Trophy Kid: Or How I Was Adopted by the Rich & Famous [Hardcover]

Steve Atinsky (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD Joe is the ultimate trophy kid. His adoptive parents are Hollywood’s favorite power couple, Academy Award–winning actress Greta Powell and actor/director/political candidate Robert Francis. Life with them has been one big photo-op since Joe became a war orphan at the ripe old age of three. And what better way for Greta and Robert to celebrate how far Joe’s come—and how much they’ve helped him—than for Joe to describe his experiences in a moving autobiography?
Of course, Greta and Robert don’t actually intend for Joe to write the book himself. Or for him to include any unflattering details about them. That’s why they’ve hired an experienced professional for the job. But Tom Dolan is no ordinary writer, and he’s determined to help Joe tell the real story of growing up with the two most famous celebrities in America. Even if it means going back to Joe’s homeland, with his image-conscious parents in tow. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–7—As a toddler, Joe went from being a Croatian war orphan to the adopted child of Hollywood A-listers. As a 13-year-old, he's convinced it was all a publicity stunt. When his parents decide it would be great PR for him to "write" his autobiography, ghostwriter Tom Dolan is hired. Joe, who feels as if he doesn't belong in this family, is determined to find out more about his birth parents, and Tom agrees to help him. A trip to Dubrovnik is planned, and Joe's father seizes it as an opportunity to kick off his campaign for senator by bringing the whole family—and a documentary filmmaker—along. Readers will most likely see before Joe does that his parents are guilty of nothing more than self-absorption, a flaw not limited to movie stars. But they will appreciate the widening of Joe's world as he makes friends with "ordinary people" connected to Tom and begins to see his parents through the eyes of others. Joe's belief that his birth father could still be alive adds some emotional heft, and the story's resolution makes for a satisfying ending.—Laurie Slagenwhite, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Steve Atinsky is also the author of Tyler on Prime Time. His T.V. writing credits include: the CBS sitcom Payne, Disney’s The Weekenders and World Cup Comedy.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (August 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385730497
• ISBN-13: 978-0385730495
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.8 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,034,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Put This Trophy On Your Shelf, April 25, 2009

By 

CD "devotedmomof7" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trophy Kid: Or How I Was Adopted by the Rich & Famous (Hardcover)

The news cameras happen to be rolling when an explosion unravels a young boy's life as he walks to school with his mother and sister. His Dad, a soldier, had already been killed when the Serbs blew up a bridge. The boy's mother had explained to Josef just days earlier that his father had gone to heaven. Now she and Josef's sister were missing as well.

Soldiers carry the three year old door to door until he recognizes his apt. Sadly, they realize that the boy is now an orphan. One of the soldiers tells Josef that they are going to take him back to the base, and his heart-wrenching response is broadcast across the airwaves, "Can we go to heaven first?"

An international bidding war begins for the boy who ultimately is adopted by the rich and famous Hollywood power couple, Robert and Greta. "Total payment for one Croatian orphan: [...] million."

The couple's PR manager and attorney, Lawrence Weinstein, encourages the now thirteen year old Josef to author a book on the story of his life. A wise New York Times writer co-pens the book for him and begins to hear the young boy's story of being used as a trophy kid for his glamorous parents. Tom dives into the thoughts of an adopted child as Josef relates his life under the spotlight.

All of this sounds rather morose and dreary, but Atinsky provides a humorous and captivating story of "knowing oneself". Joe is taken on a journey about himself literally and figuratively that helps him discover family.

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book!, February 15, 2009

By 

Sean K. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trophy Kid: Or How I Was Adopted by the Rich & Famous (Hardcover)

What a wonderful escape from today's constant barrage of bad news. A great read for anyone of any age who enjoys humor, great character development and a happy ending!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!, October 31, 2008

By 

BooksFoodFilmTV (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trophy Kid: Or How I Was Adopted by the Rich & Famous (Hardcover)

This book has surprising depth and sensitivity, considering its "ripped from the headlines" topic--a refugee kid who gets adopted by Hollywood types. It gives a kid's eye view of Hollywood lives, while at the same time exploring family dynamics and the universal adolescent question of "do these parents REALLY belong to me?" Well-written with believable and sympathetic characters, it's a book with a lot of heart. I also highly recommend Atinsky's first book, Tyler on Prime Time