Vol. 7, No. 1 November 2002
Book Review: Parents Wanted,
by George Harrar
Reviewed
by Cassandra Colson
Parents
Wanted, by George Harrar, is one of the best-written fiction stories
I have ever read. I would strongly recommend that all prospective foster
and adoptive parents read this book. Even though it is not a real account
of a persons life, it could be. Why? Because the majority of foster
and adopted children and teens feel their parents should be the ones
to suffer for their consequences.
I have never
read a fictional account of someones life that seemed so real.
In the book, the main character, Andy, has a birth mother who is just
no good. His birth father, whose only occupation was a thief,
puts Andy into DSS custody.
Andy, like
many children in DSS custody, has learned how to manipulate the system
and his guardians. And, thanks to his father, he knows how to steal.
Andy has learned one set of rules from his birth parents and he has
to learn another from his foster and adoptive parents.
When Andy
goes to live with his adoptive parents he carries all of these misguided
behaviors with him. He tells his adoptive parents, Jeff and Laurie,
anything they want to hear. He also decides that they are like all of
his past foster parents. So he begins to get into trouble so he can
get sent back to The Home (the group home he used to live
in) before he begins to like his new home. Andy is a very confused young
man who really needs the help of someone who can take the time to listen
to him and show him that he is worth fighting for.
What I really
have in common with Andy is the reason he wanted to be adopted. At first
he was interested in adoption simply because he was ready to get out
of the stinking group home he was living in, since it was
no fun. Eventually, though, he starts wanting parents who are cool and
who would love him for who he is, faults and all.
To find
out if this is really the kind of parents Jeff and Laurie are, Andy
decides to push them to the limit to test their patience and love. I
think that a lot of children in foster care feel this way. By the time
Andy discovers his testing tactics didnt work, it seems too late.
So Andy decides to falsely accuse Jeff of inappropriately touching him.
As a result, Andy must move back to The Home until things get straightened
out.
Andy really
learns a lesson about friendship and integrity when he gets back to
The Home. There he finds that his old friend, José, has a new
roommate and a new friend. This leaves Andy to really think about where
he wants his life to go now that he might not get a second chance.
The ending
of Parents Wanted is so true. Stories dont always have
to have a fairy tale ending when it comes to foster and adoptive families.
But things do get better and the people involved do become a family.
Thats what this story saysthat adoptive families arent
perfect and they definitely arent going to be peachy keen to start
off, but with time they can overcome their struggles and differences.
Cassandra
Chavis Colson is a former foster youth and a board member for the youth
advocacy group SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out).
Copyright �
2002 Jordan Institute for Families