I read this book when I was in junior high school.

I vividly remember how exhilarating and intriguing it was for me.

I often fantasized about being the main character, imagining that I was adopted and then embarking on an adventure to find my real mom.

However, by the end of the book, I didn't end up identifying too much with the main character.

Nevertheless, the story remained engaging, with well-developed and interesting characters.

This was generally the case with Lois Lowry's books.

She was one of my favorite authors during my early teenage years.

Her works always had a unique charm that吸引 me and made me eager to explore the worlds she created.

The way she crafted the stories and the characters was truly remarkable, and it left a lasting impression on me.

Even though I may not have fully identified with the main character in this particular book, I still appreciated the overall experience and the lessons it taught.

Lois Lowry's books will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to rereading them in the future.

I really liked the periphery characters in this one much more than the protagonist.

The story feels very much of its era. That is, it's really pithy, not much deep delving into the characters.

In the Kindle edition I had, for some reason, most of the book was IN ALL CAPS. IMAGINE READING TENDER MOMENTS WRITTEN LIKE THIS! Yeah, I think this little technical glitch might have taken away more from the reading experience than it should have. But hey, I did persist and finish because I'd hoped this story would be as moving as Summer to Die, my most favorite of all Lowry's books. It's not really in the same league, sadly.

An okay, but somewhat forgettable book about an adoptee who wants to find her birth parents. She does so without too much difficulty despite being pre-Internet. And then... well, it wasn't quite as earth shaking as you'd hope. The plot seemed to lack that extra oomph to really make it stand out. Maybe it was the lack of in-depth character development that made it hard to fully engage with the story. Or perhaps the technical issue with the all caps just threw me off. Either way, while it wasn't a terrible read, it's not one that I'll be rushing to recommend or remember for a long time.

Simple but poignant, Lois Lowry's second novel published in 1978,

Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye, is a young adult fiction that delves into the life of an adopted teenage girl on a quest to find her biological mother.

Natalie Armstrong seemed to have it all. She had a loving family, an understanding boyfriend, great friends, and a bright future ahead.

She stood out with her good looks and intelligence, yet deep down, she couldn't help but wonder if she was truly lucky.

Something was amiss in her life, something that filled her with fear. But she knew she had to find it, face it, and uncover the truth once and for all.

In the summer before college, she dedicated a great deal of effort to finding the answers to the questions that had been plaguing her. Who was she really? Why did her mother give her up? And who was her real family?

Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye is a light and wholesome read.

Natalie's journey in searching for her mother is presented in a logical and accessible manner, but it's the unexpected twists and turns of the events that add excitement and zest to the well-written storyline.

I have never ever read a book written in 1970. However, I must admit that I've loved it!

You can sense how they approached literature back then. There was no hurry, and the humor was very delicate.

Although it may seem that the main story is Natalie's search to find out who her biological mother is (since she has always known that she is adopted), for me, the book is about meeting her family.

Her mum is so hilarious, she has learned so much from her dad, her sister provides great support, and her grandma Tallie is truly fascinating. We get to know them and love them. This makes us wonder, if Natalie has such a great life, why is she so focused on finding the woman who gave birth to her?

"Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye" is a story about changes, about rediscovering who we really are and learning to say goodbye when the time is right. Because goodbyes are also an important part of everybody's stories.

It makes us reflect on our own lives and the relationships we have. Are we sometimes too focused on the past or on things that may not be as important as we think? This book has the power to make us think and appreciate the present and the people who are already in our lives.

It's a beautiful and thought-provoking read that I would highly recommend to anyone.

A 17-year-old girl, who is part of a loving but closed adoption, embarks on a journey during the summer to seek her mother.

"I don't care about the distant past. I want to find my mother. I want to find out what happened, why I was born, why she gave me away. Who she was. Who she is," she passionately proclaims.

With her remarkable and usual insight, Lowry skillfully targets the emotions of Natalie and those around her throughout this intense search. As the days pass and the search draws closer to a conclusion, Lowry continues to support Natalie.

We can only imagine the turmoil and anticipation in Natalie's heart as she gets closer to uncovering the truth about her mother. Will she find the answers she so desperately seeks? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure, this journey will change her life forever.

You have to sort everything out. This is not an easy task, but it is essential. You have to figure out what you want to hold onto. Is it the good memories, the valuable lessons, or the relationships that truly matter? You also have to acknowledge what is and what was. Sometimes, we need to face the reality that things have changed and we can't go back. And sometimes, we have to accept what never was, at all. This might be a dream that didn't come true, an opportunity that passed us by, or a person who was never meant to be in our lives.

These words from Natalie really struck a chord with me. I think that is an essential way to sort out life and a way to say goodbye to expectations, disappointments, hurt feelings, and so many other aspects that keep one from moving forward. It's not always easy to let go, but it's necessary if we want to grow and find happiness.

There was quite a surprise to this story's ending and it brought tears to my eyes. The character, Natalie, demonstrated quite a mature and positive outlook for a seventeen year old. She was able to face her past, accept it, and move on with grace and dignity. It was truly inspiring to see how she overcame her challenges and found a new sense of purpose in life.

I have read some of the reviews, and it is quite evident that they must be from younger individuals. In this day and age, people rely heavily on the Internet for their searches. However, the character in this book, Natalie, was born in 1960. In 1977, she embarked on a journey to find her birth mother. Her adoptive parents provided her with documents that seemingly made the process straightforward, allowing her to easily locate her birth mother. She had to undertake some traveling and make several phone calls.

I, on the other hand, worked as a child welfare worker in the mid-1960s. I dealt with unwed mothers and adoptions. Since then, I have assisted a few people in their quests to find their birth mothers. I can attest that it is not usually as effortless as this book suggests.

Nevertheless, this book remains a good read. It delves into the hurt feelings within her adoptive family. She loved her family deeply, yet she felt a void. She had a longing to know her roots. Through her search, she was able to learn about the circumstances of her birth, the age of her parents, the small community where she was born, and even about her grandparents. This knowledge brought her a sense of completeness and understanding.

Overall, while the book may have simplified the process of finding a birth mother, it still manages to touch on important themes and emotions related to adoption and the search for one's identity.

Lois Lowry is truly brilliant when it comes to writing excellent books for kids that tackle emotionally difficult subjects.

In this captivating story, Natalie has always been aware that she was adopted. However, she knows absolutely nothing about her birth parents or the circumstances that led them to give her up. Her kind and loving adoptive parents, while not fully understanding why this knowledge matters so deeply to her, are determined to support her choices. They go to great lengths to make it possible for her to embark on a journey of discovery.

As Natalie progresses on this journey, she learns crucial lessons about when to hold on to people and when to let them go. Some of the big "what-if" questions regarding the potential pitfalls of learning about birth parents are brought up rather harshly. But Natalie, with her newfound determination, feels ready and prepared to handle any trauma that might result from her search.

Much of this story focuses on how Natalie actively seeks the answers she so desperately needs. But it also delves into how she copes with those answers once she finally finds them. It's a tale of self-discovery, growth, and learning to navigate the complex emotions that come with uncovering the truth about one's past.

Excellent. Sometimes, the choices we make can truly lead to enlightenment about what we already have. It's often in those moments of decision-making that we are forced to take a closer look at our lives and the things that matter to us. We might find that we have been overlooking the simple joys and blessings that are right in front of us.

For example, choosing to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and spend time in nature can make us realize the beauty and tranquility that surrounds us. Or perhaps deciding to have a meaningful conversation with a loved one can open our eyes to the depth of our relationships.

These choices act as a mirror, reflecting back to us the value and significance of what we already possess. They remind us to be grateful and to cherish the present moment. So, the next time you face a choice, remember that it could be the key to unlocking a new level of awareness and appreciation for the wonderful things in your life.

This isn't one of Lois Lowry's most renowned novels, yet it is truly a remarkable book.

The story centers around Natalie during the summer following her high school graduation as she embarks on a journey to find her biological mother. Set in the seventies, Natalie's research entails driving to various towns, scouring newspapers and yearbooks in libraries, poring over old journals, and painstakingly handwriting letters.

Lois Lowry has an extraordinary talent for creating rich and well-developed characters. Even the most minor characters, like the woman managing the boarding house or the mentioned but never seen Aunt Helen, are fully fleshed out with distinct personalities.

The most captivating aspect of the book is Natalie's relationship with her parents and her vivid imagination of what it was like for them when they first drove to pick up their five-day-old daughter. This aspect adds a layer of depth and emotion to the story that truly engages the reader.

Overall, this is a book that may not be as widely known as some of Lowry's other works, but it is well worth the read for its engaging plot, well-written characters, and touching themes.

This is a truly delightful book that tells the story of a brilliant, gorgeous, and successful girl's quest to find her birth parents. The search for one's true identity is perhaps a common theme among teenagers, especially those who have gaps in their personal history for various reasons. Lois Lowry approaches the topic of adoption with elegance and sensitivity. The characters in the book are so vivid that they seem to leap off the pages. Tallie is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite characters. Despite the fact that Lowry also wrote the dreadful The Willoughbys, I can overlook that because of this wonderful book and, of course, Anastasia Krupnik.

It's fascinating to follow Tallie's journey as she navigates the complex emotions and challenges that come with trying to uncover her past. Lowry's writing is engaging and draws the reader in from the very beginning. The book not only explores the theme of adoption but also delves into themes of self-discovery, family, and love.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a heartwarming and thought-provoking story. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Natalie Armstrong is about to graduate from high school, and she is excitedly looking forward to starting college. However, before that significant event occurs, she has decided to use her last summer break to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Her parents informed her long ago that she was adopted, and the fact that it was a private adoption makes the task of uncovering her past potentially more challenging.

As Natalie delves deeper into her search, she begins to encounter a series of revelations that leave her increasingly uncertain about whether she is doing the right thing. On one hand, she is eager to learn more about her biological roots and the people who contributed to her genetic makeup. On the other hand, she is concerned that uncovering certain aspects of her past might have unforeseen consequences or disrupt the life she has built for herself.

Despite her misgivings, Natalie remains determined to continue her search. She believes that understanding her past is an essential part of understanding herself and will ultimately help her to make more informed decisions about her future. With each new discovery, she becomes more aware of the complexity of her situation and the importance of approaching it with sensitivity and respect.