As the mayhem and chaos of 17 young kids at a party spun around us, I caught a glimpse of something special. Monroe. 
With his nose buried in a book despite the noise and madness. I sneaked over and sat next to him. He looked at me shyly at first, so I motioned for him to keep reading. He did. To me. His passion for reading was more than apparent as I listened to his sweet, quiet voice reading this language that is foreign to me. I could sense his expression as he read¦he made it clear that this was a tale of drama and intrigue. I was hooked. I was able to tune out the cacophony right along with Monroe, and meet him in his happy place. A boy who loves to read¦a boy after my own heart.
After he was done, Monroe gave me a shy smile, got up, and joined the fun.
Monroe is available for adoption through Madison Adoption Associates. He recently participated in an advocacy camp where his advocate described him as ‘sweet, soft-spoken, go-with-the-flow, with a winning smile.’ There is a $5,000 Bright Futures grant available for the family who adopts Monroe. Email sarah@madisonadoption.org for more information on this sweet soul.