Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family
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- Create Date：2021-06-01 23:31:32
- Update Date：2025-09-07
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- Author：Mitch Albom
- ISBN：0062952404
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Summary
"Mitch Albom has done it again with this moving memoir of love and loss。 You can’t help but fall for Chika。 A page-turner that will no doubt become a classic。” --Mary Karr， author of The Liars’ Club and The Art of Memoir
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays With Morrie comes Mitch Albom’s most personal story to date: an intimate and heartwarming memoir about what it means to be a family and the young Haitian orphan whose short life would forever change his heart。
Chika Jeune was born three days before the devastating earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010。 She spent her infancy in a landscape of extreme poverty， and when her mother died giving birth to a baby brother， Chika was brought to The Have Faith Haiti Orphanage that Albom operates in Port Au Prince。
With no children of their own， the forty-plus children who live， play， and go to school at the orphanage have become family to Mitch and his wife， Janine。 Chika’s arrival makes a quick impression。 Brave and self-assured， even as a three-year-old， she delights the other kids and teachers。 But at age five， Chika is suddenly diagnosed with something a doctor there says， “No one in Haiti can help you with。”
Mitch and Janine bring Chika to Detroit， hopeful that American medical care can soon return her to her homeland。 Instead， Chika becomes a permanent part of their household， and their lives， as they embark on a two-year， around-the-world journey to find a cure。 As Chika’s boundless optimism and humor teach Mitch the joys of caring for a child， he learns that a relationship built on love， no matter what blows it takes， can never be lost。
Told in hindsight， and through illuminating conversations with Chika herself， this is Albom at his most poignant and vulnerable。 Finding Chika is a celebration of a girl， her adoptive guardians， and the incredible bond they formed—a devastatingly beautiful portrait of what it means to be a family， regardless of how it is made。
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays With Morrie comes Mitch Albom’s most personal story to date: an intimate and heartwarming memoir about what it means to be a family and the young Haitian orphan whose short life would forever change his heart。
Chika Jeune was born three days before the devastating earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010。 She spent her infancy in a landscape of extreme poverty， and when her mother died giving birth to a baby brother， Chika was brought to The Have Faith Haiti Orphanage that Albom operates in Port Au Prince。
With no children of their own， the forty-plus children who live， play， and go to school at the orphanage have become family to Mitch and his wife， Janine。 Chika’s arrival makes a quick impression。 Brave and self-assured， even as a three-year-old， she delights the other kids and teachers。 But at age five， Chika is suddenly diagnosed with something a doctor there says， “No one in Haiti can help you with。”
Mitch and Janine bring Chika to Detroit， hopeful that American medical care can soon return her to her homeland。 Instead， Chika becomes a permanent part of their household， and their lives， as they embark on a two-year， around-the-world journey to find a cure。 As Chika’s boundless optimism and humor teach Mitch the joys of caring for a child， he learns that a relationship built on love， no matter what blows it takes， can never be lost。
Told in hindsight， and through illuminating conversations with Chika herself， this is Albom at his most poignant and vulnerable。 Finding Chika is a celebration of a girl， her adoptive guardians， and the incredible bond they formed—a devastatingly beautiful portrait of what it means to be a family， regardless of how it is made。
Reviews
Dolores Sanchez
，
I wondered as I read this book why I did not cry。 I think it is because I was reading a story of a strong family and how their dying foster child brought so much love and happiness to them。 This book is not always easy to read， but is well worth it。
Kathryn
，
this book is so underrated and should be talked about more， everyone should read！ such a sad but heartwarming story， I loved this book and the author did an amazing job at writing it
Jennifer E。 Crawford
，
After having been given a “glorious” daughter until January 14， 1987 when Rebekah was 7 1/2 years old， I am very grateful for the time I had with her and for the many lessons about life， love， grace， and mercy， as well as about the systems of this world that I learned as a result of the blessing of her life。 I appreciate Mr。 Albom’s willingness to put into words his thoughts and emotions， along with the events surrounding Chika and the joyful life she lived in the midst of her difficulties。 She After having been given a “glorious” daughter until January 14， 1987 when Rebekah was 7 1/2 years old， I am very grateful for the time I had with her and for the many lessons about life， love， grace， and mercy， as well as about the systems of this world that I learned as a result of the blessing of her life。 I appreciate Mr。 Albom’s willingness to put into words his thoughts and emotions， along with the events surrounding Chika and the joyful life she lived in the midst of her difficulties。 She was and still is a living testimony to the songs “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and “No Longer a Slave”-she’s just singing them in a different place！ I look forward to meeting her when I am reunited with Rebekah and we will praise the Lord Jesus Christ for His goodness together forever！ 。。。more
Book2Dragon
，
Many reviews have already been written about this book。 Heartbreaking， sad， inspiring （maybe）。 As a retired nurse， I could especially relate to the subject。 I thought often of Delilah （the radio host on iHeart radio） and the child she brought home from Africa who died of Sickle Cell Disease。 I also thought of being called to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center to hold pressure on an artery of a dying child。 His parents tore up the place in their grief and rage。 The father looked at me and said "They n Many reviews have already been written about this book。 Heartbreaking， sad， inspiring （maybe）。 As a retired nurse， I could especially relate to the subject。 I thought often of Delilah （the radio host on iHeart radio） and the child she brought home from Africa who died of Sickle Cell Disease。 I also thought of being called to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center to hold pressure on an artery of a dying child。 His parents tore up the place in their grief and rage。 The father looked at me and said "They never told me he would go through this。"Albom is an honest and skilled writer。 I would recommend this book， but be aware your heart will be torn up by it。 。。。more
Dhifa ☾
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Hal paling berharga yang bisa kita berikan kepada seseorang adalah waktu， Chika， sebab kita tidak pernah bisa mengambilnya kembali。 Ketika kita bahkan tidak berpikir untuk mendapatkannya kembali， berarti kita memberikannya dengan cinta。 （Hlm 78）I am trying so hard not to ugly cry reading this book， but yeah gabisaaa 😭 Banyak bgt pelajaran hidup yg bisa diambil dari perjalanan hidup seorang Chika！ Sampai-sampai aku pingin ketemu Chika karena kepribadiannya yg dijelasin Mister Mitch， menyenangkan， Hal paling berharga yang bisa kita berikan kepada seseorang adalah waktu， Chika， sebab kita tidak pernah bisa mengambilnya kembali。 Ketika kita bahkan tidak berpikir untuk mendapatkannya kembali， berarti kita memberikannya dengan cinta。 （Hlm 78）I am trying so hard not to ugly cry reading this book， but yeah gabisaaa 😭 Banyak bgt pelajaran hidup yg bisa diambil dari perjalanan hidup seorang Chika！ Sampai-sampai aku pingin ketemu Chika karena kepribadiannya yg dijelasin Mister Mitch， menyenangkan， ramah， berani， supel， dan banyak bgt yg suka sama Chika！ Merinding bgtt selama membaca， di akhir hidupnya banyaak bgt yg peduli sama dia。 Asli sedih bgt saat baca detik-detik terakhir hidup Chika。 Chika kamu anak baik， semoga tenang di sana ya！ ♡Terima kasih Mister Mitch karena telah menulis buku ini。 Makasih juga Chika， karena kamu memberi banyak pelajaran mengenai apa arti keluarga。 Betapa aku semakin mencintai keluargaku setelah baca buku ini。 Ah， asli aku brebes mili :'） 。。。more
T
，
This was a memoir that tears at the heart。
Elizabeth Quiñones
，
Beautiful， heartfelt。 Demonstrates how the love of a child is powerful and surpasses the biology of parenthood。 A moment frozen in time， a lovely tribute to his daughter。
Genie
，
Mitch Albom weaves such a wonderful love-filled story about Chika。 It is obvious Chika was full of personality and touched the heart of anyone she met。
Tammy
，
I recommend listening to audio book as you get to hear clips of Chika speaking and is read by Mitch。 I would give this 5 stars for the writing but was just too sad to say was one of my favorites。 All profits from this book go to the Haiti orphanage Mitch and his wife founded and where they were blessed with Chika。
Lupita
，
I started back reading during the pandemic and this book was my second one I finished。 I loved every sentimental memory that Mitch shared about Chika。 I cried almost every time I sat down to read。 The last pages had me in deep tears but they were beautifully written words。 As a person who has gone through a loss recently （not a child but dear adult friend， but still can deeply relate to a loss）， I loved reading those last pages; They brought me back to something even though sad also beautiful la I started back reading during the pandemic and this book was my second one I finished。 I loved every sentimental memory that Mitch shared about Chika。 I cried almost every time I sat down to read。 The last pages had me in deep tears but they were beautifully written words。 As a person who has gone through a loss recently （not a child but dear adult friend， but still can deeply relate to a loss）， I loved reading those last pages; They brought me back to something even though sad also beautiful last days to someone’s life。 。。。more
Celia Rheault
，
Highly recommend the audiobook， but get ready to shed some tears 💔 such a beautiful story。
Kendall Da Ponte
，
I loved seeing his insights into being a father and becoming a family。 The book was inspiring and touching and reminded me to be grateful for everything I have。
Jennifer Streger
，
I had a hard to getting into this book but had to finish the second half in one go， weeping as I did so。
Pamela Wooden
，
A "Father's" JourneyA beautiful book。 A family was built and lives in hearts willing to love。 Mitch Album always touches a spot in my heart 。 A "Father's" JourneyA beautiful book。 A family was built and lives in hearts willing to love。 Mitch Album always touches a spot in my heart 。 。。。more
Chew Ying
，
The book was averaged pace throughout with the ending pretty obvious right from the start。 However， the author managed to keep my interest throughout by keeping me curious about the life of a girl and the couple in America and what caused them to make certain decisions。 Overall， interesting book with lots of lessons
Tammy C
，
Such a sweet story。 Made me cry at the end。 I recommend listening to the audiobook to hear Chika's voice。 Such a sweet story。 Made me cry at the end。 I recommend listening to the audiobook to hear Chika's voice。 。。。more
Morgan Marie
，
Thank you @harperperennial for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review！ 📚 💕 “The most precious thing you can give someone is your time， Chika， because you can never get it back。 When you don’t think about getting it back， you’ve given it in love。”Wow。。。 this story completely broke my heart into pieces， but also gave me hope and new perspectives。 Mitch Albom tells the story about bringing a young girl， Chika， to the US from an orphanage he operates in Haiti after she is diagnosed with a Thank you @harperperennial for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review！ 📚 💕 “The most precious thing you can give someone is your time， Chika， because you can never get it back。 When you don’t think about getting it back， you’ve given it in love。”Wow。。。 this story completely broke my heart into pieces， but also gave me hope and new perspectives。 Mitch Albom tells the story about bringing a young girl， Chika， to the US from an orphanage he operates in Haiti after she is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor （diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma， or DIPG。）Everything about this book is so intentional and well-written。 There are seven chapters for the seven years Chika lived。 There are sections within the chapters about Chika and Mitch’s relationship， Mitch’s feelings， the seven lessons Chika taught Mitch， and heartwarming & heartbreaking memories from Chika’s life。I adored the way Mitch described Chika as a vibrant， loud， funny， care-free young girl。 Chika lived such a hard life。 She survived the 2010 devastating earthquake in Haiti， her mother died， her father left her， and she grew up in an orphanage。。。 all before being diagnosed with DIPG。 His memories of Chika really show how innocent， honest， and resilient children are。 Mitch is a phenomenal story teller。 I have read many of his books， and through each one of them I have felt such strong emotions and connections to the stories。 I highly highly recommend this short， yet powerful read。Synopsis:Chika Jeune is diagnosed with a life threatening illness when she is just five years old。 At the time， she is living in The Have Faith Haiti Orphanage， which is operated by Mitch Albom。 Mitch and his wife， Janine， bring Chika to the United States for treatment。 As Chika is getting treatment， she teaches the Alboms many lessons about family， love， faith， and life。 Mitch shares these lessons with readers throughout these raw and beautiful pages。 。。。more
Nancy
，
This book was so good， will definitely tug at your heart strings。。。。
Wai-kit Ng
，
It is never easy to lose a child， even if it is not yours。 Nevertheless， in all journeys， there is something beautiful to be learned。
Tom Marsh
，
A really good story of love and kindness， but also great heartache。 A deeply personal story to the author and very genuine。 Mitch does such amazing work beyond his profession to help children， we are grateful to have him in this world。
Fairport Public Library
，
March 2020， Hema， Non Fiction
Provin Martin
，
Oh Chika -you have my heart！ Through sniffles （and full on bawling） I made the commitment to find out who Chika was and what her journey entailed。 Mitch Albom exquisitely tells his story of finding Chika in Haiti at the orphanage he （and purchasers of this book） supports。 From finding out she was sick， bringing her to America to seek treatment and memorializing her last days， this book will break your heart and put it back together again。 Albom highlights the lessons he learned for his adopted d Oh Chika -you have my heart！ Through sniffles （and full on bawling） I made the commitment to find out who Chika was and what her journey entailed。 Mitch Albom exquisitely tells his story of finding Chika in Haiti at the orphanage he （and purchasers of this book） supports。 From finding out she was sick， bringing her to America to seek treatment and memorializing her last days， this book will break your heart and put it back together again。 Albom highlights the lessons he learned for his adopted daughter。 Much like his previous books， these are lessons everyone can benefit from。 I highly recommend the audiobook， read by Mitch himself and intertwined with Chika’s young loving and defiant voice。 Hearing her sing lullaby’s and religious songs really brings Chika back to life for the reader。 If you love Alboms other books， you’ll love Finding Chika the most 🥰 。。。more
Avicenna Juan
，
Chika diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor， that's hit me so hard and so hurting。 Obviously， she's only 3。 Mitch's style of writting always makes me amazed， mitch n his wife tryin' their best to prolong chika's life。 In addition to mitch's viewpoint， u can see how the author narrates the story by imagining what chika was thinking or how viewpoint of chika n how her feeling that's tryin' to express。From the beginning， mitch makes the story clearly。 He said at the beginning that chika didn't s Chika diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor， that's hit me so hard and so hurting。 Obviously， she's only 3。 Mitch's style of writting always makes me amazed， mitch n his wife tryin' their best to prolong chika's life。 In addition to mitch's viewpoint， u can see how the author narrates the story by imagining what chika was thinking or how viewpoint of chika n how her feeling that's tryin' to express。From the beginning， mitch makes the story clearly。 He said at the beginning that chika didn't survive about her condition， too hurt for me to clear the book bcs the story was so heartbreaking for me :（。 But I love the way mitch tellin' that the story is heartwarming for us， mitch tell us the joyful becoming a father n ofc he tell us about the pain he felt when chika died。 I think it's the truly love: family without hindered by the differences。but I don't recommend this book for parents who have children with similar conditions， because it's a very heartbreaking memoir。 n I have a little secret that I love one of the part of this book， mitch makes me surprised。 。。。more
Jinky
，
If there is a contest seeking for a book perfect for audio， this one would be in the running。 The author narrated this audiobook and you can hear the humanity in his telling。 A bonus was a few inserts of what sounds like clips from home videos， hence you hear Chika's real voice。 Raw and poignant。 A definite tug at the heartstrings。 If there is a contest seeking for a book perfect for audio， this one would be in the running。 The author narrated this audiobook and you can hear the humanity in his telling。 A bonus was a few inserts of what sounds like clips from home videos， hence you hear Chika's real voice。 Raw and poignant。 A definite tug at the heartstrings。 。。。more
Chetna Bhamri
，
One of those that leave you with a broad smile yet tears squirting their way out of the corner of your eyes， making the whole world go glossy and out of focus briefly。Heartfelt story 🎀
Saljo
，
Since I have been to Haiti multiple times， this book was extra cool for me。 Some of the places he mentioned were familiar to me。 I liked reading his perspective of parenting。 And my heart broke at what Chika had to go through。 A beautiful， fast read。
Pam Herrmann
，
Mitch becomes involved with an orphanage in Haiti and ends up becoming a father to an adorable little girl who is diagnosed with a brain tumor。 She teaches him many lessons in life and love and loss。
Janet Moore
，
Loved Tuesdays with Morrie （way back when I read that。。。） and was excited to see a new book by this great author。 I honestly didn’t know the premise of this one prior to starting it。 A beautiful， heart wrenching， well written story honoring a young girl’s life。 The proximity to home， as most of the book took place in Ann Arbor was neat too。
Danielle
，
This one broke me。 It’s beautiful。
Bella Juozapaitis
，