The Family Nobody Wanted

I happened upon a YouTube video recently, of this couple on Groucho Marx's You Bet Your Life and I was intrigued by the woman, Helen Doss, the author of this book. She and her husband were on Marx's show and when they were asked how old their children were, she hesitated a moment, b/c she had 12 children, all adopted and many were the same ages. She and her husband Carl were mavericks in their day, adopting mixed race children during the postwar 40's and 50's, when most orphanages wouldn't allow it.
I looked her up then, and saw she'd written a book about their experience adopting.

This was a fascinating read, not just b/c of her unique experience of adopting so many kids, but b/c of her down home style of writing. Doss shares little show more anecdotes of the children's conversations, along with comments made by neighbors and her and her husband's own insights and fears, and the result is a fast, easy interesting read. show less

I can't even tell you how many times I read this book when I was young. Something about it absolutely fascinated me---a young couple adopts many, many children of many nationalities. I think the little details the author included are what stayed with me most over the years---how once they were very hungry and had to eat a can of rattlesnake meat, how they were given a Christmas present of blocks with water and things floating in the water inside (I wanted one of those!), how someone assumed their Hispanic daughter would like chili powder on everything---so many details I can still recall vividly!

Such a terrific book!!! Was very surpised to read about how this family adopted so many children from other ethnic backgrounds, especially in that time in history. Am very curious to hear what happened to them all and how they turned out!

I loved this book as a child. I read it multiple times. I especially remember the section about the Japanese children that they fostered during WWII.

I didn't know when I read this book in college that I would someday be an adoptive mother, but when the time came, I had the Dosses' happy story for comfort and encouragement.