An-Ya and Her Diary

by Diane René Christian

What happens when all that is familiar disappears...when everything you see, taste, smell, feel, hear....is suddenly gone and lost to the other side of the world? Enter the world of An-Ya and Her Diary... 'An-Ya and Her Diary' chronicles the journey of an 11 year old adoptee from China. Written in diary format, young An-Ya reveals her emotional journey as she is catapulted from a Chinese orphanage into a middle class home in America. The diary, into which she journals, was the only item left with An-Ya when she was found as an infant. For 11 years An-Ya has left the diary blank as she patiently waited in China for her biological family to return. Ultimately, after her adoption to America, she feels compelled to write her story down. Inside her diary she strives to connect the two severed worlds in which she has lived. An-Ya's story is one of incredible loss, filled with painful transitions and longed for hope. It is a story that will linger with you after its final page is turned.

Genres: Adoption, China

262 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2012

About the author

Diane René Christian is an award winning short story writer turned
novelist. Her work has appeared in various print and electronic publications.

Diane René Christian was raised in Pennsylvania and spent her childhood years playing in the fields of Valley Forge Park. She now resides in the Pacific Northwest.

Christian's family tree has been shaped by adoption in many ways. Her paternal grandfather and her father were both adopted. She is also an adoptive mother to two children.

In 2005 she traveled to China to adopt her youngest daughter. A year and a half later she returned to China to adopt her oldest daughter. Christian's novel 'An-Ya and Her Diary' is dedicated to her children.

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A realistic and touching fictional (though believable) account of being adopted as an older child from a foreign culture. I saw many of my own adopted daughter’s experiences and reactions throughout the book. The “12-year-old’s romance with language way beyond her capability” was an unnecessary distraction in an otherwise engaging read.

[Kimberly Schaaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of An-Ya and Her Diary by Diane Rene Christian
Reviewed by Kimberly Schaaf (YATR Review Panel)

I was intrigued by the description of this book. It actually made me think of my boss at work and her two adopted daughters from China. So, when asked to read for a review, I gladly said yes.

I really love the idea behind the story. Looking at the life of a newly adopted 11 year old girl (who turns 12 during the story...) was interesting. I never really thought about how hard of an adjustment that is, especially for an older child. I guess I've only ever thought about babies being adopted from China. And babies don't remember much...but 11 year old's do.

I find it interesting that An-Ya names her diary, Penny. A book that ties her to her past - a past that she doesn't really even understand. Such deep questions and emotions are written in this diary.

An-Ya is such a great spirited girl. You can tell that she wants to make the best of her new situation with "Wanna and Daddy", but really isn't quite sure how. I wonder if all 11 year old girls analyze things as much as An-Ya does!!

I loved watching the progression of An-Ya and her relationships with her new family. Especially with her sister Ellie.

I do have to admit that the book was a little slow to start, but definitely picks up towards the end. An-Ya and her family are faced with some difficulties through the book and watching An-Ya's reaction to things...and the progression of it all was really kinda cool.

I think that the author did a great job of illustrating the emotions of a newly adopted young girl. I have a new appreciation for anyone involved with that experience. Not just the adopted child, but also the people that surround them...trying to make them feel welcomed, and wanted, and loved.

[Laura Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

While An-Ya and Her Diary is a work of fiction, this touching story of a young international adoptee's journey to find her place in her new family will give much needed insight into the adoptee perspective.

The emotions and experiences that author Diane Rene Christian captures--solely within the construct of the diary of a young international adoptee--are wide-ranging, simple yet deep. An-Ya is a girl on the cusp of teenagehood, an orphaned child with a talent for languagues, a person who had a difficult life, but through her own resilience and intellect will find peace and happiness.

I highly recommend this quick-to-read and hard-to-forget book for anyone touched by adoption. It will provide insight into the adoptee experience, and expand your understanding of just how difficult it can be for international adoptees to make their way in their new lives.

Laura Dennis
author, Adopted Reality, A Memoir

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

((Freebie on Amazon/Kindle))


Honestly, I don’t know why I liked this as much as I did..

It’s literally 220 diary entries from a 12 year old Chinese girl, who was adopted by an American couple. It’s her thoughts about her time in China, and its about her feelings of being lost, and found, and first love, and all these other things 12 year olds think about..

Again.. I honestly, have no idea why I liked this as much as I did. Maybe it was the diary entries, because I am a sucker for epistolary ‎books? Maybe it was the writing? Or maybe it was just how you couldn’t help but be on An-ya’s side?

Either way, it worked. It really works, and I loved it!

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a thirteen year old and I loved An-Ya. The book was a very engaging and a fast, but a well paced read. An-Ya and all the characters in the story were well developed and their stories, feelings and personalities were all easy to relate to. There aren't many fiction books out there that are written about adoptees like me. The good and the bad sides. I think this book is a good read for teens and adults. Whether they've been through a part of adoption or are just looking for a great book. An-Ya covers loss, love, family, anger, predjudice, pride, the whole package! I enjoyed the book from beginning to end!

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books read this year. An-Ya starts as a very distant character. The story is hard to get into, but slowly she opens up. She shares more and more. I cried so much and cheered when she started to accept her adoptive family. It is written as entries into the blank diary her mother left her when An-Ya was a baby. This brings out her jumbled emotions more and also her memories of the orphanage in China. Great story about what maturity really means. Growing, but not growing up too fast.

*Got a copy from PortlandBookReview.com

[Diane Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to all of the brilliant voices who contributed to the An-Ya and Her Diary: Reader and Parent Guide! Contributors Include: Stephanie Kripa Cooper-Lewter, Ph.D., L.M.S.W., poet Lee Herrick, Amanda H.L. Transue-Woolston, BSW, Jennifer Bao Yu “Precious Jade” Jue-Steuck, Susan Branco Alvarado, MA Ed, LPC and writer Matthew Salesses. Also my lovely Interview Team: Phoebe Peachment & Sabrina Orlins. A very special thank you to all of the young readers who contributed their 'Reflections' to the guide!

[Pinkwiggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! more importantly, my internationally adopted tween daughter loved it! She insisted I read it out loud to her at bedtime, and we haven't had bedtime stories in years. An-ya's narrative balances her new family, her memories of China, and coming-of-age issues in a beautiful and heart-centric way. There is a dirth of adoption stories for tween readers, so I have to recommend this book for thatreason am ne; but even if there was plenty to choose from, I would still give this one a double thumbs up.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into this book from the first page to the last, a great book for young adults, you watch An-Ya go from a young Chinese girl, who is adopted by an American couple thrust into a life unlike she has ever known, she is bitter and angry, and wants to go back to the orphanage in China, but slowly she adapts to her life in America, and even begins to care about her new family. Excellent book!!!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realy compelling it style is bit old fasioned with a mordern touch which realy works. It'a a realy well wrote storyline. It has meny plot such as An-Ya getting to love her new family, missing Abby, first cruch, falling out with friends etc. I think this should be used in schools because it eplains inportet matters while remaing intersting and people will still want to read it.

[Allison Branscombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly researched and written, a chronicle of the challenges of an older child adoption from China. Fast paced and plain spoken, An-Ya clearly communicates her emotions in a very accessible way. Adoptive parents will learn much about the inner thoughts of adoptees in this very human story. I loved this book!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed this book very much. I liked seeing the progression of An-Ya adapting to her new home and it was an easy read. The only thing I didn't like was the ending. It was a bit too abrupt.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was extremly good because it told how hard it can be to get adopted in china. the girl in this story wasn't happy with the family who adopted her at first, but when a tragity hits she realizes how much she loves her new family.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book with insight into the experience of an adopted 11 year old girl from China. It made me cry and laugh. As an adoptive mom, it helped me understand some of my children's behavior and reactions.

[Trene1968 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i first read this to myself over a year ago. this time, I read it aloud to the girls. such a brave, beautiful book - the author did not shy away from the sometimes dark parts of orphanage life - nor the tough parts of bonding in adoption.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through a GR giveaway. It was so-so. I really didn't like the diary-like format but that is just personal preference. There was a good story line though.

[Marie]

After reading the description of An-Ya and Her Diary I was intrigued so I entered the first-reads giveaway and to my delight I was a winner! Looking forward to reading this book.

[Journeywoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one night. It was a truly brilliant book about an 11-year old who was adopted from China.

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book!!!It's the best book I ever read!!!I enjoyed An-Ya and I will tresher it forever!!! I liked An-Ya because I related to her because she is adopted and Chinese too!!!

[Alison]

Kindle 263 (adoption)