About Karen
Karen Halvorsen Schreck is the author of the historical novel Broken Ground (Simon & Schuster 2016), called a “masterfully written . . . must-read” by USA Today. Her previously published historical novel, Sing for Me, was described as "impressive…a well-wrought and edifying page-turner” (Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review). Karen's Young Adult novel, While He Was Away (Sourcebooks), was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. She’s also the author of Dream Journal (Hyperion), which was a 2006 Young Adult BookSense Pick, and the award-winning children’s book Lucy’s Family Tree (Tilbury House). Her short stories and articles have appeared in Hypertext, The Rumpus, Belt, and Image, as well as other literary journals and magazines, and have received various awards, including a Pushcart Prize, an Illinois State Arts Council Grant, and in 2008, first prize awards for memoir and devotional magazine writing from the Evangelical Press Association. Karen received her doctorate in English and Creative Writing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She works as a freelance writer and editor, teaches writing and literature, and lives with her husband, the photographer Greg Halvorsen Schreck, and their two children in Wheaton, Illinois.
Lucy’s Family Tree
“…a wonderful book that captivates, entertains, and educates the reader from cover to cover.”
—Adoption Today
“…step by step journey into finding your own family roots…for slightly older reader…for wonderer who thinks family is not limited to a few.”
—Courier Gazette, October 4, 2007
“…an important contribution…provide terrific models for other adoptive parents…a well-written and useful book.”
—PACT, An Adoption Alliance, 2001
“…wonderful book…captivates, entertains, and educates the reader…thought provoking dialogue…invites us to explore the diversity of families…”
—Adoption Today, 2001
“…celebrates family diversity in a truly interesting and constructive manner.”
—Friends Journal
“…a good book for a teacher who just doesn’t understand that many families no longer fit the old mold!”
—Jewish Children’s Adoption Network
“…an authentic job of capturing the powerful responses adopted kids have to identity issues raised by this assignment…an important contribution.”
—PACT, An Adoption Alliance
“A family tree is not simple for an adopted child, and Lucy’s adoption from Mexico makes her feel different. Lucy’s wise and sensitive parents encourage her to find a way to complete the assignment: they will release her from the obligation if she can find three families that are the ‘same.’ Lucy’s discoveries provide profound insights for all readers and teachers.”
—Yellow Brick Road
“A beautiful exploration of how one family lets their child figure out a problem for herself.”
—Maine Sunday Telegram
“…a journey that leads the young girl and the book’s readers to discover that few families fit the traditional image…. By the conclusion, Lucy feels better about her situation and has devised a way to create a family tree that honors both her birth parents and the parents who are raising her.”
—Pioneer Press
“[Lucy’s Family Tree] speaks to the thoughts and concerns of an adopted child and acknowledges the loss and feelings of being different that many adopted children experience at different points in their lives. These feelings are addressed in a way that helps childen to see that each family is different in some way and respects the variety and diversity of all families. While addressing those differences, it also reinforces the bond and love between Lucy and her adoptive parents. This book gives practical advice about how to handle the family tree assignment that is common in many classrooms and can be challenging for adoptive families. This assignment is handled in a way that provides the child with a sense of self-esteem by recognizing and incorporating Lucy’s cultural background and the importance of birthparents as a part of the identity of an adopted child. Parents reading this book will be reminded of the importance of respecting a child’s privacy, especially a young teen. Lucy’s parents exhibit a parenting style that encourages self-esteem and empowers Lucy to solve her problem in a way that is right for her. They respond with respect, concern, and interest in their child’s feelings and needs, but do not pretend to know all the answers or make excuses. Lucy’s family tree is very well written and provides life lessons for children and parents. As adoption professionals, we recommend this book for adoptive families, but more importantly, for all families who want to learn about dealing with feeling different and helping older children solve their problems.”
—Tracy Leach, adoption counselor, The Cradle Adoption Agency, Evanston, Illinois
When Lucy comes home from school with a family tree assignment, she asks her parents to write her a note to excuse her from the task. Lucy’s adoption from Mexico makes her feel as though her family is too “different,” but her parents gently and wisely challenge Lucy to think some more about it and to find three families that are the “same.” As Lucy ponders her list of school and family friends who are “normal,” she comes to realize that there are many different kinds of families.
Buy Lucy’s Family Tree at Amazon or IndieBound.
Honor Book — Society of School Librarians, 2001 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People — Children’s Book Council/National Council on the Social Studies, 2001 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2001—Children’s Book Council, NSTA 2001 Honor Book — Society of School Librarians International
