Finding Joy

by Marion Coste, Yong Chen (Illustrator)

A mother makes the long journey to China to see her new baby for the first time. When Shu-li is born, her parents wrap her in a blanket and take her to town. The government says that a family is allowed to have only one child. So they lay Shu-li on the ground beneath a bridge. On her blanket they pin a note that reads THIS IS OUR SHU-LI. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF HER. NO ROOM FOR GIRLS. Fortunately, Shu-li is found and taken to an orphanage. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a husband and wife in North America hope to adopt a baby from China.

Genres: Adoption, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of an American family adopting a Chinese baby girl, for young children.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story for kids to help them understand the One Child Policy and how adoption works

[Laura Mincey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding Joy is a sweet story about the adoption of a Chinese girl who was abandoned by her birth mother and father. Readers learn in this book that China only allows families to have one child to control the population. More girls are abandoned in China than boys, so Joy had a great risk of being left behind by her mother and father. This sets up a social studies lesson on world issues and the conditions of other countries. However, good news coming later on in the story when Joy is adopted from her orphanage by a white, American mother and father who are looking for a daughter to love. This book explores world issues as well as adoption. This would be a great book for students who have been adopted, particularity from Asia. Classrooms can be exposed to different family dynamics when being introduced to this book which does a great job exploring multicultural families and adoption.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joy-filled illustrations that are especially effective in the eyes, smiles, and hands. The narrative is a great entry for discussing adoption with children, possibly their own. Hopefully this simple story isn't used as a motivator for the much more complicated process of adopting and then raising children who, for good or less-than-good reasons, live with a deep sense of being detached, no matter how much love they are showered with. "Joy is someone being glad to be with you."

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

I nice book but nothing really special. An older couple with teen children adopt a baby girl from China. It does give some more background to Joy's story/life (the baby girl who was adopted) than some other books. The watercolor illustrations are also beautiful.

[Monique Mcdonald]

This book is about a Chinese girl who is found outside in China. Miles away there is a family who wants to adopt a baby, and she is the chosen one. She was excited bringing her back home, and so were all of the family members who waited for her family members.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful, sensitive book about adoption

[ReadingWench · Rating 2 out of 5]

AR 3.0

[Am.Aversa]

After being abandoned under a bridge by her family in China, Joy is adopted by an American family. I think this would be really good to have in the classroom because some students may be able to relate to being adopted.
Genre: Historical Fiction