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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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A young girl, filled with joy and love, has a unique experience. She is happily adopted and lives a wonderful life with her adoptive parents. However, deep within her heart, there is a desire to seek her birth parents. This story is told by her favorite story teller, who weaves a tale that is both touching and thought-provoking. The girl's journey to find her roots is filled with anticipation, excitement, and a hint of nervousness. She wonders what her birth parents look like, what their personalities are like, and why they made the decision to give her up for adoption. Along the way, she discovers many things about herself and about the power of love and family. This is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

July 15,2025
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The text appears to be a review or assessment of something, perhaps a book or a story.

It mentions that although it may be a bit outdated, it remains highly believable and is well-written.

This indicates that despite its age, the work still manages to engage the reader and maintain a certain level of credibility.

The interesting choices and cadence in the story line are also noted.

This suggests that the author has made unique decisions in constructing the narrative, which add to its appeal.

The cadence, or the rhythm and flow of the story, likely contributes to its overall readability and keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.

Overall, the review seems to be quite positive, highlighting the strengths of the work despite its age.

It would be interesting to know more about what specifically makes the story believable and what the interesting choices and cadence entail.

This could provide further insights into the quality and value of the work.

Perhaps a more in-depth analysis of the plot, characters, and writing style would be beneficial to fully appreciate the merits of this somewhat dated but still engaging piece.
July 15,2025
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Just as good as I remember.

This simple statement holds a wealth of meaning. It implies that something has lived up to the expectations set by our memories. It could be a place, a taste, a smell, or an experience.

When we say something is just as good as we remember, it often brings a sense of nostalgia and comfort. It reminds us of a time when things were perhaps simpler or more enjoyable.

It can also be a pleasant surprise when we rediscover something that we had forgotten about but find that it still has the same charm and quality.

Whether it's revisiting a childhood vacation spot, having a favorite meal from the past, or reconnecting with an old friend, the feeling of something being just as good as we remember is truly special.

It allows us to relive those precious moments and create new memories that will, in turn, be cherished in the future.

July 15,2025
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Just beautiful

Just beautiful

I have an unwavering love for anything that is written by Lois Lowry. Her works have this magical quality that makes you feel as if you are truly becoming a part of the fictional world she has created. As you progress through the story, you are constantly moving forward from one unexpected surprise to another. Each turn of the page brings a new revelation that keeps you on the edge of your seat. And then, when you reach the end, it is always a satisfying conclusion. Lois Lowry has a remarkable ability to craft stories that engage the reader's emotions and imagination, taking them on a journey that they will not soon forget. Her writing is a true art form, and I am always eager to pick up another one of her books and lose myself in her wonderful worlds.
July 15,2025
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July 15,2025
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This small volume presents a truly powerful story of loss and love.

It is an absolute must-read for anyone who has been part of an adoption plan. Natalie Armstrong, at just 17 years old, is determined to find her birth mother. Natalie was adopted as an infant and has grown up in a loving, nurturing, and respectful family.

Her sister, who is the biological child of Natalie's parents and was born after Natalie came home, is supportive, although she may not fully understand. Her parents, on the other hand, are hurt and angry, yet they realize that this is a right of passage for Natalie.

Natalie is extremely creative in her sleuthing, especially considering that computer technology was not available during the time when the story takes place, which is in the late 1970s. Her quest and the answer she discovers is a coming of age with a universal message: Family is more than just genetics.

This book is a must, even though it may now seem a bit dated, for anyone who has been on either side of an adoption plan - whether as the adoptee or the person needing the plan. It offers a profound and touching exploration of the complex emotions and experiences involved in adoption.
July 15,2025
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Great Read

Lois Lowry is truly one of the most fantastic authors. When you pick up her novel and start reading it in 2019, you can immediately sense that the setting belongs to a different generation. The details and descriptions transport you to a time and place that may seem foreign at first. However, as you delve deeper into the story, you realize that the essence of it is universal. The themes explored, such as love, loss, identity, and the search for meaning, are timeless and relatable to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Lowry has a remarkable ability to create characters that come to life on the page and draw you into their world. You can't help but become invested in their journey and root for them as they face various challenges and obstacles. This novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story that will make you think, feel, and ultimately, appreciate the power of literature.
July 15,2025
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Not my favorite.

It's a good enough story about self discovery. The plot takes the reader on a journey as the main character explores their inner self and discovers new aspects of their personality. However, aside from the main character, there isn't much character development. The other characters seem rather one-dimensional and lack depth.

Perhaps if more time had been spent fleshing out the secondary characters, the story would have felt more complete. As it stands, it's an okay read, but not one that will stick with me for a long time.

I was hoping for a more engaging and complex story with well-developed characters all around. Maybe next time.
July 15,2025
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Well,

there are 5 hours that I will never be able to get back. Sigh.

I truly love Lois Lowry. Her works usually展现出extraordinary brilliance and depth. However, this particular one just fails to reach the high standards she has set for herself. It is such a disappointment.

I had such high expectations going into this book, hoping to be swept away by her masterful storytelling and unique perspectives. But unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to those expectations. The plot felt a bit flat at times, and the characters didn't seem to have the same level of complexity and charm as in her other novels.

Despite this disappointment, I still have a great deal of respect for Lois Lowry and her body of work. I'm sure there will be other amazing books from her in the future that will once again remind me of why I fell in love with her writing in the first place.
July 15,2025
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Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye was written in 1978. It tells the story of Natalie, a perfect and beautiful girl.

She lives with her adoptive family in Maine and has just graduated from high school. Natalie has no clue about who her birth mother is.

Filled with a strong yearning, she wants to find her and understand the reason why she was given up for adoption.

Her adoptive parents decide to support her in this search. They give her a sum of money and a car so that she can drive around Maine to investigate.

Eventually, she plans to go to New York City to find her mother.

This book is mostly fascinating because of how dated it is. It was written in an age before open adoption and before the internet.

It is a very quick and interesting read. The depiction of the social mores of the late 1970s as well as 1960 when Natalie was born is truly fascinating to read from a 2018 perspective.

It offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era and the challenges and emotions that a young girl like Natalie would have faced in her search for her birth mother.
July 15,2025
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This was one of Lowry's first books.

Undoubtedly, the prose in this work isn't as smooth as that in, for example, The Giver.

However, what truly stands out are the intense emotions and the excellent character development that are taking place within its pages.

The author manages to bring the characters to life in a way that makes the reader deeply invested in their stories and feelings.

Despite the less polished prose, the overall impact of the book is still significant due to its strong emotional core and well-crafted characters.

It shows the early signs of Lowry's talent and potential as a writer, hinting at the greatness that she would achieve in her later works.

Even though it may not be as refined as some of her more famous books, it still has its own charm and value that make it worth reading.
July 15,2025
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"Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye" is a captivating story that delves into Natalie Armstrong's profound journey to discover the crucial element lacking in her life - her birth mother.

As a remarkable high school graduation gift, her adoptive parents present her with the essential documents and financial means to commence her arduous search for her biological mother. Natalie's life on the surface appears idyllic. She has eccentric yet deeply affectionate adoptive parents, a wonderful boyfriend, and a promising future ahead. However, beneath this veneer of perfection, she still experiences a sense of incompleteness.

The narrative unfolds as her search ultimately leads her to New York, where her mother resides. This book serves as an excellent resource when studying story elements like plot. Students can meticulously analyze her journey in relation to specific points on a plot map, such as the exposition, which sets the stage for her adventure, and the climax, which marks the most intense and pivotal moment of her search.

Lowry, L. (1978). Find a stranger, say goodbye. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
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