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Book Review of The Boy from Baby House 10: From the Nightmare of a Russian Orphanage to a New Life in America

swampfox28 avatar reviewed on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


A wonderfully moving book that made me cry more than once - but was so totally worth it!

I have been interested in international adoption for many years but knew very little about the plight of many of the orphans in Russia; who knew that a child with minor PHYSICAL disabilities could be labeled an imbecile and condemned to live in insane asylum?! However, that is what happened to little Ivan (Vanya) - but his tenacious, intelligent, optimistic nature helped by the slimmest of margins to save him from a terrible fate.

Some might not want to read about this, but I think that more of us NEED to know what has happened time and time again to other children who, like Vanya, are cast aside and treated as worthless creatures. I am so glad to know that this wonderful boy (who is really now almost a man!) was given a chance to love and be loved as he so rightly deserved... and as so many others also deserve (but may never have the chance to)...

I am grateful to Vanya/John for sharing his story and also grateful to Alan, Sarah, Vika, and others that loved this child and helped him on his journey.