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Baran-Unland: Tell us a bit about your writing background and the inspiration for this book. Cortesi-Caruso: The inspiration for my book was my adopted daughter, Charleigh. She has been going through some challenges in her short lifetime so I decided to write a story to empower her to love herself. I have always loved to write, but this is my first published book. I hold two master's degrees and have been employed in public education for twenty-one years as a Director of Special Education. Baran-Unland: What types of stories do you like to write? Cortesi-Caruso: I enjoy writing inspirational stories that mirror real life issues. I enjoy writing about the world of adoption and the beauty that exists for families! In addition, I write about the importance of recognizing diversity and the power that people's words can have on an innocent person. It is my belief that authentic writing can make a difference in the lives of people.
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Baran-Unland" Give a one-line summary about your featured short story. Cortesi-Caruso: "Chasing Charleigh" is a beautiful story about a little girl who explores the world of adoption while searching for a deeper meaning of who she is and how she fits into her family. Baran-Unland: Are you working on another book right bow? Tell us a little about it, if you are. Cortesi-Caruso: I have already completed a second book that will begin to be worked on after the release of Chasing Charleigh. This book has a powerful message about the importance of cultural diversity and sensitivity and the impact it has on a little girl who does not understand why society does not accept her for who she is.
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About the author Becky Cortesi-Caruso of Lemont has dedicated twenty-one years to being employed in public education. A former school social worker, she is currently director of student services at Keeneyville District 20. Cortesi-Caruso Becky earned a master's degree in school social work from the University of Illinois in Urbana and another master's degree in school administration and leadership from Benedictine University in Lisle. She has devoted much of her career to assisting families in understanding the importance of special education law. She continues to be passionate about working with families and their children. Cortesi-Caruso is married to her Michael and is the mother of three children. "Chasing Charleigh: An Adoption Story Filled with Hope and Love" is available on Amazon.
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About the book According to its Amazon description, "Chasing Charleigh" is a book that "helps young adoptees understand adoption, and gently tells a story that includes birth families in a positive, loving family. "Told through the eyes of an inquisitive little girl, Charleigh, who asks her adoptive mother about many issues surrounding adoption, including the differences between closed and open adoption, biological and adoptive siblings, interracial adoption and looking "different" from her adoptive family. "The book is sensitively written, with beautiful illustrations, and is designed to guide parents and young adoptees into having comfortable discussions about questions or issues children may have regarding their own family circumstances."
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KNOW MORE Each week LocalLit will deliver an original short and family-friendly story, or a book review, by a local author to the newsletter's subscribers. Authors with a connection to our readership area may submit. Submission does not guarantee acceptance. Stories should be edited and between 1,000 words and 7,500 words. To submit, contact Denise M. Baran-Unland at 815-280-4122 or dunland@shawmedia.com. To read excerpts from "Chasing Charlie" along with author commentary, sign up for the free LocalLit newsletter at theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/#//. Newsletters are emailed to subscribers on Tuesday. Past LocalLit authors include Ken McGee of Plainfield, Norm Cowie of Chicago, Tom Hernandez of Plainfield, Vanessa Stephens of Joliet, Anne Anderson of Sandwich, Joshua Henderson of Joliet, Peggy Lindstrom of Shorewood, Carolyn Hill of New Lenox, Sharon Houk of Joliet, James Guseman of Oswego, Allison Rios of Joliet, Colleen Robbins of Joliet, Diane Maciejewsk of Elgin, Denise Issert of Wilmington, Bill McCormick of Chicago, J. Terence (the pen name of Joe Wengler) of Plainfield, Larry Zoeller of Downers Grove, Robert Hafey of Joliet, Ramesh Shah of St. Charles, Dawn Plestina of New Lenox, Wendy Bialek of St. Charles, Vern Coop of Joliet, Alyssa Gomez of Joliet, Kathy Whitgrove of Joliet and Cean Magosky of Lockport.