[Katey]

Earlier this week, I read a caption about a book I came across and was in a hurry (at work) so I did not wirte down title/author info and now cannot find it. If anybody has seen or heard of this book, could you let me know? This is what I remember about the description.

I believe it is a true story about a young girl in the US. The description has her and her younger siblings placed into foster care together. She was seperated from younger siblings and placed in a group home (something about too difficult to handle in a family environment). She went on to become Miss Teen USA (won the pageant) when she was either 16 or 17 and was subsequently adopted at age 17 (I think those are the ages).

If anybody has any information on this book, please let me know. I came across it while skimming adoption sights and now cannot find it.

Thanks, KC

P.S. R is doing great and plans to change her name on finalization this summer.

[kmalay]

Katey I can't help you with the book, but great news about R.

[Georgia Mom]

Katey,
I did some poking around the Internet and did determine that the girl's name is Charlotte Ann Lopez. I couldn't find a book anywhere, but maybe that will be a starting point for you. I remember reading about her years ago in a magazine.
Good luck!

[Katey]

Thank you very much for the well wishes and the name!!! This is great!

KC

[Katey]

I FOUND IT!!!

If anyone out there is interested:

Title: Lost in The System
Authors: Charlotte Ann Lopez and Susan Dworkin

I also ordered it. KC

[riley6]

I read the book and cried most of the way through it. I have a foster daughter who chose not to be adopted, but will live with us until she's 18. I wish she was like Charlotte and wanted to be adopted. It would mean so much to us. I think she's hanging on to this fantasy that if she's not adopted, her biomom will appear when she's 18 and the two of them will live happily ever after.

The book should be a must read for any foster/adopting parent.

Congratulations on R!!!!! How old is she again?

[Katey]

R moved in on December 11 and turned 14 on December 17. She wants very much to be adopted. Her bio mom cound have contact, but chooses not to.

We are thoroughly enjoying R. My bio kids are boy 17 (b-day 11/30), boy 20 (b-day 8/26), and girl 23 (b-day 5/9).


KC

[Graham]

Thanks Katey, I'll read it. Much appreciate your sharing.
Graham

[woverine]

We saw an interview with her on Larry King shortly after she won the pageant.

I still remember her saying that she was not concerned about the scholorship she could get for college by aging out but wanted the family name so she could 'have a family'.

It was this interview which solidified the idea of adoption for my husband. It has taken about 10 years for the timing but that story fanned the flame.