The Boy Who Wanted a Family by Charles Robinson, reviewed by Kari

This book touches on important issues concerning adoption and single-parent families. Young Michael wants a real family with real parents, instead of being moved through a succession of foster homes. He is adopted by a single woman named Miss Graham and, though wary of rejection, he begins to make friends with her and in his new neighborhood. The end of the book finds Miss Graham and Michael talking about how much Michael’s real mother would have loved him if she could have kept him, and planning for the future together. The story is a touching one, and would be useful to explain adoption and single parenting to children. I would also include it in my collection as another example of a different shape and size of family.