About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager begins to ask complex questions about their biological origins or expresses a sense of being 'untethered' from their family history. It is an ideal resource for adopted children navigating the difficult transition between childhood gratitude and the adolescent need for a self-defined identity. The story follows James, a competitive diver, as he leaves the comfort of his supportive adoptive home to search for his birth mother using only a fossilized snake-stone as a clue. Doherty masterfully balances the love James feels for his adoptive parents with the undeniable biological pull of his past. The book deals with themes of belonging, the weight of secrets, and the realization that identity is a mosaic of both nature and nurture. While written for young adults, its gentle prose and realistic portrayal of the search process make it a comforting, grounding read for any teen grappling with their place in the world.
