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Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found
Blackbird A Childhood Lost and Found
Author: Jennifer Lauck
With the startling emotional immediacy of a fractured family photo album, Jennifer Lauck's incandescent memoir is the story of an ordinary girl growing up at the turn of the 1970s and the truly extraordinary circumstances of a childhood lost. Wrenching and unforgettable, Blackbird will carry your heart away. The house on Mary Street was ...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780671042554
ISBN-10: 0671042556
Publication Date: 10/1/2000
Pages: 416
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 119

4.1 stars, based on 119 ratings
Publisher: Atria
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Blackbird is written by an Oregon author, so thus I chose to read it. But I found it to be a life changing read. This is the story of amazing loss, abuse, and the desire for a future in the life of a young girl. It is not terribly graphic but you get the idea where difficult subject matter is addressed. It is the true story of the author herself. It has compelled me to look for her next two books.
reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on
Helpful Score: 6
I cannot say enough about the way this book leaves you feeling. It is an honest look at the wrongs that this woman endured as a child. If you were ever any part of a blended family, this book will tear at you. It will leave you wanting more and more is available in the form of a sequel, Still Waters.

Coming from a sheltered background, I felt so naive about the lives of my peers. Looking back, I can only imagine the trials that many others must live through as children. Jennifer Lauk is a helpless warrior in Blackbird. True to the core of her being, she evolves fairly well intact despite her obstacles.
Ladyslott avatar reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 113 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Blackbird is the story of Jennifer Lauck's childhood, which is reflected in the sub-title- A Childhood Lost and Found. Told through the perspective of the child that she was, Jennifer tells of the harrowing six years of her life, from the ages of 5 to 11.

Five year old Jennifer is living with her parents and older brother Bryan. It is obvious that Janet, Jennifer's mother is in the end stages of a long illness, and Jennifer takes care of her mom as best she can at her young age. In the course of time Janet Lauck passes away, and the children are left with their father, a kind but overwhelmed man; he quickly remarries a woman with children of her own, who obviously does not care for Jennifer or Bryan at all. When another tragedy befalls the Lauck family, things go from bad to worse.

Although there is some abuse in the book, it is far more psychological than physical and quite disturbing. The indomitable spirit of Jennifer to keep on going, despite it all, is what lifts this book from maudlin to inspiring. The child's eye view of the adult world is heartbreaking at times, but you will care about this little girl and root for her right until the end, hoping someone or something good comes her way.
starshine93078 avatar reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is one of my favorite books. I have read both this one and the sequel, "Still Waters", several times and each time they get to the heart and soul of me like I've never read them before. Jennifer Lauck's writing is amazing, and although the book is heartbreaking, you are left with the promise of something better in the end.
reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 74 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Riveting memoir of childhood loss
Read All 53 Book Reviews of "Blackbird A Childhood Lost and Found"

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memorykeeper2 avatar reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on
Great story! I can't wait to read Still Waters next. I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed The Glass Castle.
sumrwind avatar reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 135 more book reviews
heart--wrenching story of death, loss & life in a childs view of what is. the author writes as if a child was actually telling a sad tale. worth the read and will never forget this one.
reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 29 more book reviews
This is a sad and tough book with just enough joy to make it a good read. It is a true story and I wish there were a sequal to see where the story leads in this young girl's life. You will enjoy it!
reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 13 more book reviews
This was a good book. It was kind of depressing, but not over the top.
reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 35 more book reviews
What a great find. This book is moving, the adventures and bravery of Jenny is inspiring, can't wait for the sequel to get to me!
reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on
This is a very good book. It is amazing the life she had as a child.
reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 34 more book reviews
This book is riveting and heartbreaking and I could not put it down. I read it cover to cover in 24 hours. It's a tragic, beautifully written memoir that is almost unbelievable. Having lost my own mother at age five, I cried along with Jennifer at every loss and cruel twist. I highly recommend this book...now I am ordering the sequel.
reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 7 more book reviews
this is a true story of the authors childhood, about the death of her mother with long term illnesses, the remarriage of her father, the death of her father and the hard times she had growing up. I found this book to be almost like cinderella but in modern times. this book takes place from 1968 to 1975. Her stepmother was very mean to her. She even found out she was adopted by her ill mother and father. whom later dies. she has an older brother named BJ who is 2 years older and very influenced. A very good book...
Kmarie avatar reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 529 more book reviews
This is an EXCELLENT memoir, and kept me interested until the very last word. I really appreciate what the author went through, and it was well written.
reviewed Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found on + 7 more book reviews
great audio book!


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