Star of the Week: A Story of Love, Adoption, and Brownies with Sprinkles [Hardcover]

Darlene Friedman (Author), Roger Roth (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: June 2, 2009 | Age Range: 5 - 9 years

It's Cassidy—Li's turn to be Star of the Week at school! So she's making brownies and collecting photos for her poster. She has pictures of all the important people in her life—with one big exception. Cassidy—Li, adopted from China when she was a baby, doesn't have a photo of her birthparents. But with a little help from her family, she comes up with the perfect way to include them!

Using their own family's story as a model, Darlene Friedman and Roger Roth celebrate the love of families everywhere through this straightforward and insightful book.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

It is Cassidy-Li’s turn to be her kindergarten class’ “star of the week,” so she begins her autobiographical poster with a photograph taken in China at the time of her adoption. Other snapshots introduce her American family, friends, and favorite activities; but Cassidy-Li ruefully realizes she does not have a photograph of her birth family: “I think about my birth parents a lot. Sometimes I miss them.” Her questions and longings go into a picture she draws for her poster. Realistic illustrations portray a contemporary family bearing a strong resemblance to that of the author, the illustrator, and their daughter in the book-flap photo. The pictures add character and a light touch to a story, which, while upbeat, deals forthrightly with the uncertainties of adoptees. Cassidy-Li’s thoughts and questions about her birth family will resonate with adopted children and serve as a springboard for discussion in homes and classrooms. Preschool-Grade 3. --Linda Perkins

About the Author

Darlene Friedman, an award-winning writer and editor, works for an international women's organization in Philadelphia. She lives with her husband, Roger; their daughter, Eden; and their dog ("The Dobo") in Springfield, Pennsylvania. This is her first book for children.

Roger Roth is the award-winning author and illustrator of The Sign Painter's Dream and Fishing for Methuselah. He has illustrated dozens of children's books, including The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong and the Unsolved Mystery from History books by Jane Yolen and Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple. This is the first of what he hopes will be many collaborations with his wife, Darlene.

Product Details

• Age Range: 5 - 9 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (June 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061141364
• ISBN-13: 978-0061141362
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #492,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A WONDERFUL BOOK FOR ALL!! June 4, 2009

By Jennifer Jump

Format:Hardcover

Immediately after I read Star of the Week, I emailed Ms. Friedman to thank her and her husband for such a "lovely, touching, fun and honest book that I look forward to reading with my adopted son." I also wrote that I hope they "collaborate on more adoptive picture books in the future!"

As a teacher of second graders for over thirteen years, I know how difficult "Star of the Week" can be for some students. I believe Ms. Friedman's book will help open up the lines of communication for my son and others as well as show how wonderful and special the "Star of the Week" experience can be!

Today I am going to buy three more copies for my friends who also have children they adopted from Russia.

Thanks again Ms. Friedman!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Way to Handle Difficult Conversations June 18, 2009

By Hilary S. Williams

Format:Hardcover

Darlene Friedman and Roger Roth are a great team. The writing and illustrations in this book communicate a loving and sensitive story of a child's quest to come to terms with her adopted past...not an easy subject. As a teacher, I see this book as a vehicle for self discovery for my students. The story presents many meaningful writing opportunities for students to explore who they are and how their roots have an impact on their lives. As a parent, I think this book can show how difficult situations can be approached with love and honesty. I enjoyed the book very much, and I highly recommend it to adults and children of all ages.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids in Pre-K-2nd grade September 21, 2009

By Writer Mom

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Perfect for my 1st grader - her class is about to get started with the Star of the Week program, and this book was very timely. My daughter was adopted from China like the main character in this book, and it really helped us discuss what she wanted to share with her class and what she wanted to keep private. Wonderful for teachers too, to make them aware that some assignments might be tricky for some families.