Star of the Week - Darlene Friedman

Star of the Week: A Story of Love, Adoption and Brownies with Sprinkles  - by Darlene Friedman

My journey to parenthood and adoption didn’t take a straight trajectory (wasn’t it John Lennon who said “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans?”). In my case, the plan was to live happily with my husband, Roger, sans children. At the time, it seemed like the right course for us. But things change and after a series of events— including a segment on China adoption on “The Today Show” that deeply affected me, and good friends who surprised us with the news they had adopted a daughter from China—we reconsidered our childless status. Before we knew it, we were full swing into our “paper pregnancy.”

As someone who has worked for an international woman’s organization (Soroptimist) for the major part of my career, I was knowledgeable about and sensitive to the plight of girls in China (and many other parts of the world). Although attitudes and cultural norms are slowly changing, the status of girl babies in China continues to be precarious, particularly in rural areas. So the thought of parenting a girl-child was very appealing to both my husband and me.

We returned home from China in November 1998 with our beautiful daughter, Eden. We quickly plugged into the many available resources, including membership in Families with Children from China, and a subscription to Adoptive Families. The Tapestry website was particularly helpful in directing us to appropriate books ( Over the Moon by Karen Katz was our favorite).

Roger and I are blessed (although sometimes it’s a curse!) with an exceptionally bright and sensitive daughter. We made her birth story a regular part of our lives and she started asking questions—and expressing profound grief—at a very early age.

As she grew older and started spending more time away from us, we realized that as wonderful as the resources and communities are, they couldn’t protect our little girl. Schools, even in “good” school districts, can be a battleground for kids who were adopted (or who have anything that sets them apart, for that matter). And it only gets worse. Now that Eden’s in middle school, her issues around adoption (not looking like her parents, being a minority, etc.), have escalated. She routinely hears racial/cultural epithets even though her school has “zero tolerance” for this kind of behavior.

It’s been awful to watch Eden struggle, knowing our ability to ease her pain is limited. For a while we worked with a great therapist who specializes in adoption (she is an adoptive parent with a Chinese daughter). We only went for a handful of sessions but just being heard by someone other than her parents was incredibly validating for our daughter. As her mother, I’ve tried to relate to Eden by sharing my own experiences. I was picked on as a child and also knew what it felt like to be a minority (I’m Jewish). But Eden quickly pointed out that at least I looked like my parents and “no one knows you’re Jewish just by looking at you.” True enough.

I should point out that our daughter’s struggles wax and wane. She is basically a happy kid—smart, funny, talented, and beautiful—who loves her family, her friends, her dogs and her life. But every now and then she hits an incredibly painful rough patch.

Roger and I came up with the idea for our book after going through the Star of the Week ritual many times with our daughter in grade school. It invariably brought up questions from her, and comments from her classmates. We recognized a void in children’s literature dealing with adoption within the school setting. We wanted to introduce the idea of adoption (and in this case, international adoption) in a non-threatening way, and help make it okay for children who might feel different for any number of reasons—unusual family situation, learning differences, etc. There is no shortage of things that kids can get called on.

Our book tells the story of one family with one particular set of circumstances. Yet it portrays those qualities that are universal: loving family, loving friends, loving pets, well-rounded and full life. We are gratified that early reviews in Adoptive Families magazine and School Library Journal recognized the book’s intent to start a healthy dialogue and cement the idea that what we share as humans on this planet is far greater than our differences.

 

Darlene Friedman is the author of Star of the Week: A Story of Love, Adoption and Brownies with Sprinkles, published by HarperCollins. An award-winning writer and editor, she serves as senior director of membership/marketing for Soroptimist, an international woman’s organization headquartered in Philadelphia. Her husband, Roger Roth, an award-winning children’s book illustrator, did the pictures for Star of the Week.

  

Comments

[Wendy Wilen]

Darlene does a great job highlighting the sensitive topic of adoption. The love and closeness of her own family is apparent. The illustrations are fabulous as well. Great talent all around!

[Hilary Williams]

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! As a classroom reading teacher, I see so many possibilities to use this loving story with my students. The writing really captured the emotions of Cassidy-Li as she struggled to find her identity and come to terms with her longing to know about her roots. This book expressed a very complex problem in such a simple, easily understood way. It can really help all children to examine who they are and why their family history is so important. I see lots of writing assignments in my student's future. Mrs. Friedman is a wonderful, expressive writer, and I hope to see more from her in the future. Mr. Roth is a gifted illustrator. Each time I reread a page, I saw something new in his art work. What a winning team they are, and how lucky their daughter is to have such talented parents.

[Elizabeth McChesney]

As a Children's Librarian and Mom of two children adopted from China, I find Star of the Week to be among the very best stories I've found. Darlene's story rings true with the voice, the sweet chracter and the thoughts of an adoptee. My two daughters drank this book in and are coming back to it again and again as a touchstone for so many of the themes in the book. Please bring Cassidy-Li back in another book...or--better yet-- a series. She's an endearing character who has a lot to say to other children who are adopted and a lot to tell teachers, parents and classmates. Bravo and thank you so much for this invaluable addition to the shelves of children's literature.

[Cheryl Matticks]

Star of the Week is a book that touched my heart. It deals with an important topic in such a loving manner. The warmness and closeness of their family shines through in the book. I also love the illustrations. I think Darlene and Roger should create a series of books on the topic. I have already recommended Star of the Week to my friends and family!

[Jennifer Jump]

Immediately after I read Star of the Week, I emailed Ms. Friedman to thank her and her husband for such a "lovely, touching, fun and honest book that I look forward to reading with my adopted son." I also wrote that I hope they “collaborate on more adoptive picture books in the future!”

As a teacher of second graders for over thirteen years, I know how difficult “Star of the Week” can be for some students. I believe Ms. Friedman’s book will help open up the lines of communication for my son and others as well as show how wonderful and special the “Star of the Week” experience can be!

Today I am going to buy three more copies for my friends who also have children they adopted from Russia.

Thanks again Ms. Friedman!!!