A Foster Sister's Enduring Bond: Naming a Novel's Hero After Her Foster Brother
This narrative explores the profound and lasting impact of a foster brother on an author's life, culminating in a deeply personal tribute through her writing. The author, whose family fostered numerous children over the years, found a unique way to honor one of her earliest foster siblings, Nathaniel. Despite his relatively short two-year stay in her childhood home, Nathaniel's spirit and resilience left an indelible mark. Decades later, as she penned her first middle-grade novel, the author chose to name its central character after him, a gesture meant to solidify his permanent place within her family's narrative and express the enduring love and connection they shared.
The author's family embarked on their fostering journey when she was ten, eventually adopting five other foster siblings. However, Nathaniel, along with his two sisters, represented their very first placement, expanding their household from five to eight. Nathaniel lived with them from ages seven to nine. The author fondly recalls everyday moments that cemented their sibling bond: singing Backstreet Boys songs in their old minivan, trading baseball cards, and attending his soccer games. She describes Nathaniel as a bright, adaptable child who excelled in school despite his challenging background. A particularly vivid memory highlights his ingenuity and spirited nature: at eight years old, he and a friend collected American flags from one side of the street post-9/11 and resold them to residents on the other side, a mischievous yet clever venture that, despite leading to the boys donating their earnings, underscored his scrappy and resourceful personality.
Even after Nathaniel left their home for another foster placement and later moved to Watts, Los Angeles, with his aunt, the author's family maintained close ties. They regularly visited him and his sisters, making six-hour drives to see them. During his teenage years, Nathaniel and a friend confided in the author's father about their struggles to avoid gang involvement in their neighborhood. Despite these challenges, Nathaniel persevered, eventually finding a mentor who guided him through college applications. His journey culminated in a successful college graduation, a testament to his enduring strength and determination.
Years later, when the author began writing her middle-grade novel, she instinctively chose Nathaniel's name for her protagonist. Although the character and plot are fictional, she deliberately set the story around a fourth-grade boy, mirroring Nathaniel's age when he departed her childhood home. Her book, "Nathaniel and the Worst Project in the History of the Fourth Grade," was published this summer. Recently, the author and her family traveled to California to attend Nathaniel's baby shower, where he was expecting his first child. She brought a copy of her book, signing it to him and his future daughter, adding a personal dedication to the one already printed inside.
This act of naming a character after him was a deeply personal affirmation for the author, a way to convey to Nathaniel that he was irrevocably part of her family, irrespective of court decisions regarding his foster care. The genuine nature of their bond was reaffirmed the day after the baby shower when Nathaniel called to express his gratitude. He shared how impressed everyone at the event was that his sister was a published author who had dedicated her book to him. For the author, the most meaningful part of the conversation was simply hearing him refer to her as his sister, reinforcing the lasting and unbreakable familial connection they continue to share.