When I Found you by Catherine Ryan Hyde

The book tells the story of Nathan, a married, childless, middle age bookkeeper who finds a baby in the woods when he is out hunting. He would like to raise the child but the baby's grandmother steps in. Fifteen years later, when she finds the boy (Nat) too difficult to handle, she asks Nathan if he's changed his mind. Nathan takes Nat in and commits to raising him come what may.

I enjoyed the book but Nat wants to be a boxer and the boxing storyline reminded me of many a dull boxing movie. I was also bothered by the book's suggestion that middle age couples who dedicate themselves to helping troubled teens may just be trying to find some excitement, or create meaning, in their otherwise boring lives. When asked why he goes to extraordinary lengths for Nat, Nathan says something along the lines of "what else have I done that's extraordinary?"

I doubt the story would inspire anyone to take in a stranger's child; that doesn't seem to be the aim.  It has a more general message about helping people not because you have to, but because you can.