A little girl, an earthquake, and the making of a family.
Mitch Albom is the author of Tuesdays with Morrie, the best-selling memoir of all time. Anyone who has read 'Morrie' or any of Albom's other books, will already know the wonderful way with words he has.
Synopsis
Finding Chika, a little girl, an earthquake and the making of a family is a true story about a young Haitian orphan and how her short life impacts the author and his wife. Mitch and Janine Albom are a childless couple in their 50s with a busy life. In addition to Mitch's writings and his work as a sports writer and radio program host, he & Janine also operate the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage in Port-au-Prince.
At age 3 when little Chika joins the 50 other children in the orphanage her self-assurance and happy outlook quickly charms all the other kids and teachers. Even despite having lived in extreme poverty and then having her mother die and her 2 older sisters and baby brother farmed out to other families, Chika is blessed with boundless optimism and a delightful humor.
Mitch & Janine travel to Haiti and the orphanage every month and get to know Chika, along with the other children. Then, at age 5, Chika is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and there is no one in Haiti who can help her.
The Alboms bring Chika to Detroit, hoping that American medical care can soon grant her a healthy return to her homeland. Sadly, little Chika is found to have a rare brain tumor for which there is no cure. The Alboms are told that Chika probably has 4 months to live.
Instead, Chika becomes a permanent part of the Alboms' lives and they embark on a two-year journey to find a cure. Along the way Chika teaches them that a relationship built on love, no matter how short, can never be lost.
Summary
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| Available on Amazon |
This is a beautifully written memoir that is simply told and becomes a celebration of children and how they change our lives and make us a family.
“A Child is both an anchor and a set of wings. Your pace and space are forever altered.”
~Mitch Albom in Finding Chika.
*Book Review of Finding Chika written by Wednesday Elf
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Pat, I love reading true stories. This one seems to be a sad one with some life lessons along the way. sounds like a very interesting read. I've never read anything from this author, you have written a compelling review. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteSam, this story is so beautifully told that the inevitable sadness is offset by the love & happy times that are also part of this story. Thank you for your visit to my book review.
DeleteI have read several of Mitch Albom's books and have never been disappointed. I am looking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteI was drawn to this book because I enjoyed reading Albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie". I am so glad I did. It's a beautiful story.
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful memoir, but one I suspect we best have Kleenex handy when we read. When you really think about it, it is pretty amazing how much one person can affect our lives, and often in very little time. 2 years is not a long time in a lifetime, yet it is long enough to have an impact for a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely, Mouse. When you make a list of heartwarming stories, this one would be at the top.
Delete“Tuesdays With Morrie” is an incredible book, and anything written by Mitch Albom is sure to be well worth reading. Chika’s story, told from the Alboms’ POV, clearly has and will continue to touch other lives as well.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed every book I've read by Mitch Albom. He is a marvelous writer.
DeleteThis sounds like a very touching and heartfelt book. I have not read anything by this author but from your review it sounds beautifully and sensitively written. Thank you for a lovely review
ReplyDeleteAny book by Mitch Albom is wonderful, Raintree Annie. He has such a special way with the words he uses to tell a story. Tuesdays with Morrie and Finding Chika are both heartfelt. Thanks for your visit to my book review.
DeleteI had heard of Mitch Albom, but hadn't put two and two together regarding the books - This sounds like a moving story indeed - From the comments here, I also want to read "Tuesdays with Morrie" - Thanks for another good book recommendation
ReplyDeleteI think you would really enjoy this book and all the books by Mitch Albom, Barbara. He has a really special way with words.
DeleteOh I know that I would enjoy this book. I love true stories as well and even when they are sad, it gives us all lessons that we can use in our lives as well. Thanks for this suggestion Pat!
ReplyDeleteSad stories that are beautifully written definitely give us life lessons.
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