel offers a persuasive portrait of the inner workings of Andy's mind. The author captures the hero's emotional turmoil and desperate need for acceptance. Readers will sympathize with both Andy and his adoptive parents as they seek and eventually find mutual trust and love. Ages 9-12.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Andy Fleck's father is in jail and his alcoholic mother has turned her son over to the state because, as an ADD child, she considers him too difficult to handle. At an adoption party, he meets Jeff and Laurie Sizeracy, who agree to become his foster parents and who are interested in adopting him. Having lived in several foster homes, the 12-year-old knows that he'll need to learn a new set of rules. He has always been dishonest and uses lies to get his way. When he does not want to help Jeff with weekend chores, he falsely accuses him of improper touching. When he is taken away from the Sizeracys while the Department of Social Services investigates the accusation, he admits that he lied and needs to convince everyone that he is telling the truth. Eventually the couple officially adopts him. Readers are exposed to Andy's inner thoughts and turmoil. However, information about foster families and the adoption process is sketchy and the time line is inconsistent. Andy moves in with the couple after six outings, having never visited their house. He has very little respect for Laurie, but his attitude slowly changes by the end of the novel. Realizing the power of false accusations of molestation, Andy threatens Jeff with accusations a few times in the book. While a real concern, this inclusion lessens the powerful implications of sexual abuse. Most libraries will be better served by Jack Gantos's Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key (Farrar, 1998).

Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 239 pages
• Publisher: Milkweed Editions (September 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571316329
• ISBN-13: 978-1571316325
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,206,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent on many levels, March 5, 2002

By 

Andrew D. Lach (Somerville, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parents Wanted (Paperback)

Want to see life through the eyes of a struggling foster teen? Parents Wanted is probably the closest you can get short of experiencing it yourself. Written in first person perspective, the reader slides somewhat uncomfortably into 12-year-old foster child Andy Flecks shoes and shares the tribulations of a good-hearted kid who has been unfortunately dealt a less-than-fair hand in life. Given up by his ill-equipped birth parents, Andy has been bounced around from foster home to foster home (sometimes only lasting 20 seconds), his obnoxious and angst ridden behavior make him difficult to deal with- 'No adult has ever apologized to me for the way Ive been treated- why should I have to apologize to them for the way I act?' Finally, he has found a family he likes who are willing to give him a chance and not give up on him, but with his past track record, it is only natural for him to test their limits for proof that they truly want him as their son.

Although written for young kids, Parents Wanted can be enjoyed on many levels. Young kids will identify with Andy and his views on adults and possibly learn a bit from his experiences and behavior. Adults will get good insight into the mind of an overactive teen (a refresher incase they forgot what they themselves used to be like) and be able to empathize with every other good parent working to show patience. A great book, especially to be enjoyed by those who have been touched by the experience of adoption.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is very good to read! Really it is., April 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Parents Wanted (Hardcover)

I loved this book and I keep reading this over and over I can never get enough of it. I really dont like to read but I picked this book up at a store and just read it over and over til it was time to close, which was about ten. So at the end I bought it because I just wanted to keep reading it. I have read the book at least 32 times. I love it because I wish I had a family like that. I might not have been in foster homes but I dont like where I am so to me this is a book that I wish I was in. I hope whoever reads the book realizes it is a very good book. 5 stars all the way. I am only 15 and I have not read too many books but this book got me into reading so it has to be good. I think I am repeating myself so I am gonna go. Later.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling Read, December 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Parents Wanted (Paperback)

Written from a 12-year-old's point of view, this is an absorbing story of a young boy's yearning for a place to call home and parents who'll love and accept him, warts and all. Rejected by his birth family (his mother doesn't want him and his father is in jail), Andy Fleck has bounced from foster home to foster home. Admitting, and sometimes seeming proud of being obnoxious, unreliable, and uncooperative, Andy knows he's a handful. Yet underneath that brash and tough exterior is someone who desperately wants a family. (...) A compelling read for both kids and adults.