This is the kind of Louis Lowry book that I truly enjoy.

It is very introspective, filled with numerous tender moments that touch the heart.

Lowry does an outstanding job of delving into how a 17-year-old girl, on the verge of womanhood and adult life, would handle the opportunity to seek out her birth parents and the story behind her birth.

I thoroughly enjoyed the journey of Natalie as she embarks on a quest to discover what led to her adoption by her loving parents and what became of her birth parents.

The story is so engaging that it was extremely hard to put this book down.

I deeply appreciated the honesty of the narrative and the unexpected twist near the end that provided real closure for Natalie.

It made me reflect on the complex emotions and experiences that come with the search for one's identity and the longing to know one's roots.

Overall, it was a captivating and thought-provoking read that I would highly recommend to others.

A nice, quick read with the silliest cover design. It's quite astonishing that for a book written in the '70s, it actually still holds up well.

The story had its charm and managed to keep my attention throughout. However, my only beef was that the main character, Natalie, is incredibly naive. She assumes that it's going to be super easy to find her birth parents with little information to go off of. As if that wasn't enough, she also believes that they would *obviously* want to see her. This naivete made it a bit hard for me to fully connect with her character at times.

Despite this flaw, the book still had its redeeming qualities. The plot was engaging and the other characters added depth to the story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, although not without its drawbacks.

Girl on a journey to find her birth parents

Lois Lowry has masterfully crafted the story of a young woman who embarks on a remarkable journey. This woman is deeply determined to solve the mystery that has haunted her for so long - the identity of her birth parents. Her adoptive parents, who love her dearly, understand her longing and give her the precious gift of encouragement to pursue this quest. With their support, she sets off, not knowing what lies ahead. As she delves deeper into her search, she discovers things that are completely unexpected. The journey takes her to places she never imagined, and she meets people who have a profound impact on her. Through it all, she learns valuable lessons about herself, her past, and the meaning of family. This story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the greatest adventures are the ones that lead us to discover the truth about ourselves.

Never have I seen a more aptly titled novel.

This book intricately details the summer of Natalie Armstrong. She embarks on a journey to search for the woman who gave birth to her. Lois Lowry masterfully captures the intense and raw emotions of her parents, her sister, her boyfriend, and Natalie herself as they all struggle to come to terms with Natalie's decision to undertake this quest.

From a quaint small town in northern Maine to the bustling big city of NYC, Natalie spares no effort in her determination to uncover the truth about her past and learn who her mother was, despite the numerous doubts that plague her. She grapples with her own decision-making process and, ultimately, discovers a way to locate a stranger and then find the courage to say goodbye. At the end of the book, there is a simply wonderful twist that keeps you hooked until the very last page.

I will be honest. Initially, I wasn't entirely sure about the book. It had a slower pace and was almost bordering on being boring in Natalie's small hometown of Branford, Maine. However, as we delve deeper and learn about Natalie's burning desire to find her mom and the profound impact it has on her family, I truly became engrossed. Lowry skillfully manages to describe and vividly show these emotions, making it possible for even someone who has never experienced anything similar to envision it as clearly as a bright summer's day.

Content warning: Teen pregnancy.

If you receive a thick letter, it implies that you have been accepted. However, if you get a thin letter, it's better to forget about it.

Natalie Armstrong is on the verge of graduating from high school in 1977. Before commencing college, she has a strong desire to search for her biological mother. She adores her parents. Her father is a doctor, and she aspires to follow in his footsteps. Her mother is delightfully crazy in her own way. Her younger sister, Nancy, is a true and loyal friend. Natalie's motivation for finding her mother is not out of emptiness or loneliness. Instead, the need to know her mother and her story is extremely intense.

For her graduation, her parents present her with a box containing all the information they have regarding her adoption. Additionally, her grandmother gives her some correspondence, which consists of letters from her mother to Natalie's grandmother.

Where will this journey lead her?

My thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It is a thought-provoking, character-driven piece of work. I relished spending time with Natalie and her family. My two favorite characters were Natalie and her grandmother, Tallie. I particularly cherished their conversations. I also appreciate how the story captures the promise and potential of that stage of life. Everything is in a state of flux, and the only certainty is that one door has closed forever.

"Sometimes we have to hurt people in order to preserve our own integrity. We just have to do it with love, that's all."

"That doesn't make much sense to me," Natalie confessed.

"Where is it written that everything has to make sense? All I mean is that when you have to hurt someone you love, do it truthfully. And that's what you're doing. You could have been sneaky and gone about it in a different way. Of course, it would have been more challenging, but you could have managed it, Natalie. However, you didn't. You told them precisely what you were up to. And it hurt, but they know that you love them." (63)

I thought this book was truly remarkable.

It was filled with a plethora of intense emotions that really tugged at my heartstrings.

The main character, Natalie, was an absolute inspiration. Her unwavering determination to find her real mother was both admirable and captivating.

I found myself completely immersed in her journey, rooting for her every step of the way.

The story was beautifully written, with vivid descriptions that brought the characters and settings to life.

It made me feel as if I was right there with Natalie, experiencing her joys and sorrows.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a touching and engaging read.

It's a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

There was a certain moment when this book distinctly transitioned from being an ordinary one to a creation that only Lois Lowry could have crafted. I'm not precisely sure where that point was.

Perhaps it was in the characters of her mom and grandmother, who were brought to life with such vividness and authenticity. Or maybe it was in the way Natalie processed her journey, which was both relatable and inspiring.

But by the end, I found myself completely swept away, just as I have been with her other remarkable books. This one is yet another excellent addition to her body of work.

It has the power to engage readers on multiple levels, making them think, feel, and reflect. Lois Lowry has once again proven herself to be a master storyteller, capable of creating worlds and characters that stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Another good one indeed.

Gianna really wanted to read this book together.

She thought it would be a great experience.

The book was said to be very good for young adults.

It had interesting stories and valuable lessons.

Gianna believed that by reading it with others, they could share their thoughts and interpretations.

This would enhance their understanding of the book.

She was excited to start the reading journey and explore the world within the pages.

She hoped that everyone would enjoy the book as much as she did.

Gianna was looking forward to the discussions and the connections that would be made through this shared reading experience.

She knew that it would be a memorable and enriching time for all.

Greatly oversimplified, yes, but still a compelling read.

It was a book that had the power to draw me in and hold my attention. I can't help but think that I would have loved this as a teenager.

Back then, my imagination was vivid, and this book would have been a perfect escape into a different world.

As an adult, I still found much to appreciate. The humour in the story was a delight, bringing a smile to my face on more than one occasion.

I had the good fortune to come across this book in a free library. It was a wonderful find, and I devoured it quickly.

Once I was done, I returned it to the same library, hoping that another reader would discover it and have a similar experience.

It's amazing how a simple book can have such an impact, whether on a young mind or an older one.

This one will stay with me for a long time.

Hit a little too close to home.

It felt as if the story or situation being presented was uncomfortably similar to my own experiences or emotions.

The details and events described were so relatable that it became almost overwhelming.

I found myself unable to continue, as it brought up memories and feelings that I wasn't quite ready to face.

Maybe it was the way the author painted the picture or the specific circumstances that were depicted.

Whatever the reason, it had a profound impact on me.

I needed to step away and take a break, allowing myself time to process and come to terms with the emotions that had been stirred up.

Perhaps I'll try to finish it at a later time, when I'm in a better place mentally and emotionally.

But for now, I know that it hit a little too close to home, and I need to give myself the space and time I need to deal with it.

The original article is not provided, so I can't rewrite and expand it specifically. However, I can give you a general example of how to expand an article to about 300 words and add the word "heartrending" in an appropriate place.

Let's assume the original article is: "The story of the lost child is very sad."

Expanded version:

The story of the lost child is truly heartrending.

It begins with a child who somehow gets separated from his parents in a busy city.

The child is scared and confused, wandering the streets alone.

His parents are frantic with worry, searching everywhere for him.

The days pass, and the hope of finding the child seems to fade.

But then, in a heartwarming turn of events, the child is found safe and sound.

The reunion between the child and his parents is a moment of pure joy and relief, but the memory of the heartrending experience will stay with them forever.

This is just an example, and you can adjust it according to the actual content of your original article. If you provide the original article, I can give you a more accurate and personalized rewrite and expansion.

This is an incredible read that I truly loved.

From the very first sentence, it captured my attention and held it firmly until the very end.

The author's writing style is engaging and captivating, making it impossible to put the article down.

The content is not only interesting but also thought-provoking, presenting unique perspectives and ideas that made me see things in a new light.

Each paragraph is well-structured and flows seamlessly into the next, creating a smooth and enjoyable reading experience.

I would highly recommend this article to anyone looking for a great read that will leave them inspired and enlightened.

It is truly a gem that deserves to be read and shared.

Overall, I cannot praise this article enough and look forward to reading more from the author in the future.