Lemont Author Publishes Second Children's Book

LEMONT, IL — Lemont author Becky Cortesi-Caruso's second children's book may have just been published last month, but plans for "Beautifully Biracial: A Young Adoptee's Journey to Love Herself," have been in the works since 2018.

Cortesi-Caruso's first book, "Chasing Charleigh: An Adoption Story Filled With Hope And Love," was released in 2019, and features her daughter, Charleigh, and questions she has about looking different from her adoptive family.

In her second book, Charleigh is back, and the book talks about tolerance and awareness, as well as the family's experience raising Charleigh in a mostly white community.

Cortesi-Caruso said she sees the second book as a "natural progression" from her first.

"I purposely had her questioning in the first book, to set up for 'Beautifully Biracial," she said, adding that her first book and this one were written around the same time.

"I wanted to tell a really authentic, really honest story," Cortesi-Caruso said, noting that she also wanted to put a positive spin on the book's message, describing how Charleigh and her family rise above and move past harsh words about race.

The book, published by Marcinson Press, was released Oct. 11 and can be ordered from Amazon. The book was illustrated by Delaney Lovecchio.

Cortesi-Caruso said a book launch, held at Three Stories Books in Lemont, for "Beautifully Biracial: A Young Adoptee's Journey to Love Herself," is in the works.

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