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Leigh Michaels has had a passion for children and teens since she was a young girl, and has been writing stories since she was six years old. Combining these two loves came naturally as a teen when she began writing short stories and poetry for teens. Leigh has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Wisconsin, and has had several poems published in anthologies. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, where as a family they pour their passion for children into the foster care system as licensed foster parents.
Stay up to date on her current and future projects at http://www.authorleighmichaels.com/
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
To Have a Family by Leigh Michaels speaks about the importance of family in one's life. It emphasizes the true value and role of family and how important family is to groom and nurture each one of us. Samantha Jenkins lives in a children's home. She has been in there for a while and knows everyone there. She has an interview with the Thompsons and somehow till now no one has wanted to adopt her. The story takes a twist when Samantha goes missing after a fight with bully Jeremy Beltran. Will Julie, the one who took Samantha under her wing after being abandoned, be able to find her?
Julie goes looking for Samantha after she is found missing and finds her wheezing and lying in a pit. She gets Samantha to the hospital and finds out that Samantha rushed out to save Julie, thinking she was in trouble. It is a beautiful story that revolves around friendship, love and caring. Samantha's concern for Julie has been portrayed well. And in return, Julie's concern for Samantha as she gets ready to leave with the Duncan family is heart wrenching.
It is a beautiful story on the lives of children living in children's homes. The questions and discussions at the end of the book are a good way of reflecting upon the story. All the characters are lovable and charming, including the bully, Jeremy Beltran. It is a thoughtful tale and the ending is absolutely heart warming. It's a story that will leave readers cheerful and sad at the same time.
