Introduction
Author Jenny Mattern writes a touching middle grade novel about adoption and the value of family. In her author’s note at the end of Where the Light Shines In, Mattern explains the title of her debut novel. “I wrote this story to help [adoptees] feel seen, and to hopefully start conversations within adoptive families. After all, healing takes place where the light shines in.” (p. 216). The tale grabbed my attention, pulled at my heartstrings, and was hard to stop reading! The author’s portrayal of an adoptee’s quest to find her birth family will spark some good dinner table conversations.
13-year-old Gloria Gibson knows that she is the adopted treasure of her parents thanks to a sweet bedtime ritual from childhood. Her parents would tuck her in and say things like, “The minute I held you in my arms, I knew you were meant to be mine and our little glorious Gloria.” (p 11). Despite being the recipient of such love and care over the years, a tiny seed implants in Gloria’s heart to meet her birth mom and uncover her biological roots. She comments, “If there’s one thing my thirteen years of life have taught me, it’s that having parents who love you doesn’t erase the somebody who brought you into the world.” (p. 11).
Gloria’s wish begins to come true when she uncovers a newspaper’s obituary with a picture of a lady who looks like her. She determines to go to the funeral to find answers. Attending the funeral is only the tip of the iceberg. She meets a friendly relative and that relationship takes off. They text, meet for coffee, and go to Gloria’s biological mom’s cabin on a tiny island. As answers come to light, they rock Gloria’s world! Does she have the courage to uncover all the secrets and tie a bow on this personal journey?
Gloria’s determination to find her biological family is admirable but her methods are a bit unconventional and questionable. Gloria and her best friend play the Birth Mother game often. This game involves studying the faces of women in a public place. Women who most closely match Gloria’s profile get added to an imaginary gameboard and the two friends enjoy discussing the likelihood of a match. This is harmless fun, but the novel also brings up some instances where Gloria’s determination has a dark side. She lies to her parents about her whereabouts as she follows her biological trail and has her best friend cover for her. She tells her parents that she is studying or at a sleepover with her best friend when she wants to meet the relative and travel to an island a hundred miles away!
Gloria rationalizes her behavior, but her naughty methods catch up with her, and she gets in trouble. Gloria’s parents’ feelings are hurt at her lack of trust in them and tell her that all she had to do was ask for help and they could have worked together. If Gloria had the courage to be vulnerable and spill the whole story, her birth mother quest could have been fun and supported instead of filled with secrets and troublesome pitfalls.The novel concludes with Gloria’s relationships repaired and a surprise tender plot twist.
Preorder
As I’ve said before, preorders help authors gain traction before their book hits the shelves. Mattern’s book doesn’t come out until September, so you have plenty of time to order it for yourself or for an adoptive family you know.
Giveaway
Meanwhile, Jenny will give away a copy of this novel to one fortunate winner. Leave a comment by April 8 and I’ll enter your name. If you are an homeschool educator, librarian, teacher, or plan to give this to an adoptive family (or are one yourself!), I’ll enter your name twice. U.S. addresses only.
Guest Blogger
Kate Lundeen is a frequent book reviewer. She last shared her thoughts about Loon Cove. She writes, “The Lord’s hand of watchful care and protection blessed my life from my start as a tiny premature infant. Doctors diagnosed me with cerebral palsy from birth complications which mainly affected my legs and motor skills. I also have a learning disability that does not allow me to write down or process thoughts as fast as other people. I am a former homeschooler and obtained an Associate in Arts degree from a North Carolina community college after five years of hard work! I discovered and developed a love for writing in college. Now I pen articles for my local church newsletter and write book reviews. I enjoy my current job as a part-time library assistant in a Christian library in Matthews, NC. I have a servant’s heart and a willing attitude to grow in old skills and develop new ones along whatever path the Lord chooses to take me.”
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For more excellent middle-grade books, check out Greg Pattridge’s wonderful blog.
Havelah McLat
This story sounds like one that will help countless adoptees young and old. I was particularly moved by the line from the book that you quoted regarding, and I paraphrase… living with a family that loves you does not erase the one from your birth. Thank you for your wonderful post about this book.
Thank you, Sandra. Your name starts the list!
Having read a draft before this book was published, I am so thrilled for Jenny and can’t wait until this beautiful book makes its way into the world!
How about that, Miriam. How do you and Jenny know each other? YOu’re in the giveaway too!
I started to write a comment and then it disappeared so I’ll try this again! Having read this book before it received an offer, I am thrilled for Jenny and can’t wait to see this beautiful book make its way into the world! While the reviewer felt the main character took questionable action in trying to find her birth mother, this is a story full of nuance that demonstrates how people–especially 13-year-old people—don’t always go about things the right way when they are focused on the end result. In this case, the main character is struggling with her identity, something that may be difficult to understand outside the adoption community. Having an adopted daughter myself, no matter how much love and care an adopted parent gives a child, their biological backstory is part of who they are. In this story, Jenny handles conflicting emotions with grace and I highly recommend the book!
Thank you, Miriam! 💜
Thanks, Miriam. I received both of your comments!
This book sounds wonderful!! Congrats, Jenny! We’ve connected on socials before and I believe we both live in Montana–but it’s been a bit since we interacted. So fun to see your book coming out! It looks great! I look forward to reading it.
Hi Marci!! I have missed seeing my fellow Montanan!
Thanks, Marci. A great Montana connection!
Thank you, Carol & Kate, for this lovely review and for hosting a giveaway!
Thanks for sharing your debut novel with my world!
What a thorough review of what sounds like a thought-provoking read with a complex main character. Adoptees have a unique perspective on family that is not included in enough fic-lit for any age. Glad to see this one, Jenny!
Thanks, Melanie! I’m glad this review is generating so much interest!
Carol, I’m not reading this post yet because I’m reading Jenny’s book and I don’t like reading reviews before I finish a book!!! I didn’t comment yesterday because for some reason, I forgot I could just comment WITHOUT reading. When I’ve finished this gorgeous book, I’ll come back to read your review. I am going to Highlights tomorrow – Thursday so I likely won’t be reading while I’m away but probably next weekend!
Thanks for leaving a comment, Laura, and have a MARVELOUS time at Highlights!!!
I’m sure I will! Thank you!
I’m back to say I’ve finished reading and truly admired Jenny’s writing. I posted my review on Goodreads and Netgalley. I was really impressed with the way Jenny created great tension in the story and all of the characters are three dimensional which was great. I’ve been reading and reviewing a lot in 2026 – 75 books so far! – and these are characters I’ll be thinking about for quite a while.
Thank you for taking the time to leave another comment, Laura. I’m so glad you enjoyed Jenny’s book and left reviews! You are a busy reading and writing lady!
Adoptive kids definitely need more books with adoptive kids as the main character. Thanks for the great review. I’ll pass on the giveaway.
Thanks for commenting, Natalie
This sounds like an important book, as well as a good one, but maybe not for me. Give my giveaway chance to someone who needs it :)
Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca. Not every book is for every reader!
I have a lifelong friend who was adopted and recently met her biological father. I will have to read this story and also share it with her. Happy MMGM!
Thanks, Greg. Your name will go into the hat twice!
This sounds like a lovely read, and I have a couple of friends who foster and have adopted children. So I am so happy to see more stories like this! I also love that the MC has such a warm and loving family.
This sounds like a moving read!
Thank you, Jenni. Your name goes into the hat twice!