My family, a symphony : a memoir of global adoption

Before Madonna and Angelina Jolie made international adoption fashionable, Aaron Eske grew up in rural Nebraska with four siblings his parents adopted from around the globe. Each one arrived with severe health issues: Meredith was born without toes and was never supposed to walk; Jamie weighed two pounds and had cerebral palsy; and Jordan had his first heart catheter when he was five. His sister Michelle had suffered abuse in India and experienced trauma as a teenager. As an adult, trying to make sense of how his global family came to be, Eske bought a round-the-world plane ticket and journeyed in search of his siblings' origins. He visited the orphanages where they had lived, met the people who had cared for them, and immersed himself in the the world of international adoption with visits to a slum school in India, the landmine-loaded North Korean border, and a tribal prom in an Ethiopian rainforest. The result is a harrowing, complex, and ultimately triumphant story of international adoption that highlights the issues surrounding this increasingly popular parenting option. Before Madonna And Angelina Jolie Made International Adoption Fashionable, Aaron Eske Grew Up In Rural Nebraska With Four Siblings His Parents Adopted From Around The Globe. Each One Arrived With Severe Health Issues: Meredith Was Born Without Toes And Was Never Supposed To Walk; Jamie Weighed Two Pounds And Had Cerebral Palsy; And Jordan Had His First Heart Catheter When He Was Five. His Sister Michelle Had Suffered Abuse In India And Experienced Trauma As A Teenager.as An Adult, Trying To Make Sense Of How His Global Family Came To Be, Eske Bought A Round-the-world Plane Ticket And Journeyed In Search Of His Siblings' Origins. He Visited The Orphanages Where They Had Lived, Met The People Who Had Cared For Them, And Immersed Himself In The The World Of International Adoption With Visits To A Slum School In India, The Landmine-loaded North Korean Border, And A Tribal Prom In An Ethiopian Rainforest. The Result Is A Harrowing, Complex, And Ultimately Triumphant Story Of International Adoption That Highlights The Issues Surrounding This Increasingly Popular Parenting Option--,Aaron Is His Parents' Only Biological Child. His Four Internationally Adopted Siblings Arrived With Severe Health Problems And Psychological Wounds: Meredith Suffered From Birth Defects And Was Never Expected To Walk, Jamie Had Cerebral Palsy, Jordan Had His First Heart Catheter When He Was Five, And Michelle Had Endured Serious Trauma As A Child Back In India. All Five Shared A Close Bond As Children. However, By The Time He Reached Early Adulthood, Aaron Felt Distanced From His Sisters And Brother. In Search Of A Way To Reconnect With His Family, Aaron Traveled To 23 Cities Across The Globe To Trace His Siblings' Origins. He Visited The Orphanages Where They Lived, Met The People Who Had Taken Care Of Them, And Immersed Himself In The World Of Orphans Around The Globe, Visiting Slums In India, A Village On The North Korean Border, And A Tribal Settlement In An Ethiopian Rainforest. My Family, A Symphony Is Aaron's Story. It Relates The Exploration That Gave Him New Perspective On His Family And The Exceptional Circumstances That Brought Them Together. --

Before Madonna and Angelina Jolie made international adoption fashionable, Aaron Eske grew up in rural Nebraska with four siblings his parents adopted from around the globe. Each one arrived with severe health issues: Meredith was born without toes and was never supposed to walk; Jamie weighed two pounds and had cerebral palsy; and Jordan had his first heart catheter when he was five. His sister Michelle had suffered abuse in India and experienced trauma as a teenager.

As an adult, trying to make sense of how his global family came to be, Eske bought a round-the-world plane ticket and journeyed in search of his siblings' origins. He visited the orphanages where they had lived, met the people who had cared for them, and immersed himself in the the world of international adoption with visits to a slum school in India, the landmine-loaded North Korean border, and a tribal prom in an Ethiopian rainforest. The result is a harrowing, complex, and ultimately triumphant story of international adoption that highlights the issues surrounding this increasingly popular parenting option.

"Aaron is his parents' only biological child. His four internationally adopted siblings arrived with severe health problems and psychological wounds: Meredith suffered from birth defects and was never expected to walk, Jamie had cerebral palsy, Jordan had his first heart catheter when he was five, and Michelle had endured serious trauma as a child back in India. All five shared a close bond as children. However, by the time he reached early adulthood, Aaron felt distanced from his sisters and brother. In search of a way to reconnect with his family, Aaron traveled to 23 cities across the globe to trace his siblings' origins. He visited the orphanages where they lived, met the people who had taken care of them, and immersed himself in the world of orphans around the globe, visiting slums in India, a village on the North Korean border, and a tribal settlement in an Ethiopian rainforest. My Family, A Symphony is Aaron's story. It relates the exploration that gave him new perspective on his family and the exceptional circumstances that brought them together."-- Provided by publisher From the Communications Director of Angelina Jolie's orphan advocacy group comes a moving and enlightening journey through the world of international adoption.