I, Rebekah, Take You, the Lawrences

Abandoned by her parents, Rebekah has spent most of her 12 years in an orphanage with the knowledge that everyone she loves will eventually leave her. Why should she think any differently, when she's been given temporary placements in more foster homes than she can count, only to return to the orphanage when the pre-determined time is up? After having her heart broken too many times, Rebekah decides she will refuse future offers of foster care and bide her time in the orphanage instead. Her resolve is weakened, however, when Tom and Rosemary Lawrence appear at the orphanage to take Rebekah on outings. Despite her initial resistance, Rebekah loves spending time with the Lawrences and when she suspects that they will ask to be her next foster parents, she feels helplessly resigned to repeating the cycle yet again. But fostering isn't what the Lawrences have in mind. Instead, they want to adopt her. Forever. Rebekah feels like Cinderella when she leaves her crowded dorm room and stern matron for a loving home with her new parents. Yet she struggles with feelings of guilt over leaving her friends in the orphanage. She also worries how her new friends will react if they know the truth about her past. With Rosemary and Tom's guidance, Rebekah decides she must allow her new friends to know her true self, and that includes her past. She also reaches out to her closest old friend, Mildred, letting her share in part of her new life by inviting her to the combination birthday and adoption party that Rosemary and Tom give her. The party is a success, and Rebekah finally begins to feel comfortable with her past and present. But just as Rebekah starts to think that her life is pretty near perfect, Tom and Rosemary approach her with an idea. Their new family is so wonderful, why not make it even better and adopt a brother? Instead of delighted, Rebekah is devastated. If Tom and Rosemary really love her, why do they want to replace her? Maybe she'd be better off back at the orphanage... "I, Rebekah Take You, The Lawrences" is an excellent story of learning to trust the ones you love. Rebekah's insecurities are realistically portrayed, and her relationships with her new parents and her old and new friends are believable. Although out of print, the book would be relevant for young readers today.