Trophy Kid: Or How I Was Adopted by the Rich & Famous

by Steve Atinsky

THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD Joe is the ultimate trophy kid. His adoptive parents are Hollywood’s favorite power couple, Academy Award–winning actress Greta Powell and actor/director/political candidate Robert Francis. Life with them has been one big photo-op since Joe became a war orphan at the ripe old age of three. And what better way for Greta and Robert to celebrate how far Joe’s come—and how much they’ve helped him—than for Joe to describe his experiences in a moving autobiography?
Of course, Greta and Robert don’t actually intend for Joe to write the book himself. Or for him to include any unflattering details about them. That’s why they’ve hired an experienced professional for the job. But Tom Dolan is no ordinary writer, and he’s determined to help Joe tell the real story of growing up with the two most famous celebrities in America. Even if it means going back to Joe’s homeland, with his image-conscious parents in tow. . . .

Genres: Adoption, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Humor, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Steve Atinsky has written for the CBS sitcom Payne and Disney’s The Weekenders. He is also the author of Tyler on Prime Time. He lives in Santa Monica, California.

Reviews

[Raina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story of a boy born in Yugoslavia who figured prominently in an iconic photograph of the war. After he was rescued, celebrity actors paid millions of dollars to adopt him, so he considers himself the trophy kid.

The hook and set up is nice, will be easy to booktalk, but my adult eyes got a little annoyed with the voice of the kid. I'm having a hard time articulating the issue, but there are a lot of "I couldn't help but notice..." and "I had to admit..." - a lot of statements that I can't see a real thirteen admitting, even in print. There was also a little bleed in perspective - we could occasionally hear what the other characters were intending. Also, a lot of modifying adjectives. The boy seemed a little too self-aware. And of course, the ending is WAY too pat. But it's a solid 5th/6th grade booktalk. And it really wasn't nearly as bad as I'm sure you think after reading that. :)

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, much better than I had anticipated. I thought it would be funny/silly, but not at all. Good background on the Serbo-Croatian War, information on Croatia, excellent portrayal of an adopted child from another country. Relevant to celebrities that adopt foreign-born children. Recommend to 5th/6th grade.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joe, a war orphan, was adopted by two of the most famous movie stars in the world, Robert and Greta. Lucky break, right? He doesn't seem to think so. He decides to write a tell-all autobiography that will expose the sham that is his family life. His adoptive parents are actually supportive of this book writing venture; some good publicity will be a boon for Robert's upcoming Senate campaign.

The premise of this book is amusing - too bad the characters fall flat inside the confines of the pages. And then, the structure of the book falls apart when the book's location changes from Los Angeles to Dubrovnik. Basically, I felt like Joe was whining. The. Entire. Time. His movie-star parents didn't seem too bad at all, if a little detached. And the more we find out about Joe's backstory, the reader sees how much Robert and Greta sacrificed to adopt Joe. Of course, by the saccharine ending, Joe comes to a realization about the true nature of his parents, but... it doesn't really work.

What's worse, I feel like Atinsky sets up the premise for an interesting mystery. The shady uncle figure from Croatia, the mysterious letters, the long-lost governess... and the entire plot-line is cleared up in two pages at the end of the book. And let's talk about the ending - really? That was it? Nothing more? I kept flipping the pages, thinking that there was something, anything else.

I flew through the first 50 pages, but once the plot got in the way, the book never recovered. Will kids like this? I'm not too sure. It's been checked out three times since we bought it last year, so... maybe? But not an overwhelming success.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The news cameras happen to be rolling when an explosion unravels a young boy's life as he walks to school with his mother and sister. His Dad, a soldier, had already been killed when the Serbs blew up a bridge. The boy's mother had explained to Josef just days earlier that his father had gone to heaven. Now she and Josef's sister were missing as well.

Soldiers carry the three year old door to door until he recognizes his apartment. Sadly, they realize that the boy is now an orphan. One of the soldiers tells Josef that they are going to take him back to the base, and his heart-wrenching response is broadcast across the airwaves, "Can we go to heaven first?"

An international bidding war begins for the boy who ultimately is adopted by the rich and famous Hollywood power couple, Robert and Greta. "Total payment for one Croatian orphan: [...] million."

The couple's PR manager and attorney, Lawrence Weinstein, encourages the now thirteen year old Josef to author a book on the story of his life. A wise New York Times writer co-pens the book for him and begins to hear the young boy's story of being used as a trophy kid for his glamorous parents. Tom dives into the thoughts of an adopted child as Josef relates his life under the spotlight.

All of this sounds rather morose and dreary, but Atinsky provides a humorous and captivating story of "knowing oneself". Joe is taken on a journey about himself literally and figuratively that helps him discover family.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first thing I thought of while reading this book was Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. As famous actors they too have had their own children and adopted orphans from around the world. The reason I first picked up this book is because I thought the story plot was very current and interesting. However I don't think the author did a very good job with the final outcome. Most of the story line feels fairly believable until the end. We are always lead to believe that the Francis family adopted Josef to polish their hollywood image. And from Josef's perspective it seemed like a credible idea. However at the end of the story we find out that Robert and Greta are just wonderful misunderstood parents who always had Josef's best interest in mind. But I just don't buy it. You can't just tie up all the loose ends within a few pages and make it believable.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review
This was... boring. I grabbed it to booktalk for middle school students, and I will, but it took me two weeks to read a 184 page book. There's just sort of a low level of anything interesting happening.

Plot
Joe has lived with his adopted family for the past ten years, and he's tired of getting coached on what to say and how to act in front of the media. Especially because famous Greta and Robert just seem to use him as their "trophy kid." Afterall, they saved [or rather won the bid for] the three year old when he was orphaned in former Yugoslavia. Seriously, they were just trying to save their butts after several scandals.

Now, Joe's adoptive father, Robert, schemes to improve his image of future US Senator, by using Joe. The plan? Joe writes his autobiography telling the world how wonderful his adoptive family is; however, Joe won't be allowed to give much input because Robert's secret agenda involves a ghostwriter who will be praising Joe's adoptive parents. Joe thinks his adopted dad might be a little bit surprised about the book he actually wants to write!

It seemed like maybe Tom and Jessica were setting up to adopt Joe, but instead he realizes his adoptive parents do care about him afterall. The moral is: appreciate what you have, you spoiled sad kid [sarcasm there... I cannot imagine how awful living in a family of celebrities would be!].

[Kumari Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe was adopted by his Academy Award winning parents, Greta Powell and Robert Francis at the age of three. Joe, now in middle school, never feels that he is a part of the family and often reminisces about his deceased family in Yugoslavia. When his father insists that he write a book about his life so far, which Joe only sees as a ploy for his father’s new foray into politics, he is forced to work with Tom Dolan, a ghost writer. With the help of Tom, Joe is able to express himself when they go in search of something that will change his life and his relationship with his parents forever. I don't think there is just one theme. This novel expresses various themes similar to the lives of young children.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a great light read and a relaxing story. The plot was kind of cheesy and was way over the top but sets a great tone for some of the finer details. The book is about a boy who is orphaned at a young age (cliché, I know) and was adopted by movie stars. This is a run down of his life told through an autobiography he is writing in the book. I was confused by that too but al in all this book is a fun story but you won't find a great read here.

[Pandora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has a good sense of humor and present an unreal fantasy life (at least for most of us) with realistic wramth. The ending is very well done because not only does Joe's parnents have to learn but, so does Joe.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for boys 4 to 6 grade

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book. It deals with Croatia so of course I love it! Really funny when you think of the celebrity adoption hype. Well done.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, quick read. Found it on the shelf and thought, what the hay. May as well read it (comments edited as this book is shelved in J FIC).

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a thoughtful twist on the usual hollywood story.

[Erin (work) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously under appreciated book.

[Kelseylethco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book because the kid in it is from Croatia. It was a fun book.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty implausible, even with all of the celebrity adoptions. I didn't much like the main character, but I came around.

[Lara Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with likable characters, a little history and geography, a couple self-absorbed movie stars, and a lot of heart. Highly recommend!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree that the ending was wrapped up quickly, but I thought it was an interesting view of the celebrities adopting kids trend. A good read.

[Mbobrosky · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have all heard about Brad and Angelina's adoptions. Famous Hollywood celebrities have a habit of gaining publicity by adopting a foreign under-privileged child. Imagine what it might be like to BE one of those children. That is the premise of Trophy Kid...
At three years old, Josef is orphaned when his parents are killed during the civil war in Croatia. Robert Francis and Greta Powell, Hollywood super-stars step in and out bid all others to adopt Josef, or Joe. Fast-forward, and Joe is now 13, and given the task of writing a book about his experience, with the help of Tom, a writer that never gets credit for his work. As Joe and Tom discuss Joe's past, several questions come up. Are Greta and Robert self-serving ego maniacs? Has their over-protection been hiding the truth? Is Robert's father really alive? Get a peek at the Hollywood lifestyle as Joe searches for the answers, and learns what family really is. Simply written, with little characterization or detail, plot moves along swiftly. Atinsky has written for his target audience, 10 to 12 year old tweens. Great for reluctant readers.