Author Anne Bauer-The Sound of Hope-Adoption-Book Club Guide

June 2nd, 2005

Alexandria & Roberto

Book Club Discussion Guide

The Sound of Hope
A True Story of an Adoptee's Quest for Her Origins

a memoir by Anne Bauer

Discussion Questions

What was is about the von Trapp family in “The Sound of Music” that made
Anne feel a special connection to them?
Each of the four parts to the memoir is introduced by a proverb. Discuss
how each proverb relates to the upcoming storyline.
Given Anne’s “special status” as an adoptee, how would you explain the
same situation to your own adopted child?
Anne is taunted by her childhood friend and is told, “Your real mother didn’
t want you. That’s why she gave you away.” Have you ever experienced
or heard similar things said to an adopted child? What do you think the
psychological impact of such comments has on the adopted individual as a
child and later as an adult?
In the course of the memoir, Anne’s relationship with her adoptive mother
changes. What do you think was the major turning point in their
relationship?
When Anne’s Grandmother warns her about searching for her birth mother,
she says, “Ahh, it’s a good boat that tries to find the harbor it left, but be
careful, don’t go looking for someone who might not want to be found.”
What do you think was the meaning behind her Grandmother’s comment?
Does her warning have any impact on Anne’s search?
Do you feel that Anne’s parents were justified in their resentment toward
Jo?
Why do you think Anne’s two adopted brothers had no interest in searching
for their own birthmothers? Do you think their problems later in life had
anything to do with their adoption status?
Throughout the memoir, Anne never wavers in her determination to locate
her birth mother. Where do you think her perseverance came from?
What place do you feel a birthparent has in the life of the child that they
placed for adoption?
Anne comments in her Afterword about adult adoptees being denied access
to their own original birth certificates. Do you feel this is a civil rights
issue? What would you do if you were denied access to your own
information?

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ISBN:
978-0-5955-2030-5
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ISBN:
978-0-5955-0936-2
(hardcover)