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Editorial Reviews
Dispatches from the new front lines of parenthood
When the two-time National Book Award finalist Melissa Fay Greene confided to friends that she and her husband planned to adopt a four-year-old boy from Bulgaria to add to their four children at home, the news threatened to place her, she writes, “among the greats: the Kennedys, the McCaughey septuplets, the von Trapp family singers, and perhaps even Mrs. Feodor Vassilyev, who, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, gave birth to sixty-nine children in eighteenth-century Russia.”
Greene is best known for her books on the civil rights movement and the African HIV/AIDS pandemic. She’s been praised for her “historian’s urge for accuracy,” her “sociologist’s sense of social nuance,” and her “writerly passion for the beauty of language.”
But Melissa and her husband have also pursued a more private vocation: parenthood. “We so loved raising our four children by birth, we didn’t want to stop. When the clock started to run down on the home team, we brought in ringers.”
When the number of children hit nine, Greene took a break from reporting. She trained her journalist’s eye upon events at home. Fisseha was riding a bike down the basement stairs; out on the porch, a squirrel was sitting on Jesse’s head; vulgar posters had erupted on bedroom walls; the insult niftam (the Amharic word for “snot”) had led to fistfights; and four non-native-English-speaking teenage boys were researching, on Mom’s computer, the subject of “saxing.”
But Melissa and her husband have also pursued a more private vocation: parenthood. “We so loved raising our four children by birth, we didn’t want to stop. When the clock started to run down on the home team, we brought in ringers.”
When the number of children hit nine, Greene took a break from reporting. She trained her journalist’s eye upon events at home. Fisseha was riding a bike down the basement stairs; out on the porch, a squirrel was sitting on Jesse’s head; vulgar posters had erupted on bedroom walls; the insult niftam (the Amharic word for “snot”) had led to fistfights; and four non-native-English-speaking teenage boys were researching, on Mom’s computer, the subject of “saxing.”
“At first I thought one of our trombone players was considering a change of instrument,” writes Greene. “Then I remembered: they can’t spell.”
Using the tools of her trade, she uncovered the true subject of the “saxing” investigation, inspiring the chapter “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, but Couldn’t Spell.”
A celebration of parenthood; an ingathering of children, through birth and out of loss and bereavement; a relishing of moments hilarious and enlightening—No Biking in the House Without a Helmet is a loving portrait of a unique twenty first-century family as it wobbles between disaster and joy.
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Couldn't put it down! Enchanting, inspiring and hilarious!
Dear Melissa (and future readers of this amazing book.)
Your book is...
well how can I put into words something that I am afraid to pick up, because then I just can't put it down. I read fast. I always have, my nickname as a small child was Bookie. My party trick was to pick up a book at age 2, turn it upside down and read it!
I don't want your book to end. I want to discover that instead of the 351 pages, it suddenly has 600 or even 900!!
Reality is, I am nearly at the end. Sigh.
Please let there be a sequel.
thank you. your adoring fan.
p.s. In case some readers are wondering... I do not work for any sort of publishing house etc. I am just a mom of three kids. Two of whom were born in Ethiopia....
Your book is...
well how can I put into words something that I am afraid to pick up, because then I just can't put it down. I read fast. I always have, my nickname as a small child was Bookie. My party trick was to pick up a book at age 2, turn it upside down and read it!
I don't want your book to end. I want to discover that instead of the 351 pages, it suddenly has 600 or even 900!!
Reality is, I am nearly at the end. Sigh.
Please let there be a sequel.
thank you. your adoring fan.
p.s. In case some readers are wondering... I do not work for any sort of publishing house etc. I am just a mom of three kids. Two of whom were born in Ethiopia....
This witty book is absolutely light-hearted and a joy to read. Ms. Greene does an incredible job telling her story of parenthood, marriage and life. I couldn't put it down. Absolutely brilliant.
The only time I think I have been guilty of child neglect was five years ago when I got a copy of Melissa Fay Greene's 'There Is No Me Without You' - and here I am today brushing the kids away because I just started reading No Biking In The House Without A Helmet which arrived yesterday from Amazon.com. I keep telling them to "go watch something", somewhat futile as we don't have a TV, but I have to say it is as completely engaging as her other books and a hilarious read. I can't put it down.
I can't say enough good things about this story, and about this family. The explanation of the desire to expand their family is heartfelt, honest, touching. The challenges of getting from point A to point B are clearly outlined, but are woven in to the story as part of the process, and not a deterrent to their goal or to the main story, which is all about love that a family had to share. The stories about the children are hilarious, cute, touching, occasionally sad, and all told with love and dignity. Ms. Greene is honest about her concerns and potential regrets, and doesn't sugarcoat some of the more difficult aspects of adoption. All of this makes for an excellent read that I couldn't recommend more. Read it instantly!
This is a wonderful, laugh-out-loud funny, heartfelt, vivid, and unflinchingly honest book. I laughed and cried, often making various family members listen while I read passages out loud. I've been a big fan since There is No Me Without You, but this book so hit the spot about parenting, adoption, and crazy family life.
As the mom of both a biological and an adopted child, her honest and loving recount of parenting all her children really struck home for me. I will be waiting impatiently to read whatever Melissa writes next!
As the mom of both a biological and an adopted child, her honest and loving recount of parenting all her children really struck home for me. I will be waiting impatiently to read whatever Melissa writes next!
This Book was a pleasure to read. I will give it as gift, to families with kids in teen years.
Hollywood, this is made to be filmed. This book will be a hit. Love is complicated in life but lough and anderstunding, will make difficult time worth living. Buy this lovely book you will not regrat it.
Sorry for the spelling.
Hollywood, this is made to be filmed. This book will be a hit. Love is complicated in life but lough and anderstunding, will make difficult time worth living. Buy this lovely book you will not regrat it.
Sorry for the spelling.
I loved this book from cover to cover. MFG is so open and honest about her adoption experience. Anyone that knows anything about adoption knows that it is not for sissies, but she does an amazing job of capturing the hardships along with the laughs. And by the way, this is not a book about MFG, this is a book about a family...all of them. She did not adopt children internationally, her entire family did. All of her children contributed to the process and each sibling is incredibly inspiring in his/her own way. MFG has created a beautiful legacy in her children. They are a large family, and often people question how one mom can be a mom to so many...this book answers that question.
On another note, the book is so well-written, in true MFG style. We are in the process of adopting from Uganda and I have recommended this book to everyone I know. This book is easily accessible and informative, even for those not adopting themselves. I think it is informative for family and friends of adoptive families and parents in general. I hope that my children will embrace adopting and caring for others, just as MFG's children have done.
I am so thankful that MFG wrote this book (and that her children allowed her to tell all the stories about them)! The final chapter is my favorite, but I will not tell you about it and include spoilers. Let's just say, it is the perfect way to wrap up this book.
On another note, the book is so well-written, in true MFG style. We are in the process of adopting from Uganda and I have recommended this book to everyone I know. This book is easily accessible and informative, even for those not adopting themselves. I think it is informative for family and friends of adoptive families and parents in general. I hope that my children will embrace adopting and caring for others, just as MFG's children have done.
I am so thankful that MFG wrote this book (and that her children allowed her to tell all the stories about them)! The final chapter is my favorite, but I will not tell you about it and include spoilers. Let's just say, it is the perfect way to wrap up this book.
What a roller coaster adventure in living!
Be ready to read your favorite book of the decade. I found myself laughing so loud that I woke up the family as Fisseha spears Frisbees while riding bikes, creates bolos, slingshots and fishing poles from the woods. Melissa deserves many prizes for patience, playing John Smith repeatedly, to her daughter's Pocohontas. Seth, Lee, Molly and Lily never resent the incoming adoptees and Lee volunteers at the orphanage in Ethiopia. When Jesse's birth mother and grandmother were discovered (through Melissa and Donny's efforts with a private investigator in Bulgaria) I bawled. I don't know how they kept it secret and waited for Jesse to ASK about it. The trip into the Entoto Mountains by the entire family, on foot, to visit Fisseha's grandmother and uncle was sooooo touching. Although the family got a dancing, clapping, whooping reception by the grandmother, they were surprised that Fisseha didn't get a special welcome. Then they discover that the grandmother did not even realize he was among the group. Through the only cell phone in the village they manage to call the only cell phone where Fisseha's mother and sister live. The two of them walk two hours to a paved road and then crouch in wait for a ten hour bus ride to the capital where the entire crowd of 25 people has lunch together. Daniel and Yosef were similarly touched when their grandmother and brother were contacted in southwest Ethiopia and traveled by horse and bus to Addis Ababa to visit with him. All along the way, the Samuels provide for the daily needs and educational needs of the families they touch. I can imagine the daily input to the duffle bags of bathing suits, clothing and toys they accumulated for each visit. I had a similar experience when I brought balloons to children in the Solomon Islands. The children could not blow up the balloon so they handed me the slobbered thing to blow up. I was not as wise as Melissa (to switch balloons) and complied. Boy, did I get sick from their saliva. I was so tickled when Jesse made Melissa stop reading the fairy tales and insisted on 'speaking' with the in-charge character to prevent future mayhem from wolves or giants. When he dressed as 'Gercules', with special wrist bands and the fireplace poker in place of his lost sword...I felt I was right there, totally caught up in the magic. And Helen....I can't wait to hear what she does with her life. What a gal...a gold medal runner, scientist, possibly future adopter of Ethiopian orphans, compassionate, lovable sister to Lily and the only child who has absolutely no birth family living. Yes, Helen, you will be together again in heaven. Hats off to this remarkable couple and their remarkable children for the generous thinking and action that make these miracles possible. Keep up the great athleticism and scholarly pursuits, you 'kids'!
Topics such as AIDS/HIV and orphans are so heart-wrenching, but this book is so encouraging and hopeful. For those who have adopted or are considering option, I highly recommend this book. Melissa finds the fun and humor in raising children wether biological or adopted. She shows how through even the toughest situations, family is such a great remedy. I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your life with us.
I shared this book out loud with our family!
As a history buff, I have read all of Melissa Fay Greene's books. She is a fantastic writer - one who has kept me on the edge of my seat with her way of twists and turns and surprises. No Biking in the House without a Helmet was a different kind of book - a personal book - but not any less thrilling! Over the years, our families' lives have crossed paths here in Atlanta. We met at a local bookstore buying books for our older children. Our younger children have played on sports teams together. And, one of our sons spent a weekend with the Samuel family at a camp when they celebrated a Bar/Bat Mitzvah for four of their children. Immediately, our son was handed a ball and felt like part of their family. Our household has been as busy as the Samuel household over the years. And, we could totally relate to waking up on Sunday mornings with various extra children asleep all around our home. One morning, my husband, who had returned late the night before from a business trip, walked into the kitchen only to be greeted by a child he did not know. The boy offered to show my husband where the cereal bowls were!
After our first child was born, a nurse reminded me that children don't come with a manual, but if they did, No Biking in the House without a Helmet would be an excellent one. Melissa and Don value each child as an individual. They see their strengths and weaknesses and love them wholeheartedly. What a perfect way to be a parent!
After our first child was born, a nurse reminded me that children don't come with a manual, but if they did, No Biking in the House without a Helmet would be an excellent one. Melissa and Don value each child as an individual. They see their strengths and weaknesses and love them wholeheartedly. What a perfect way to be a parent!
This book was just excellent, to the point where I can't say enough good things about it. If you're interested in the world of adoption in anyway, it is a must-read. Funny, heart felt, warm, and engaging: all the things a great book should be! Also currently reading Finding Aster by Dina McQueen, another great book on the subject... for those of you who are interested.
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The book is delightful and enchanting in every possible way. I've always loved Melissa Fay Greene's writing. Her prose invites you in, makes you feel like the people she's writing about are your friends and neighbors. I remember feeling that way about Praying for Sheetrock, too. With "No Biking," I felt like I was in on the jokes, laughing and crying alongside her. I don't want to over or understate how funny this book is, because I certainly laughed a lot. My husband began to get seriously annoyed when I kept wanting to read funny parts aloud to him because he wants to read it himself. "Really, really, this part won't ruin the book for you!" stopped working after the half dozen times I invoked it. But while it is entertaining, and funny, and her ability to find humor where some of us might have missed it is a gift -- the book is so much more.
While I have two children, and not 9, I read the book as a mother and learned more about myself and what I aspire to be as a mother. With all the recent hoopla about the Tiger Mother in my mind while I read it, I thought "I want to be a Melissa Mother"--generous, honest, present, loving, pointing my children in the right direction and letting them be both their individual selves and an integral part of the family unit. I also read the book as a wife and was inspired by both the tenderness and the candor of the writer and her husband's relationship.
A few years back, I went to a lecture by a child psychologist about what makes a child a resilient child. There were a few, surprisingly simple, things that resilient children had in common. One was that they eat at least one meal a week with their whole family. The Greene-Samuel family has plenty of those--especially as she points out in the book, that no one has invited them over for dinner as a family since 1998! Another was that the children had heard the stories of their family's history and particularly it's ups and downs. With a gifted storyteller for a mother, and with her commitment to maintain her children's connections with their personal histories, their families, their Ethiopian and Romani and their Jewish communities--these will likely be some of the most successful and resilient children ever. Whether it's as writers, musicians or star athletes--I have a feeling we will hear more about these kids in the future.