When Thomas Brooks was eleven years old, his mother Joan decided it was time to share a secret with him and the secret was he was adopted. At first Thomas was a bit put out but then he came around. Thus began A WEALTH OF FAMILY, the fascinating story of how one African American man searched for his roots and found them in England, Kenya and the United States.

Thomas's light skin color caused him some issues with other African American children when he was growing up but he never guessed he was multiracial. His mother Joan had a wonderful African American family that loved and spoiled him. Imagine his surprise when he decided in 1992, during his college years, to pursue the family who had given him up for adoption. He assured Joan that no matter what he found out, she would still be his mother and with her blessings, he began his search. Naturally, there were frustrations dealing with the adoption agency and adoption laws of the United States but with perseverance he not only found his birth mother but also his father, who was a Kenyan.

Thomas learned that it was possible to have positive relationships with his adoptive family as well as his biological family. He does an excellent job of letting us in on his feelings as he searches. When he finds them, you can actually feel his and his new families' tensions. It is a wonderful story of discovery, racism in all its forms and how to overcome cultural differences and remain a family as well as friends. It is a book I would recommend for every American who has any curiosity about other cultures.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers