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Connecting Threads: Five Siblings Lost and Found
Winner of The Procedure Awards - Uncommon Bold, Long List, January 2026, and The Wishing Shelf Awards - Finalist, March 2026. Also notable graphic novel on Graphic Medicine International - Spotlighted, 2025.
This adoptee graphic memoir, Connecting Threads: Five Siblings Lost and Found, is a powerful story of identity, belonging, and the resilience of the human spirit. All were separated by foster care and closed adoptions. One sibling’s life and search for first family, belonging, and culture, one thread at a time.
These siblings of Indigenous and European heritage floundered trying to find identity when their own was hidden by closed adoption and a system that kept them unaware that other siblings existed. It took perseverance to find each other over decades.
This adoptee graphic memoir, Connecting Threads: Five Siblings Lost and Found, is a powerful story of identity, belonging, and the resilience of the human spirit. All were separated by foster care and closed adoptions. One sibling’s life and search for first family, belonging, and culture, one thread at a time.
These siblings of Indigenous and European heritage floundered trying to find identity when their own was hidden by closed adoption and a system that kept them unaware that other siblings existed. It took perseverance to find each other over decades.
- GenresGraphic Novels
116 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 16, 2025
Quirky and unique graphic novel describing the complexity of adoption.
July 15, 2026
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Connecting Threads: Five Siblings Lost and Found
Author: E M Blake
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 2/5
Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
8 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘clarity of message’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
Female, 42
I wasn't expecting a graphic memoir to affect me quite so deeply, but Connecting Threads completely drew me in. The illustrations add so much emotion to an already powerful true story, and I found myself thinking about the author and her siblings long after I'd finished. A beautifully honest and unforgettable read.
Male, 58
At first I thought it would simply be a memoir about adoption, but it's so much more than that. It's about identity, family, resilience, and never giving up on finding where you belong.
The artwork works perfectly alongside the writing, making the emotions feel even more personal. Some of the reunions genuinely gave me goosebumps. I raced through it in an evening and immediately recommended it to my wife.
Female, 34
What I loved most was how real everything felt. There are heartbreaking moments, but they're balanced with hope, humour and determination. The graphic novel format makes such a difficult subject surprisingly accessible, and I found myself completely invested in every page.
Whether you've been touched by adoption or not, there's something universally relatable about searching for your roots and wanting to understand where you came from. A truly moving memoir.
Male, 67
I've read plenty of memoirs over the years, but this one stands out as it tells such a personal story in such an original way. The illustrations don't just accompany the words—they become part of the storytelling. Watching the threads of one family's history slowly reconnect was incredibly satisfying.
The author writes with honesty rather than bitterness, which I really appreciated. Even when describing painful experiences in foster care and adoption, there's an underlying sense of hope that carries you through. It's an inspiring book that deserves a wide audience.
Female, 49
An emotional, uplifting and beautifully illustrated memoir that had me smiling through tears. I couldn't put it down.
Male, 39
I picked this up because I was curious about the graphic memoir format, and I'm so glad I did. The combination of artwork, photographs and straightforward storytelling makes it feel incredibly personal—as though the author is sitting across the table sharing her life with you.
The story of five siblings separated through foster care and adoption is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Every discovery, every coincidence and every reunion felt genuinely earned, and I was rooting for the family all the way through. It's a reminder that even after years apart, the bonds of family can survive against the odds.
If you enjoy memoirs that are honest, compassionate and full of heart, I'd happily recommend Connecting Threads. It's one of those books that's easy to read but impossible to forget.
To Sum It Up:
‘A deeply moving graphic memoir about five siblings separated by foster care and adoption who embark on an emotional journey to reconnect with each other, their family, and their cultural roots. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Connecting Threads: Five Siblings Lost and Found
Author: E M Blake
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 2/5
Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
8 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘clarity of message’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
Female, 42
I wasn't expecting a graphic memoir to affect me quite so deeply, but Connecting Threads completely drew me in. The illustrations add so much emotion to an already powerful true story, and I found myself thinking about the author and her siblings long after I'd finished. A beautifully honest and unforgettable read.
Male, 58
At first I thought it would simply be a memoir about adoption, but it's so much more than that. It's about identity, family, resilience, and never giving up on finding where you belong.
The artwork works perfectly alongside the writing, making the emotions feel even more personal. Some of the reunions genuinely gave me goosebumps. I raced through it in an evening and immediately recommended it to my wife.
Female, 34
What I loved most was how real everything felt. There are heartbreaking moments, but they're balanced with hope, humour and determination. The graphic novel format makes such a difficult subject surprisingly accessible, and I found myself completely invested in every page.
Whether you've been touched by adoption or not, there's something universally relatable about searching for your roots and wanting to understand where you came from. A truly moving memoir.
Male, 67
I've read plenty of memoirs over the years, but this one stands out as it tells such a personal story in such an original way. The illustrations don't just accompany the words—they become part of the storytelling. Watching the threads of one family's history slowly reconnect was incredibly satisfying.
The author writes with honesty rather than bitterness, which I really appreciated. Even when describing painful experiences in foster care and adoption, there's an underlying sense of hope that carries you through. It's an inspiring book that deserves a wide audience.
Female, 49
An emotional, uplifting and beautifully illustrated memoir that had me smiling through tears. I couldn't put it down.
Male, 39
I picked this up because I was curious about the graphic memoir format, and I'm so glad I did. The combination of artwork, photographs and straightforward storytelling makes it feel incredibly personal—as though the author is sitting across the table sharing her life with you.
The story of five siblings separated through foster care and adoption is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Every discovery, every coincidence and every reunion felt genuinely earned, and I was rooting for the family all the way through. It's a reminder that even after years apart, the bonds of family can survive against the odds.
If you enjoy memoirs that are honest, compassionate and full of heart, I'd happily recommend Connecting Threads. It's one of those books that's easy to read but impossible to forget.
To Sum It Up:
‘A deeply moving graphic memoir about five siblings separated by foster care and adoption who embark on an emotional journey to reconnect with each other, their family, and their cultural roots. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews