Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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!

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