Has anyone else read Barbara Delinsky's Family Tree?

I was up half the night reading and thinking about this book....going off to finish it soon...Anyway it is about a white couple who have their first child who is "darker skinned". Don't want to say too much in case others are reading and have not read the book, but it is so thought provoking.....

Basically the Mom knows little about her father and the story his her journey to find an "answer" to why the child has darker skin.... We know little about my spouse's Mom and barely more about his Dad since he was raised by grandparents, but I now wonder should we look into his history for the sake of our children's children, or why it even matters in the long run.......We know that there are no history as far as serious medical problems or generic disorders...so I feel this is enough.....

The attitiude of some of the characters really bothered me so far.... and I ask myself why and how I would react if this happened to me.... I know my community would not be accepting of a bi-racial child and would probably assume I had an affair...... I also keep thinknig am I doing a dis service to my children who are growing up in a small town without very little racial diversity.......And really what can I do about it.... I grew up in a town that had no Africian Americains and I can think of only 1 family in our communtity....My daughter's best friend is African Americain but was adopted by a white couple.....

I am really interested in others opinions about this book..... and the story line in general....was anyone offended by the comments made by some of the characters.... I know there was a "conversation" where they were discussing whether or not the child would be treated by the community the same as her parents are..... and I had to wonder why she would not be.........

Sounds like a good book.
My friend and my daughter both read constantly so I will ask them if they have read it.

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

I have read every Barbara Delinsky book ever written. Many are very though-provoking and tearjerkers. Two standouts for me have been Coast Road and Three Wishes.

I have not read Family Tree yet as I didn't realize she had a new book out! Will put a hold on it at the library.

Go to Barbara Delinsky - The Official Site and click on Blogs. She has some great comments about what you mention in your post. She is thrilled that people are commenting as you are.

She suggests going to Barnes and Noble website for great discussion going on... Barnes*&*Noble.com - Books, Used & Out of Print, Textbooks, Children's Books, DVDs, Music, Toys

I have it ordered from Double Day Books and it looks SO good. I love her books and I can't wait to get it. I hope that it is good.

I just ordered the audio version from the library.

I read the book about six weeks ago. I read a book about every day or two so I don't remember it as clearly as I maybe should. I work in a library, so I get lots of wonderful book choices.

I do remember that I didn't really care for the book. I thought it was a sort of stupid and predictable plot. I also did not care for everyones attitudes in general. My husband and I are caucasian, and we adopted a biracial child. It is not quite the big deal that they make it out to be. We are talking about a child -- and it was their own blood child. How sad. A child is to be loved and cherished. Skin color should never make a difference, and I don't want to associate with people who don't get that basic concept of life. We are all people with needs and wants. Most of all, every person wants to be accepted and validated.

When we adopted our son, my grandparents were mildly upset but they accepted it. They have passed on now, but my son is 12 and just a wonderful person. They would enjoy his gift for music, sports, his intelligence and his passion for life. Don't judge and reject people by the color of their skin. Character, kindness and love are so much more important.

I know I sound simplistic but I live this life everyday -- and I love my life. We did not hesitate to bring this baby into our lives.

Hugs, Donna