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Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-57131-633-2
Pages: 288
Publish Date: Dec, 2001
Genre: Young Readers
Parents Wanted
BY George Harrar
Andy Fleck searches to find the meaning of family and what it means to both trust and be trusted. He challenges every limit that is set—stealing, playing “mailbox baseball,” and finally by accusing his soon-to-be father of inappropriately touching him. But reporting a false accusation has its own consequences and now Andy must fight to save his soon-to-be father’s reputation and his own chance at having a real family.
Beneath his wise-cracking exterior, Andy is searching for trust and trying hard to accept the rules of family life. The rules are challenged by his real father, who lives by a different set of rules and shows up asking for money after getting out of prison. Andy finds some much needed support from the supposedly mean old man of the neighborhood, Mr. Lucinski, who helps him see that facing your fears is better than running from them. Most of all he learns trust from his new parents, who refuse to give up on him.
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:
The Trouble with Jeremy Chance
George Harrar's second book for young readers brings a bit of Tom Sawyer to New England in a rollicking plot that rises to an unexpected—and historically accurate—climax on the streets of
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“Harrar has authentically portrayed a young teenage boy, dealing not only with the pressures of adolescence and ADD, but also with the challenges of fitting into his adoptive family. The plot of this piece of realistic fiction is well developed and well paced. Andy's shifting emotions are revealed in a poignant, but natural manner, and despite his problems, he is an extremely likeable character. This is an excellent selection for upper elementary and junior high students.”
—Iowa Reading Journal“The author captures the hero's emotional turmoil and desperate need for acceptance. Readers will sympathize with both Andy and his adoptive parents as they seek and eventually find mutual trust and love.”
—Publishers Weekly“George Harrar has created a unique, memorable, and very beleivable character [Andy Fleck] with whom young readers can identify, and from whom adpotive parents may learn a great deal.”
—National Adoption Center in Philadelphia"The genius of this tale, which sandwiches wonderfully observed comic moments between scenes that are both heart-wrenching and suspenseful, is that the reader sees exactly how obnoxious and exasperating Andy is, yet roots for him with his or her entire being. . . . A killer read”
—Kirkus Review“Readers will be touched by Andy's turmoil and will cheer for him to do well in his new home. This is an excellent choice for those students whose lives have not always been comfortable. Recommended.”
—The Book Report
