The Snake-Stone

by Berlie Doherty

James is adopted. He knows that to work out his future he has to make sense of his past. He embarks on a journey to find his birth-mother who tells her own story in this moving and powerful novel. James’s adoptive parents are proud of his talent and determination. He’s in training for the Junior National Diving Competition. But when he discovers the snake-stone in a box with his other ‘belongings’ from his time as an abandoned baby, he determines to set out on a quest to find his birth mother. He must make sense of his past if he is to work out his future. James travels to the Derbyshire Peak District to begin his search. Events leading up to James conception and birth are told in his birth-mother’s own voice, in flashbacks, and the most moving, poignant and powerful story is told.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction

Paperback

First published May 25, 1995

About the author

Berlie Doherty née Hollingsworth is an English novelist, poet, playwright and screenwriter. She is best known for children's books, for which she has twice won the Carnegie Medal.She has also written novels for adults, plays for theatre and radio, television series and libretti for children's opera.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this because the class I'm teaching is currently reading it. I was pretty annoyed with the main character all throughout the book. The story didn't satisfy me at all. I don't know what it is, but I wanted more.

[Carlotta* · Rating 4 out of 5]

(review in Italian below - recensione in italiano a seguire)

I'm particularly attached to this book as it makes me think about a friend of mine.
Interesting coming-of-age story about James, a teenager fond of diving, who decides to go look for his birth mother after finding a couple of her belongings and a piece of paper with half an address on it.
A recommended reading about adoption, the relationship with adoptive parents and the desire of finding one's own roots and a sense of belonging.

Incipit
«I have a stone that looks like a snake: all curled up. It's my most precious thing. I've had it since I was born, you see.
Do you ever think about being born?
No. I don't either. But what I do think about is this - did my mother want me?»
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Un libro a cui sono affezionata, mi fa pensare ad un amico.
James, un adolescente campione di tuffi, decide di andare in cerca della propria madre naturale, dopo aver trovato un paio di suoi oggetti e un mezzo indirizzo su un foglietto spiegazzato.

E' stato tradotto in italiano con il titolo impensabile e improponibile "Le due vite di James il tuffatore" **. Il titolo originale "The snake-stone" fa riferimento all'oggetto fulcro del libro, lasciato a James dalla madre naturale: una pietra-serpente, cioè un fossile di ammonite. La sua forma arrotolata è simile alla posizione che James assume prima di lanciarsi in un tuffo. James scoprirà di aver ereditato il suo talento per i tuffi proprio dalla madre, che eseguiva il tuffo allo stesso modo.

[**Che poi qualcuno (ehm) potrebbe anche far presente che non si tratta di due vite diverse, che incontrare la propria madre naturale e assumere una nuova consapevolezza di sé renderà James più sicuro e più sereno nella sua (unica) vita futura.]

Una lettura consigliata sul tema dell'adozione, sul rapporto con i genitori adottivi, sul desiderio di scoprire le proprie radici e un senso di appartenenza.

[Isla Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story with some nice themes/sentiments - food for thought for any kids considering running away to find their birth parents, I suppose. Things don't go entirely to plan but as a kids/YA book, its at least somewhat believeable and a pretty easy story to follow. Not bad.

[karie krysiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute decent read
loved when james/sammy meets his mother, it was simple yet perfect. and how it ended that at the end of the day they were both content with their lives, now that they know how the other is (if that makes sense)

[Karen Cleverdon · Rating 3 out of 5]

9

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit long for such a simple story. I've had this since middle school and I'm trying to empty my shelf so to the little library it goes!

[Alex Klarth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toccante, ma a volte un po' noioso. Forse perché l'ho letto in italiano, che non è la mia lingua madre...

[Balasubasaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

good quick read! topics covered are finding oneself, running away, and gratefulness for what one has.

[Isaiha Symes · Rating 5 out of 5]

i learned that it is hard wondering who your mother is
and i think (james) is strong for setting out and trying to find hus birth mother and while competing in swimming tournaments.james is a strong kid i think anyone is to read this book it is a priceless book.$

[Hermioneginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

La grande passione di James sono i tuffi, infatti si sta allenando per una campionato nazionale. Ma dentro di sé, un segreto lo sta logorando: vuole conoscere la sua madre biologica, e sarà disposto a tutto per farlo...

Poco approfondito psicologicamente.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

my fave book. have read it 7 times!

[Elizabeth Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book to read.