What do you think?
Rate this book
Search to Belong: The Experience of a Foster Child
Book by Kauffman, Christmas Carol
341 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1963
4 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Christmas Carol Kauffman
38 books52 followersChristmas Carol Kauffman (December 25, 1901 - January 30, 1969) was a Mennonite author of inspirational Christian literature. Kauffman was best known for her semi-biographical novels, and her writings were largely based on the life stories of people she met through the mission work she performed with her husband, pastor Nelson E. Kauffman. She is mother of James Kauffman. -wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 13, 2023
I read this book several times as a child/teen. It was in our church library. I loved it then. So when I had opportunity to pick it up free from a church that was dispersing their library, I jumped for it. Re-reading it as an adult was quite a different experience for me than reading it as a child.
Content considerations:
1. I was truly saddened by way the author speaks about black people. I know the book is a product of her time (book was published 1963) and I think she was trying to bridge the gap between the mostly white Mennonite community and blacks, and to help Mennonites change their attitudes about blacks, but it is still a hard pass for me now to keep this book in my home.
2. An outdated understanding of adoption and fostering. Again, I know this book is a product of the time it was published.
3. Davy, the main character, is placed in a loving home. One of the less prominent characters, a black boy named Hugh, lives with a drunken, abusive woman. There is no attempt from the adults in the story who know his situation to remove him from the situation, or to get help for him.
The final thing that is a clincher for me in my decision not to give this book shelf space in my personal library: the quality of the writing style itself. I grew up in a Menonnite community, and had limited access to books other than those published by Mennonite publishers. Since then, I have read widely, and have read many good books. My ability to judge the quality of the writing itself has greatly expanded. The writing of this book is not horrible, but also not great.
Content considerations:
1. I was truly saddened by way the author speaks about black people. I know the book is a product of her time (book was published 1963) and I think she was trying to bridge the gap between the mostly white Mennonite community and blacks, and to help Mennonites change their attitudes about blacks, but it is still a hard pass for me now to keep this book in my home.
2. An outdated understanding of adoption and fostering. Again, I know this book is a product of the time it was published.
3. Davy, the main character, is placed in a loving home. One of the less prominent characters, a black boy named Hugh, lives with a drunken, abusive woman. There is no attempt from the adults in the story who know his situation to remove him from the situation, or to get help for him.
The final thing that is a clincher for me in my decision not to give this book shelf space in my personal library: the quality of the writing style itself. I grew up in a Menonnite community, and had limited access to books other than those published by Mennonite publishers. Since then, I have read widely, and have read many good books. My ability to judge the quality of the writing itself has greatly expanded. The writing of this book is not horrible, but also not great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2025
The copy a friend loaned me was falling apart, but wow what an inspiring and touching tale based on an actual experience of a young child searching for his parents. Davy was loved at the home for children and the Christian couple who took him to their farm, but he never asked to be adopted. Deep within he wanted to know answers to his past, even though he was left as an infant at a mission. The story was spellbinding with a beautiful Christian message throughout the story and a surprising ending in several ways.
July 2, 2022
Inherited by my Grandma years ago, the copies of the books I have by this author, are among my most treasured possessions! I've read them each several times, and am now passing them on to my children.
Currently reading
April 23, 2020This book is very inspiring I would like to finish reading it,some of my book is missing I would like to download it so I can finish the few last chapter
February 23, 2016
I LOVED this book! It was so interesting!
It's the story of a foster child, he grows up wondering "Who is my Mother? Everyone has to have a mother." for years he searched. He longed for someone to belong to.
It was a while ago that I read it now, so I'll try to remember anything that I think people would be interested in knowing before hand.
There was a kiss or two between an engaged couple. That's all I can think of though that some people might be interested in before hand.
It's the story of a foster child, he grows up wondering "Who is my Mother? Everyone has to have a mother." for years he searched. He longed for someone to belong to.
It was a while ago that I read it now, so I'll try to remember anything that I think people would be interested in knowing before hand.
There was a kiss or two between an engaged couple. That's all I can think of though that some people might be interested in before hand.
Read
January 21, 2010My very favorite books
March 14, 2012
I read & reread this book when I was younger & still remember the story well enough about little Davey that yearns to belong to someone. The story touched my heart very much.
October 4, 2012
I love this book. Because I am adopted I understood it all. My mom refused to allow me to read it but my grandma read it to me. In my early teen years this was a life changer for me.
October 20, 2012
First ever thick novel book I've read when I was 10yrs old. The search of an orphan to trace his roots
June 12, 2013
must have read this a dozen times as a teenager.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews