We Adopted Five Special-Needs Foster Kids

Ann Ellsworth's memoir, We Adopted Five Special-Need Foster Kids, is a brave, poignant account of enduring love and dedication in the face of truly overwhelming challenges. Anyone contemplating parenthood, or seeking an understanding of how child rearing can be a process of healing damaged souls, will be amply rewarded by reading this heartfelt, courageous book. --Stuart Isacoff, author of When the World Stopped to Listen: Van Cliburn's Cold War Triumph and Its Aftermath Appreciating Ann Ellsworth as the brilliant classical French horn player she is, it is not surprising that she is also a clear, honest writer and a committed humanitarian. What IS surprising is the extent to which she has challenged herself to honor and balance these related but intensely demanding callings. If more people put themselves to the test the way Ann and her husband have, our world would be an infinitely more loving and peaceful place. --Thea Musgrave, award-winning orchestral composer and Guggenheim fellow We Adopted Five Special-Needs Foster Kids is both wholly heart wrenching and full of beautiful, decisive love. It's brutal, yet tender and an incredible read for anyone raising children, whether they be biological or otherwise. --Jennifer Browne, author of Understanding Teenage Anxiety A heartbreaking and heartwarming story. Ann's frank memoir about adoption shows the strength, determination, and humor it takes to be a mother to five special kids. A beautiful reminder that a parent doesn't have to be biological to be considered a mother or a father. --Rachel Tomlinson, author of Teaching Kids to Be Kind