The Official Website of Author Jan Crossen

About the Author

Jan Crossen, B.S., M.S.A.

 Jan's interest in the welfare of children began years ago when she was a high school teacher and coach in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA.  Jan was a mentor for many of her student athletes, and maintains contact with several of them even today.

For years, Jan has sponsored children living in developing countries around the world.  Recently, she was asked to serve as a court appointed surrogate parent for two young siblings living in foster care in Arizona.  

At the conclusion of a court hearing, The Honorable Judge said to Jan, "On behalf of the State of Arizona and Pima County, I want to thank you, Ms. Crossen, for your commitment to the welfare of these two children.  I wish that all of our surrogate parents and Court Appointed Child Advocates were as dedicated and involved with the children as you have been."

Jan has always dreamed of creating her family through adoption.  Her vision became a reality in 1999 when she adopted her son, Joshua.  The books in the 9 Lives trilogy were inspired by their lives together.

 

Teresa Kellerman

Teresa Kellerman

Director FAS Community Resource Center, Tucson, AZ

"I sat down and read this book in one day. I really didn't want to put it down. I was so absorbed in the experiences in the life of this little boy. He went through so much during his childhood, domestic violence, being bounced around the foster care system, and of course, the difficulties as a result of the prenatal alcohol exposure. The seriousness of these issues is handled with sensitivity and care. Crossen shows no judgment toward the birth parents, and fosters understanding and compassion of the plight. The boy, who is the center of the story, is deeply loved, and the reader will enjoy the positive feelings that burst forth throughout the book, especially at the end. Unlike other books about children who have survived prenatal alcohol exposure and life in the foster care system, this book leaves the reader with the satisfaction of a happy ending and many happy moments throughout. This touching story has therapeutic effect in that it has the potential to heal the emotional wounds carried by adopted children, birth parents and adoptive parents. I would recommend this book for all children whether they are adopted or not. I would recommend this book for all parents, especially those adoptive parents who still grieve the loss of the dream they had when first adopting a child with hidden disabilities like Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Crossen has processed her grief, and finds great joy in parenting this boy. She is, through her writing, a healthy role model for other adoptive parents, offering them insights and hope that may lie dormant under their own unresolved grief. This book was a joy to read. I will put a copy in the hands of every family that comes through our doors."