Customer Reviews

Parents Wanted

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I liked this book because it had a lot of things in common with me. My dad loved it too. The author knows what he's writing about. This book really understands what it is to be adopted when you are older. It was the best book ever.

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. When Jeff and Laurie Sizeracy bring him home for possible adoption, he tests their patience and stamina by constantly pushing against the boundaries of acceptable behavior and making bad decisions. Andy's emotional turmoil escalates when his father asks him (and he does) to steal cash for him. When Andy falsely accuses Jeff of inappropriate touching, one wonders how (and if) this terrible situation can possibly be resolved. A compelling read for both kids and adults.

"Parents Wanted" is written from a kid's point of view.
It show what it's like for a kid to go from living in multiple
different foster homes and then to move in with a permanent
adoptive family. The book also shows the incredible patience
and understanding and love of his parents. It is a MUST reading
for any kid in this situation or any parent or teacher trying to understand how kids think. It's also a well-written and fascinating story for a reader of any age or background. I found it moving. ---A reader in Cambridge

This is a great book for kids and adults. It offers a terrific insight into the way kids think. If you've ever wondered why kids sometimes behave in irrational ways, read this book and you'll see that there is a sort of logical thinking behind seemingly unexplainable behaviors.
But this book is much more than that - it's a page turner! You don't find out until the very end whether this boy will stay with the parents he so desperately wants but doesn't know how to keep.

We haven't finished the book yet, but are a little more than halfway through. From the very first few chapters I knew this book was perfect for our situation. FINALLY! A book geared toward older children going through adoption. Most other books I could find on adoption was too babyish for our 10 year old to be even remotely interested in. Andy, the main character in the book, is so much like our boy that he immediately latched onto the story with great interest. Each night after reading a few chapters we discuss the contents that we just read, and how Andy's situation is similar, or different from, his own. It's been a great way for us to examine and discuss what's really going on in his life right now, and I'm sure it has helped him feel not quite so alone. Kudos to the author for providing such a great resource for families like ours!

PARENTS WANTED was chosen as the young people's ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY title this past summer in North Andover, MA. Once a few of the middle schoolers had read Andy's story the word got around town: "It's a great book, read it." Young people and their parents both read about Andy's sad, but often funny efforts to secure himself a set of parents. The voice of Andy is very believable and the world of foster children is presented in a way that's accessible to both young and old. I am happy to report that as a result of the ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY event PARENTS WANTED is now a popular book club choice for the middle schoolers. As an adult you end up rooting both for Andy and his parents whose own story, "child wanted" ends very happily. Harrar writes beautifully as the voice of Andy and never sounds like an adult trying to sound like a middle schooler. I highly recommend this novel to young and old alike.
Marina Salenikas, Head of Youth Services, Stevens Memorial Library, North Andover, MA

I am the mother of a fourteen year old boy diagnosed many years ago with ADD. He struggles with every aspect of life - learning disabilities, social issues, behavior issues etc. He, also, does not enjoy reading. Therefore, I am always looking for interesting books for him, in the hopes that perhaps they will entice him to read.

By chance, I stumbled on this book, Parents Wanted, at our local library. The jacket piqued my interest and I began to read the book myself. The book brought tears to my eyes. The author sincerely understands these children, as only a parent of a child with ADD could. How insightful! I appreciated every nuance of this story!

Of course, I insisted that my son read this book. He, too, enjoyed it, and reluctantly admitted he saw much of himself in the book.

I wish there were more novels about children with ADD. (There isn't much fiction written about this topic for children.)