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Finding Zoe: A Deaf Woman's Journey of Love, Identity, and Adoption
Brandi Rarus lost her hearing at age six. She met her husband Tim after seeing him at the Gallaudet Uprising, and they fell in love a year later, devoting their lives to each other, improving the lives and communication for the Deaf, and later, raising their three hearing sons.
Despite being head over heels for her boys, Brandi kept dreaming that she’d have a daughter someday. She didn’t know when or how, but she knew a little girl was out there waiting for her.
When Zoe was born to Jess, a high school student who knew she couldn’t raise a baby on her own, Jess did her best to find the ideal couple to raise her little girl. But when the adoptive family discovered Zoe’s increasing hearing loss, they made the agonizing decision to let her go.
Set against the backdrop of Deaf America, Finding Zoe is story about a remarkable family and gives us a poignant insight into their culture and its history. It’s a story about doing what is right and watching how the pieces can just fall into place, as it did when Zoe found her true family.
Despite being head over heels for her boys, Brandi kept dreaming that she’d have a daughter someday. She didn’t know when or how, but she knew a little girl was out there waiting for her.
When Zoe was born to Jess, a high school student who knew she couldn’t raise a baby on her own, Jess did her best to find the ideal couple to raise her little girl. But when the adoptive family discovered Zoe’s increasing hearing loss, they made the agonizing decision to let her go.
Set against the backdrop of Deaf America, Finding Zoe is story about a remarkable family and gives us a poignant insight into their culture and its history. It’s a story about doing what is right and watching how the pieces can just fall into place, as it did when Zoe found her true family.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2014
73 people are currently reading
1366 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
December 15, 2015
All the feels! Oh my goodness. I thought I was being sneaky, reading this book on my Kindle app at work, but by the end I was full-on sobbing and at risk of causing quite a scene. What a sweet story, full of love and loss and decisions.
Brandi Rarus is a mother -- a biological mother three times over, and an adoptive mother once over. She is Deaf and has three hearing sons, and then adopted a deaf daughter. The experience of adoption changed her, forcing her to examine her identity, her wishes for her children, her love for each of them, and her relationship with her husband. This book is the story of that self-exploration, and what it means for herself and her daughter.
I loved this book for several reasons. First, it offers an excellent introduction to Deaf history and culture, and to the complexities of identity and acceptance. Second, it offers an emotion-filled story of adoption and the many different definitions of being a parent. Third, it is such a lovely story of the amazing workings of the universe (or God, if you are Christian like the author).
However, I found the reading experience compromised by the amount of judgment that was cast upon McDonald's employees, construction workers, teen moms, welfare recipients, and amoral non-Christians who have sex before marriage. Rarus's distaste for this class of people is subtle but pervasive, and completely unapologetic. While it is true that many teen moms struggle financially, many also go on to do just fine in life. While working at McDonald's might not seem like an ideal job, it is steady employment with a company that promotes from within. Welfare isn't a death sentence -- for many it is a stepping stone to improving their situation. College isn't for everyone (and doesn't need to be!). Construction is an admirable (and lucrative) career option. And not all unwed biological fathers need to be made to "come around" to understanding that they can't care for their children; to the contrary, many make excellent single dads. The amount of prejudice and classism peppered throughout this book left a very bitter taste in my mouth. That it came from someone who has herself experienced significant discrimination made it even worse.
Overall an enjoyable read. But... brace yourself for a healthy dose of self-righteousness.
Brandi Rarus is a mother -- a biological mother three times over, and an adoptive mother once over. She is Deaf and has three hearing sons, and then adopted a deaf daughter. The experience of adoption changed her, forcing her to examine her identity, her wishes for her children, her love for each of them, and her relationship with her husband. This book is the story of that self-exploration, and what it means for herself and her daughter.
I loved this book for several reasons. First, it offers an excellent introduction to Deaf history and culture, and to the complexities of identity and acceptance. Second, it offers an emotion-filled story of adoption and the many different definitions of being a parent. Third, it is such a lovely story of the amazing workings of the universe (or God, if you are Christian like the author).
However, I found the reading experience compromised by the amount of judgment that was cast upon McDonald's employees, construction workers, teen moms, welfare recipients, and amoral non-Christians who have sex before marriage. Rarus's distaste for this class of people is subtle but pervasive, and completely unapologetic. While it is true that many teen moms struggle financially, many also go on to do just fine in life. While working at McDonald's might not seem like an ideal job, it is steady employment with a company that promotes from within. Welfare isn't a death sentence -- for many it is a stepping stone to improving their situation. College isn't for everyone (and doesn't need to be!). Construction is an admirable (and lucrative) career option. And not all unwed biological fathers need to be made to "come around" to understanding that they can't care for their children; to the contrary, many make excellent single dads. The amount of prejudice and classism peppered throughout this book left a very bitter taste in my mouth. That it came from someone who has herself experienced significant discrimination made it even worse.
Overall an enjoyable read. But... brace yourself for a healthy dose of self-righteousness.
March 6, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and raw emotion in this book. Had it not been so rooted in faith and giving all event success and consequence to God, I might have liked it a bit more.
November 12, 2014
Everything about this book had me convinced that I was going to love it. The description pulled me right in.
In reality, I was left with a story that seemed to flatter very few of the people involved and had the tone of a 'self-published and released on Kindle for free' story. If this was a story that Brandi wanted to record for Zoe, it would be a great addition to the family records. As a book for the public, however, it fell flat.
In reality, I was left with a story that seemed to flatter very few of the people involved and had the tone of a 'self-published and released on Kindle for free' story. If this was a story that Brandi wanted to record for Zoe, it would be a great addition to the family records. As a book for the public, however, it fell flat.
March 3, 2021
For my ASL class, we're required to get a certain number of Deaf Culture hours, and one of the ways we're allowed to do that is through reading. So, this book was for Deaf Culture hours. But honestly, I would have picked it up anyway--adoption intrigues me, as does Deaf Culture, so it's a melding of two things I really enjoy learning about!
I appreciated hearing about the author's childhood as a Deaf person in a hearing family, and seeing the implicit contrast between herself and her daughter.
One of the things that's most controversial in the Deaf world is oralism vs. ASL, and I thought that the author walked that line really gracefully, in a very diplomatic way. I would have liked to hear what happened about the cochlear implant, though.
I found that diplomacy laced through the entire book--the author has so much sympathy and love for everyone involved, even in places where, as an adoptive parent, it would have been easy for her to have resentment or anger towards some of the people involved.
I did feel like the story kind of ended in a, "And so we got our baby, and now we're living happily ever after" sort of way. I would have loved to hear more about their life after they brought Zoe home, and the challenges they dealt with, etc. There was some of that in the epilogue, though, so I can't complain too much. :)
Overall, 4 stars! This was a good, fun, short read that taught me some things about Deaf Culture. :)
I appreciated hearing about the author's childhood as a Deaf person in a hearing family, and seeing the implicit contrast between herself and her daughter.
One of the things that's most controversial in the Deaf world is oralism vs. ASL, and I thought that the author walked that line really gracefully, in a very diplomatic way. I would have liked to hear what happened about the cochlear implant, though.
I found that diplomacy laced through the entire book--the author has so much sympathy and love for everyone involved, even in places where, as an adoptive parent, it would have been easy for her to have resentment or anger towards some of the people involved.
I did feel like the story kind of ended in a, "And so we got our baby, and now we're living happily ever after" sort of way. I would have loved to hear more about their life after they brought Zoe home, and the challenges they dealt with, etc. There was some of that in the epilogue, though, so I can't complain too much. :)
Overall, 4 stars! This was a good, fun, short read that taught me some things about Deaf Culture. :)
July 13, 2014
Love & Life Changing
This book is simply profound. It sounds like a cliché to say it could your life – but it may! Once you read the first paragraph you are compelled to ignore the world and continue reading. I could not stop until I turned the last page. This is a multi-generational love story that started long before Zoe found her forever family. The honest, raw interviews that went into writing this story are what make it vastly different from any book I have ever read. A glimpse into the deaf community brings wonder and awe. The emotional road that a Mother walks to build her family through adoption is shared as well. Saying this is a well written book does not express just how well it is written. Like a well-tuned instrument, the tension that builds as baby Zoe moves from one family to the next has your heart racing—even though you know there is a happy ending. This is a book of lifelong friendships, a book of a wonderful marriage and a book that explains why there is no limit to how many people can love your daughter so that she doesn’t merely survive, she thrives. This is a ten star book! I will be pre-ordering many copies of this book to share with family and friends. Enjoy! NetGalley and BenBella Books provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book is simply profound. It sounds like a cliché to say it could your life – but it may! Once you read the first paragraph you are compelled to ignore the world and continue reading. I could not stop until I turned the last page. This is a multi-generational love story that started long before Zoe found her forever family. The honest, raw interviews that went into writing this story are what make it vastly different from any book I have ever read. A glimpse into the deaf community brings wonder and awe. The emotional road that a Mother walks to build her family through adoption is shared as well. Saying this is a well written book does not express just how well it is written. Like a well-tuned instrument, the tension that builds as baby Zoe moves from one family to the next has your heart racing—even though you know there is a happy ending. This is a book of lifelong friendships, a book of a wonderful marriage and a book that explains why there is no limit to how many people can love your daughter so that she doesn’t merely survive, she thrives. This is a ten star book! I will be pre-ordering many copies of this book to share with family and friends. Enjoy! NetGalley and BenBella Books provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
December 31, 2022
This book contained slot of very interesting historical information on Deaf culture. It was different seeing the world from a completely different perspective. It touches in several sensitive topics. I would highly recommend this book! You can see Gods work through their lives!
January 8, 2019
Partly Rarus's own story and partly her adopted daughter's story, Finding Zoe begins with Rarus's coming-of-age as a young woman trying to navigate her way in a world not designed for the Deaf, and trying to figure out whether she wants to focus her efforts on the hearing world or the Deaf world. Eventually she shifts to talking about her daughter's background: teenage biological mother, multiple stints in foster care, a first attempt at adoption that failed when the prospective parents learned that Zoe (then Celine) was going to have significant-to-total hearing loss and might or might not face other challenges.
It's an interesting read but feels as though Rarus is walking this very strange, very specific line: on the one hand trying to present a positive view of everyone involved ('we ended up with Zoe, which means everyone eventually made the right choices!') while at the same time coming off as really judgmental ('a young single father couldn't possibly have been a good enough parent! Clearly the birth mother ended up pregnant because she'd strayed too far from God's word!') I'm definitely left with the impression that Zoe's birth mother did her utmost best to make sure that Zoe would have a good life while also making sure that her own life stayed on track, and it sounds like things have worked out for all involved, which is great. But writing-wise, this was pretty middle-of-the-road.
It's an interesting read but feels as though Rarus is walking this very strange, very specific line: on the one hand trying to present a positive view of everyone involved ('we ended up with Zoe, which means everyone eventually made the right choices!') while at the same time coming off as really judgmental ('a young single father couldn't possibly have been a good enough parent! Clearly the birth mother ended up pregnant because she'd strayed too far from God's word!') I'm definitely left with the impression that Zoe's birth mother did her utmost best to make sure that Zoe would have a good life while also making sure that her own life stayed on track, and it sounds like things have worked out for all involved, which is great. But writing-wise, this was pretty middle-of-the-road.
November 15, 2015
I enjoy books that put me in someone else's shoes for a bit. I don't have children, or really want them, yet this story of a woman who longed to be a mother of a little girl really pulled me in through her determination and total self-knowledge of what she wanted. I am hearing yet I was fascinated by the history and struggle of Deaf people as this book tells the story of a revolutionary time in Deaf culture. The author's personal struggle of identity as a Deaf individual resonated with me as I have faced my own issues of identity in this world, yet her perspective was so enlightening as I have never thought of the issues of identity that are particular to people finding their way within the Deaf community specifically.
I found the parts about Deaf culture to be the most interesting and I hope to continue reading and learning about it. I was not as interested in the half of the book devoted to adoption but I could see this book being very encouraging and helpful to those who are embarking on this path. The lesson derived from the author's experience is to persevere. I truly appreciated her treatment of all of the characters we met along this journey and respect her message of looking beyond the tragedies you encounter in life and being open to a bigger picture, where setbacks eventually lead us on the path we were meant to follow. The author might frame this as "God's plan" but as I am not a religious person, I could appreciate that this message was not force-fed to me as a singularly religious approach, but as a way of looking at the world and one's experiences.
Overall, an interesting story!
(I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
I found the parts about Deaf culture to be the most interesting and I hope to continue reading and learning about it. I was not as interested in the half of the book devoted to adoption but I could see this book being very encouraging and helpful to those who are embarking on this path. The lesson derived from the author's experience is to persevere. I truly appreciated her treatment of all of the characters we met along this journey and respect her message of looking beyond the tragedies you encounter in life and being open to a bigger picture, where setbacks eventually lead us on the path we were meant to follow. The author might frame this as "God's plan" but as I am not a religious person, I could appreciate that this message was not force-fed to me as a singularly religious approach, but as a way of looking at the world and one's experiences.
Overall, an interesting story!
(I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
December 28, 2014
Finding Zoe is a heartwarming that is encouraging, and it has a deep meaning behind the story. Brandi Rarus is an deaf individual, and this novel is her memoir. The memoir is broken down into three parts: Brandi's childhood, Jess(Zoe's biological mother), and the third part is the adoption of Zoe. Zoe is a six month year child, who needed a family and Brandi had decided to adopt her.
Zoe's childhood consists of self-acceptance, she had a good childhood majority of the time, but she did struggle with her deafness. She struggled with her identity as any other person would. I do like reading books where the protagonist or narrative is dead, it adds a unique yet sensitive touch to the book. It's surprising she did not become bitter about her deafness, but rather she embraced it. The story's touch on teen pregnancy as well, the father's perspective on Zoe was fascinating to read about. I liked the bond between Zoe and Brandi, it's one of my most favorite parts of the novel.
I did like the religious approach Brandi had taken, since I am religious, although, at times it did feel the author imagined that as the only way to have a perspective about life. A singular approach to life, I cannot relate to as much - I also do believe it's the person's own ability to succeed in life as well. It does have an interesting story though, Finding Zoe is encouraging novel about a woman's struggle and finding a place in life. It's an an emotional, honest, and raw story that I enjoyed reading from the beginning to the end.
Disclosure: Review Copy was sent free of charge courtesy of BenBella Books.
Zoe's childhood consists of self-acceptance, she had a good childhood majority of the time, but she did struggle with her deafness. She struggled with her identity as any other person would. I do like reading books where the protagonist or narrative is dead, it adds a unique yet sensitive touch to the book. It's surprising she did not become bitter about her deafness, but rather she embraced it. The story's touch on teen pregnancy as well, the father's perspective on Zoe was fascinating to read about. I liked the bond between Zoe and Brandi, it's one of my most favorite parts of the novel.
I did like the religious approach Brandi had taken, since I am religious, although, at times it did feel the author imagined that as the only way to have a perspective about life. A singular approach to life, I cannot relate to as much - I also do believe it's the person's own ability to succeed in life as well. It does have an interesting story though, Finding Zoe is encouraging novel about a woman's struggle and finding a place in life. It's an an emotional, honest, and raw story that I enjoyed reading from the beginning to the end.
Disclosure: Review Copy was sent free of charge courtesy of BenBella Books.
January 23, 2015
When I began reading this book, I knew very little of the struggles of the deaf community. I knew about Helen Keller, and I had heard things here and there. But there was nothing like reading the account from the perspective of a deaf woman. I had no idea how hard they had to fight to be hard--almost harder than African Americans did. And that part of the story was completely engrossing.
Her adoption story was truly heart-touching, and my eyes were opened to so many things. Deafness is something that is not mentioned much in the hearing community. How refreshing it was to read the personal perspective. The book was never boring, and I believe the author accomplished more than she even set out to do. She told so much more than a simple adoption story. She gave life to the people of the deaf community, and I believe I will pay more attention to this group of people in the future.
I was sent a copy of ths book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
Her adoption story was truly heart-touching, and my eyes were opened to so many things. Deafness is something that is not mentioned much in the hearing community. How refreshing it was to read the personal perspective. The book was never boring, and I believe the author accomplished more than she even set out to do. She told so much more than a simple adoption story. She gave life to the people of the deaf community, and I believe I will pay more attention to this group of people in the future.
I was sent a copy of ths book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
February 11, 2018
Wow...so many thoughts on this book. Brandi shares so much of her personal feelings but at the end of the book it’s hard to like her. I can’t get over how weird it must be for her three sons to read a book about how much their mom wanted a daughter.
I believe Brandi is somewhat of an outsider in the Deaf community; it’s her husband who was front and center of DPN and she has ridden his coattails. As an ASL teacher and lifelong student of the Deaf community, I had not heard of her.
The one thing this book does have is passion, which is why I stuck it out. Everyone has a unique story to share, even though it’s weird that Brandi tells them.
I believe Brandi is somewhat of an outsider in the Deaf community; it’s her husband who was front and center of DPN and she has ridden his coattails. As an ASL teacher and lifelong student of the Deaf community, I had not heard of her.
The one thing this book does have is passion, which is why I stuck it out. Everyone has a unique story to share, even though it’s weird that Brandi tells them.
December 19, 2015
This book is excellent for the Hearing community who does not have the faintest idea about the Deaf community, its culture, or language. It was interesting to know where the Z comes from when referring to the ZVRS (Video Relay Services) company.
August 6, 2014
This was a sweet, deeply personal story of how the author found her place in the Deaf world and then found a Deaf daughter to complete her family.
April 9, 2016
Being an adopted child myself, I really enjoy reading about people who chose that option and why.
The history of deaf culture and the authors experience growing up deaf were really enlightening.
The history of deaf culture and the authors experience growing up deaf were really enlightening.
April 6, 2019
This book is wonderful story that really pulls at ones heart strings. Whether you know about Deaf culture or not this is a wonderfully written story about a family become whole. A story of multiple families trying to do what is best for a child. The love for this child from all involved is so easily felt in this story.
I like that this story doesn't only talk about the story from the adoptive family's perspective, every one involved is represented in this book. No one is played to be "the bad guy" in the way this book is written. This book is so real. So deep about all the people involved. Process like this happen all the time and this is just one of the many stories out their. This one just happened to be about a deaf little girl who ended up in the best home for her.
What I love most about this book is that Brandi Rarus wrote all about how she became comfortable in her own skin. She wrote about her past in a way that you truly get to understand her and how she became the person that she is. I also love the way that she wrote about the Deaf President Now movement. I have read many books that just write about the facts, about how many days the school was shut down, when the demands of the students were met, etc. But Brandi tells a much more in depth, personal side of the story. That is a side of the story that I have never read before and I enjoyed it very very much!
I like that this story doesn't only talk about the story from the adoptive family's perspective, every one involved is represented in this book. No one is played to be "the bad guy" in the way this book is written. This book is so real. So deep about all the people involved. Process like this happen all the time and this is just one of the many stories out their. This one just happened to be about a deaf little girl who ended up in the best home for her.
What I love most about this book is that Brandi Rarus wrote all about how she became comfortable in her own skin. She wrote about her past in a way that you truly get to understand her and how she became the person that she is. I also love the way that she wrote about the Deaf President Now movement. I have read many books that just write about the facts, about how many days the school was shut down, when the demands of the students were met, etc. But Brandi tells a much more in depth, personal side of the story. That is a side of the story that I have never read before and I enjoyed it very very much!
November 24, 2021
The writing was terrible—full of colloquialisms. I wonder how the author’s three sons feel about hearing how much their mother wanted a daughter. In the end, this story fell flat for me.
September 26, 2014
About the Book:
Brandi Rarus lost her hearing at age six. She met her husband Tim after seeing him at the Gallaudet Uprising, and they fell in love a year later, devoting their lives to each other, improving the lives and communication for the Deaf, and later, raising their three hearing sons.
Despite being head over heels for her boys, Brandi kept dreaming that she’d have a daughter someday. She didn’t know when or how, but she knew a little girl was out there waiting for her.
When Zoe was born to Jess, a high school student who knew she couldn’t raise a baby on her own, Jess did her best to find the ideal couple to raise her little girl. But when the adoptive family discovered Zoe’s increasing hearing loss, they made the agonizing decision to let her go.
Set against the backdrop of Deaf America, Finding Zoe is story about a remarkable family and gives us a poignant insight into their culture and its history. It’s a story about doing what is right and watching how the pieces can just fall into place, as it did when Zoe found her true family.
About the Author:
Deaf since age six after contracting spinal meningitis, Brandi Rarus could speak and read lips, but felt caught between the deaf and hearing world--fitting into neither. When she realized you don't need to hear to live a fulfilled life, she became empowered and was chosen as Miss Deaf America. She married Tim Rarus, an advocate for Deaf people whose work inspired the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Together, they have paved the way to bring new technologies that promote equal access in communication. Brandi and Tim live in Austin, Texas, with their four children: three hearing boys and the youngest, Zoe, a Deaf girl they adopted. Today, Brandi and her family are tirelessly dedicated to ensuring all children find their rightful place in our world. Award-winning writer and teacher of the intuitive process.
Gail Harris has experienced the joy of adopting a child. She brings her knowledge of the adoption process and in-vitro fertilization to this book, along with her ability to articulate from a hearing person's perspective what is fascinating about the Deaf experience. In the four years that it took to write Finding Zoe, Gail conducted more than 75 interviews to uncover. Gail is the author of Your Heart Knows the Answer and a featured blogger on several popular parenting blogs. She lives with her husband and son in Framingham, MA.
My Review:
Brandi has led a somewhat full life, in spite of her personal handicap. She is a very beautiful woman that shares a home with a great family and they are able to grow that love outside their home by helping others in any way that they can. But the difference with the Brandi and Tim is that they are deaf, but they don't allow that to stand in their way of being a servant to those around them. Zoe is a sweet, little girl that they adopted to complete their family. They have a total of four children with Zoe being the only one of their children that is deaf.
The story that has brought this family to where it is, is a truly remarkable one that should inspire us all to be better and to do better. God has a way of changing our direction though and that is exactly what He did for Brandi. He showed her to not only accept her disability but showed her how to see herself as God does. And she uses it to help others see the same things in themselves. This was a very emotional, raw story of a girl trying to fit in and be accepted only to find out that God and His love is the only acceptance she should seek.
If you would like to learn more about this book, you can at this link.
*Note* This book has some mild language in it. Maybe just as many as four words were mentioned.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Pump Up Your Book.
Brandi Rarus lost her hearing at age six. She met her husband Tim after seeing him at the Gallaudet Uprising, and they fell in love a year later, devoting their lives to each other, improving the lives and communication for the Deaf, and later, raising their three hearing sons.
Despite being head over heels for her boys, Brandi kept dreaming that she’d have a daughter someday. She didn’t know when or how, but she knew a little girl was out there waiting for her.
When Zoe was born to Jess, a high school student who knew she couldn’t raise a baby on her own, Jess did her best to find the ideal couple to raise her little girl. But when the adoptive family discovered Zoe’s increasing hearing loss, they made the agonizing decision to let her go.
Set against the backdrop of Deaf America, Finding Zoe is story about a remarkable family and gives us a poignant insight into their culture and its history. It’s a story about doing what is right and watching how the pieces can just fall into place, as it did when Zoe found her true family.
About the Author:
Deaf since age six after contracting spinal meningitis, Brandi Rarus could speak and read lips, but felt caught between the deaf and hearing world--fitting into neither. When she realized you don't need to hear to live a fulfilled life, she became empowered and was chosen as Miss Deaf America. She married Tim Rarus, an advocate for Deaf people whose work inspired the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Together, they have paved the way to bring new technologies that promote equal access in communication. Brandi and Tim live in Austin, Texas, with their four children: three hearing boys and the youngest, Zoe, a Deaf girl they adopted. Today, Brandi and her family are tirelessly dedicated to ensuring all children find their rightful place in our world. Award-winning writer and teacher of the intuitive process.
Gail Harris has experienced the joy of adopting a child. She brings her knowledge of the adoption process and in-vitro fertilization to this book, along with her ability to articulate from a hearing person's perspective what is fascinating about the Deaf experience. In the four years that it took to write Finding Zoe, Gail conducted more than 75 interviews to uncover. Gail is the author of Your Heart Knows the Answer and a featured blogger on several popular parenting blogs. She lives with her husband and son in Framingham, MA.
My Review:
Brandi has led a somewhat full life, in spite of her personal handicap. She is a very beautiful woman that shares a home with a great family and they are able to grow that love outside their home by helping others in any way that they can. But the difference with the Brandi and Tim is that they are deaf, but they don't allow that to stand in their way of being a servant to those around them. Zoe is a sweet, little girl that they adopted to complete their family. They have a total of four children with Zoe being the only one of their children that is deaf.
The story that has brought this family to where it is, is a truly remarkable one that should inspire us all to be better and to do better. God has a way of changing our direction though and that is exactly what He did for Brandi. He showed her to not only accept her disability but showed her how to see herself as God does. And she uses it to help others see the same things in themselves. This was a very emotional, raw story of a girl trying to fit in and be accepted only to find out that God and His love is the only acceptance she should seek.
If you would like to learn more about this book, you can at this link.
*Note* This book has some mild language in it. Maybe just as many as four words were mentioned.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Pump Up Your Book.
April 5, 2017
A very good book about finding the family you were meant to have.
It was also neat to learn more about DPN through the eyes of people who were there.
It was also neat to learn more about DPN through the eyes of people who were there.
November 3, 2014
This was not only a book about adoption but also one of self acceptance. Brandi struggled with her deafness, ultimately coming to terms with it and embracing deaf culture. After giving birth to 3 boys Brandi still yearned for a girl and had applied to adopt from China when they were called about a baby in foster care with severe hearing loss.
This book is broken into 3 different parts. The first is the story of Brandi, becoming deaf at age 6, struggling with her identity and then acceptance, marriage and children. The second part of the book focuses on Jess, Zoe's birth mother and her story of finding out she was pregnant, deciding what to do and embracing adoption. Finding a family only to have the birth father fight for custody and the adoptive parents decide that they couldn't parent a child with hearing loss, leading her to again make a choice to parent or find a new family. It is also the story of the birth father, whose stories often go untold. You learn about his emotions and the reasons behind his choices. The final part revolved around after Brandi and her family adopt Zoe and their relationship with her birth families.
I really enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from the very beginning. Learning about Brandi's struggles, reading about the Birth parents and finally learning how it all came together in the end. I loved that everything came full circle and it was great having all the different perspectives. I wasn't too psyched about some of the adoption agency's practices but I'm glad things worked out in the end. Highly recommended.
This book is broken into 3 different parts. The first is the story of Brandi, becoming deaf at age 6, struggling with her identity and then acceptance, marriage and children. The second part of the book focuses on Jess, Zoe's birth mother and her story of finding out she was pregnant, deciding what to do and embracing adoption. Finding a family only to have the birth father fight for custody and the adoptive parents decide that they couldn't parent a child with hearing loss, leading her to again make a choice to parent or find a new family. It is also the story of the birth father, whose stories often go untold. You learn about his emotions and the reasons behind his choices. The final part revolved around after Brandi and her family adopt Zoe and their relationship with her birth families.
I really enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from the very beginning. Learning about Brandi's struggles, reading about the Birth parents and finally learning how it all came together in the end. I loved that everything came full circle and it was great having all the different perspectives. I wasn't too psyched about some of the adoption agency's practices but I'm glad things worked out in the end. Highly recommended.
December 20, 2015
“Finding Zoe” is a non-fiction story of a deaf woman and her family whose quest to adopt a daughter brings them Zoe, a deaf infant who has been turned out of several homes because of her disability.
I am not familiar with this author or her story (prior to the book of course), but she is apparently quite a staple in the deaf community. Her book is in three parts- first, the author’s place and position within the deaf community, how she got there and what challenges she faced. The second part told of the birth mother’s life and the struggle that came with the decision to give her daughter up for adoption while the final part was the introduction of Zoe into her adoptive family.
This book was dry at times, and the three parts of the novel were extremely different, and did not seem to connect at all until the final chapters. Advocates of deaf culture, and those of the deaf community, would feel a stronger connection to the first few chapters than hearing readers.
The story of Zoe was a unique one and I understand why it was told. It ended happily for everyone, and of course, was full of strong and passionate emotions. Although it would be more relatable for those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, it is also a great book to read if you are seeking information on the deaf culture, and what it’s like to be a member. This book is not for everyone, but there is definitely something to be learned within its pages.
I am not familiar with this author or her story (prior to the book of course), but she is apparently quite a staple in the deaf community. Her book is in three parts- first, the author’s place and position within the deaf community, how she got there and what challenges she faced. The second part told of the birth mother’s life and the struggle that came with the decision to give her daughter up for adoption while the final part was the introduction of Zoe into her adoptive family.
This book was dry at times, and the three parts of the novel were extremely different, and did not seem to connect at all until the final chapters. Advocates of deaf culture, and those of the deaf community, would feel a stronger connection to the first few chapters than hearing readers.
The story of Zoe was a unique one and I understand why it was told. It ended happily for everyone, and of course, was full of strong and passionate emotions. Although it would be more relatable for those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, it is also a great book to read if you are seeking information on the deaf culture, and what it’s like to be a member. This book is not for everyone, but there is definitely something to be learned within its pages.
June 19, 2015
Brandi became deaf at six years old. Since she was born to hearing parents and spoke for the first six years of her life, she spent the rest of her growing up years trying to straddle the fence between the hearing community and the deaf community. This is her story and the story of how she found her daughter Zoe.
Written in an honest and sometimes raw voice, the authors tell the story of how Brandi struggled and finally grew to accept her deafness as a blessing from God. Readers will learn more about the deaf community, it's history, and the changes that have happened in the past few years to make living as a deaf person in a hearing world easier.
I enjoyed the style of writing and the story like feel of the book. But what I really appreciated was the glimpse into a culture that is so different from my own. This is a book deals with adoption, becoming deaf, the deaf community and it's history, fighting for the rights of the minorities, and dealing with conflicts in life. I feel like I'm more educated having read it and it gave me several thoughts to ponder.
I received this book free of charge from News & Experts in exchange for my honest review.
Written in an honest and sometimes raw voice, the authors tell the story of how Brandi struggled and finally grew to accept her deafness as a blessing from God. Readers will learn more about the deaf community, it's history, and the changes that have happened in the past few years to make living as a deaf person in a hearing world easier.
I enjoyed the style of writing and the story like feel of the book. But what I really appreciated was the glimpse into a culture that is so different from my own. This is a book deals with adoption, becoming deaf, the deaf community and it's history, fighting for the rights of the minorities, and dealing with conflicts in life. I feel like I'm more educated having read it and it gave me several thoughts to ponder.
I received this book free of charge from News & Experts in exchange for my honest review.
October 25, 2014
This is a fantastic book! It hooked me from the beginning and I hated to put it down. The author, Brandi Rarus becomes deaf from spinal meningitis and this her story about how she learned to accept it as not a disability, but a gift. The history of Deaf Culture that's found in the first parts of the book is very interesting. The author is about my age and grew up in a nearby Chicago suburb. After marrying and having 3 healthy, hearing boys, she feels she is missing having a daughter. She and her husband plan to adopt a from China, but then she gets an email from her local adoption agency about an infant girl with hearing loss. The entire book is well-told and flows well. I very much recommend Finding Zoe: A Deaf Woman's Story of Identity, Love, and Adoption by Brandi Rarus.
I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
October 18, 2014
Five days a week I wake up at 6:00 a.m. to the sound of Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" blaring from my iPhone. Most days when I hear that sound I say to myself, "Is it really time to get up?"
Why am I starting with this little anecdote? Because I think I take for granted that I can hear the sound of my alarm. I don't think I'm alone in that feeling. What if one day I couldn't hear at all? I'm not sure I would know how to deal with that. Would I still be the same person? That's just one of the many questions I was asking myself after reading Finding Zoe: A Deaf Woman's Story of Identity, Love, and Adoption by Brandi Rarus.
Read the rest of my review at:
http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
Why am I starting with this little anecdote? Because I think I take for granted that I can hear the sound of my alarm. I don't think I'm alone in that feeling. What if one day I couldn't hear at all? I'm not sure I would know how to deal with that. Would I still be the same person? That's just one of the many questions I was asking myself after reading Finding Zoe: A Deaf Woman's Story of Identity, Love, and Adoption by Brandi Rarus.
Read the rest of my review at:
http://www.asiturnthepages.blogspot.c...
January 22, 2016
Brandi gives a great perspective of what it was like becoming deaf and having to choose which world to live in the Deaf one or the hearing one. I would have loved to have learned more of what it was like for her other immediate family members - learning ASL is not always easy for everyone. And Brandi often was providing the view of the other people in her story so it wouldn't have been too far a leap. I thought Brandi's descriptions of the other people's perspectives were often described from her own view point which I feel would lose true perspective. I also felt at times her story jumped around between different historical time points making it hard to follow if you were not already aware of these events.
March 11, 2016
I was given this book by a family friend who knows of my interest in sign language and deafness. This book is a fantastic memoir that tells the story of how Brandi and Tim came to adopt Zoe. It is set against the backdrop of Brandi and Tim meeting and uprisings at Gauladet University (the main American university for the deaf). I have read Oliver Sacks Book Seeing Voices which details this issue but Brandi approaches the subject in a much more interesting manner. The book also details the adoption process and the emotional turmoil experienced by Zoe's biological parents before her adoption. I found the book was addictive, I could not put it down. I will recommend it to all with an interest in the deaf community, deafness or the adoption process.
September 26, 2014
Thanks to NetGalley I have been given an advance copy of Finding Zoe. I always lean toward books in my field which is disability education. This is the very complete touching account of several families and several sets of parents who put together a perfect situation for a child who is deaf. It is remarkable that the author was able to tell the whole story with the cooperation of all the persons involved. You feel as if you know the story of this adoption as well as the people involved. You will be moved to tears by the situations of this small deaf infant's adoption story and warmed by the truly happy ending. It is so heartwarming it's like reading a true fairy tale!!
November 10, 2014
This was such a great autobiography. It talks about how Brandi lost her hearing as a child. We follow her to college and meeting her husband. Then they were blessed with 3 hearing boys. Even though she loved her boys with her whole heart something was missing. Then comes her daughter and the bond between them is amazing.
I loved reading about all the things they accomplished. How they grew into their own and they flourished. The mother daughter bond really touched me. I recommend this book to anyone who love reading about strong people who do not let adversity stop them.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for and honest review
I loved reading about all the things they accomplished. How they grew into their own and they flourished. The mother daughter bond really touched me. I recommend this book to anyone who love reading about strong people who do not let adversity stop them.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for and honest review
March 7, 2016
I normally do not actually write a review about a book I've read. but this is the clear exception to that rule. I found this story moving and touching. And I really appreciated the story of this woman who loses her hearing at a tender age, and her finding her own identity through the adoption of her Daughter. This book has lots of great reviews. And I do love a good autobiography.
A quote I liked from the book was from the book.
"This thing called inspiration [is] rather like a butterfly ... deaf and blind, but luminous."
--Camilo Jose Cela, Nobel Laureate
A quote I liked from the book was from the book.
"This thing called inspiration [is] rather like a butterfly ... deaf and blind, but luminous."
--Camilo Jose Cela, Nobel Laureate
November 14, 2014
I really love this story. I could relate in many ways. I am Deaf myself and I would like to adopt someday.
It talks about Brandi's life so you could understand why she was perfect person to have Zoe in her arms. Terrible experience for Zoe under age of one which turns into something miracle. Amazing story.
Thank you Brandi for sharing that story.
It talks about Brandi's life so you could understand why she was perfect person to have Zoe in her arms. Terrible experience for Zoe under age of one which turns into something miracle. Amazing story.
Thank you Brandi for sharing that story.
April 23, 2019
Good story; a little heavy (for me) on the religious overtones of judgment at some points, and not the best edited. Even with those points that are probably only sticklers to me, I enjoyed the story and getting to know the people. Aside from the adoption/religion aspects, it's a good look from the hearing world into the Deaf World. A little something for a variety of reading interests.
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