Sam's Sister
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Rosa's mother explains to her that she is pregnant with a child for whom she can't provide. Instead, she knows of a couple who will "help us take care of the baby." When the infant is born, Rosa and her mom get to pick Sam's middle name-Querido, which means "wanted" in Spanish. After the adoptive parents take the newborn home from the hospital, they stay in touch with his birth family, who eventually visit the baby. Rosa misses him, but she knows that, "Sam is where he should be. And even though he doesn't live with Mommy and me, we will always be part of his family." The text is straightforward and sensitively written. The focus remains on Sam's mother and sister, a valuable point of view. However, despite its attempt at directness and the respect it pays to this Latino family, the story feels circumspect. For instance, the word adoption is never used. While the close relationship Rosa and her mom continue to have with Sam and his new parents seems ideal, children may be confused about its exact nature. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are static though serviceable. Because this book does not provide background information on the complexities of adoption or advice on reference materials that could further aid readers, its usefulness is limited.Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.