Unadoptable Joy: A Memoir in Poetry and Prose

by J.L. Wright, Katherine Smith (Photographer)

Unadoptable A memoir in poetry and prose, is an honest, sometimes gut-wrenchingly heartfelt journey. J. L. Wright pens the path of a toddler hiding in the back of a closet, intoxicated by smelly wet black rubber galoshes to a life as a scarred child longing for adoption. As she develops, a lovingly imperfect foster family guides the course of her life.

From an abusive home in the Minneapolis projects, Joy was labeled “unadoptable” - doomed to the foster care system. But luck, or something else, landed Joy in a middle-class family that was willing to survive the system with her. In her memoir, Joy shares her early nightmares and the frustrations of living as 'Property of the State,' while celebrating the Wrights, her foster family.

Told largely in poetic verse, Joy’s stories continue to surprise with secrets and lessons of acceptance, while the reader must grapple with the many facets of growth, love, learning to trust and what it means to choose the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and to whom we belong.

This book captures the disconnect between reality and fantasy, the chasm between questions, answers, and resolution and the ultimate decision to live as their childhood dream family ending dies.

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2017

Reviews

[John Landmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of if not the best book I have ever read. It's insights into foster care and then finding your forever family delivered in through story and poetry is heartwarming and inspiring. I can hardly wait to read her other books. To summarize, this book is amazing, beautiful and heartfelt.

[Ellissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author pours her heart out onto the pages of this short but poignant book. She reveals her vulnerability and her strengths that were shaped in part from being a ward of the state, being separated from parents and siblings, the fear of not being accepted, and the possibility of being removed from her new home. Through prose and poetry vignettes, the reader glimpses the life of one who questioned her worthiness. With the voice of a child the author captures normal pangs of growing up complicated by the real or imagined stigma of “being different.” Unlike the horror stories about foster care, the author’s foster care parents were true parents to her. Mutual love and affection are warmly expressed. The grief and acceptance of her foster parents’ deaths is very touching. Those who are experiencing or have experienced foster care would especially appreciate this book.

[Joy Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, interesting, and open for interpretation. I love the format and art, too.