Adoption Books

We cannot underestimate the power of such an intentional story of love and belonging for our children. This is a book that we can read to our babies, and continue to read to our children as they grow. This is one of those stories that our children will want to hear over and over. Make sure you buy one for your child, one to save to keep in good shape for "memories" and one as a gift.


You Are Special, You Are Chosen is a gift assuring love by birth mom and "new" mom. It speaks to the of beauty in adoptioon.

This is a wonderful book that every family should own. The authors send a wonderful message to all adopted children that no matter where they come from they are loved and are a special part of the family. JoAnna and Mary also do a fantastic job of including all races as part of their illustrations. This is the first book that I have seen that makes an effort to include the very large and growing group of children that have been adopted internationally. I strongly encourage all families to own this book - it is a true gift and contains an invaluable message that I think all children should hear.

I highly recommend this book for all adoptive families. The illustrations are fantastic and make this heartwarming book the perfect gift for adopted kids of any age. The message is universal: adopted children are truly a gift!

What a wonderful book. I gave my son a copy for Easter, and he is now 18. I've always told him that he was special, now Joanna and Mary have put it in print for me.

This book is a true find for all of the very wonderful adopted children in our lives. Joanna and Mary have created an exceptional children's book that is a inspiring for all of the "child" in us. If your child is reading or about to read-the message is simple and filled with the most charming illustrations of all sizes and shapes of children. The message is captivating.

Anyone who thinks that they want to bring a dog into their home should read this book first. I volunteer for Labrador Retriever Rescue, and constantly am amazed at how many people assume responsibility for a dog without knowing what they're getting into. This book is clearly written and offers excellent advice on all aspects of choosing and raising a dog from a shelter. The advice applies to other "used" dogs as well, whether they're from rescue organizations or your neighbor. Not only can it help you decide if you SHOULD be sharing a home with a dog, it will help you find the right dog and it will save a life. Giving a dog a second chance by adopting from a shelter or a rescue organization is very rewarding. I know--one of my dogs was a stray, one was from a shelter via a neighbor (who shouldn't have had a dog), and two are from Lab Rescue. All have been fabulous creatures!

This would be a great book to give to adopters at shelters. All of the behavior-dealing techniques I've tried have worked very well. It's an honest, yet mostly upbeat look at gaining a new family member! Time and patience are the keys in having a successful shelter adoption.

Among the several books that we got just before and after we recently adopted a rescue dog, this was truly the stand-out. It covers virtually everthing you should consider in finding the right dog, to good advice on basic training.

We highly recommned it (and adopting a rescue dog vs. buying one).

This book saved my life! My owners are nice people, but they probably wouldn't have figured out that they were right for me if they hadn't found this book first. The shelter labeled me as "HYPER" and "aggressive with other dogs" - but thanks to the tips and tests in this book, my owners could tell the difference between a hyper dog and one that simply had been cooped up too long and needed some time to play. We've now been a very happy pack for five years - and I recommend this book to all my human friends!

this book convinced me to adopt a dog and save a lif

This book offered more insight than anything else I have read concerning adoption. I am a birth mother and glad someone put everyone's thoughts into one book

I am a birthmother who just found my 21 year old daughter. I was deperately seeking a book that could help me understand all the emotions that I'm going through, and the chain-reaction of events that has happened as a result of my search. I picked up this book, read it from cover to cover at one sitting..unable to put it down. It contains a wealth of information, incredibly well-organized, well-written, and through the view point of all members of the adoption triad. It is neither preachy, text-book like, or self-serving...rather, an honest, heart-felt account of people, who have lived through the pain, joy, confusion and every other emotion that being touched by adoption brings into your life. i highly recommend it!

Adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents voice their experiences of adoption with honest, direct commentary from the author. A well-balanced book. A must read for those involved in adoption and anyone considering adoption.

Although an adoptive parent for 10 years, I found many new bits of information and sensible comments in this book, compiled by an author and PhD. in family issues who is herself an adoptee.

"When I was growing up in the 1950s," she said at a recent adoption conference, "families did not discuss adoption." Children made fun of adoptees, and the notion of looking for birth parents was completely foreign, and taboo.

Now, of course, the entire adoption scene has changed radically. Families routinely adopt children and stay in touch with the birth families, allowing their children to communicate and visit with birth families as they grow.

For children adopted internationally, of course, the situation is much like it was in the 1950s for Marlou Russell. Particularly for girls from China, the likelihood of ever finding their birth parents is practically nil. So the children grow up with a hole in their hearts, forever wondering about the family they came from, and why they were abandoned.

The wonderful thing about this book is that it contains the perspectives, fears and emotions of all three members of the adoption triad-children who were themselves adopted, adoptive parents and birth parents (mostly mothers, but the occasional birth father as well).

It makes eminent sense, and it is important for all to know, that all three members of each triad have lost something and gained something.

The child has lost their birth family, and the comforts of belonging to a group with whom they share looks, likes and characteristics as well as culture, race and religion. But they have gained a family that can better care for them, ideally one far more stable than the one that was unable to do so. The birth parents have lost the joys of caring for and loving and raising their own, but gained the independence and lack of parental responsibility that their economic and marital circumstances may require. The adoptive parents have (usually, but not always) lost the ability to bear their own biological children, and gained the ability to love and raise another's child as their own.

Each one of these triad members carries lifelong wounds, which although they can heal, never disappear. For anyone in the triad who has never thought of adoption from the point of view of the others, this book is a must. For therapists and child-care workers, it is also essential reading.

For most participants in the adoption process, it is never possible to "close the door" completely to the pain they suffered. They can heal, certainly, but the loss they suffered that required adoption never goes away. It's like suffering a death in the family. The survivors live on, very often fruitfully, but they never forget.

It's my hope that this book will help my adopted child deal with his pain, just as it has helped me cope with mine.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

I am just finishing "Adoption Wisdom". It is probably the best I've read.
It should be required reading for all members of the triad. Since my son
found me last year, I have read about 20 books and this is one of the few
that reaches all of the members. I certainly wish I had read it years ago.
Thanks.

This is just what you expect, a sweet story about a woman with her huge passel of inherited kids. My nieces love the story, and request it often, but every time I get to the part where nobody has to wait for a hug, I start tearing up. And they fall once I find out that *sniff* every kid comes back with their family to visit when they're grown-up.

Oh well. It's the happy kind of tears, anyway.

My family enjoyed the book very much. We live right across the road from where the General Store use to be in St. Clere, Kansas and are familiar with the McGranahan family. My kids are 32, 28 and 17 years old. We knew four of the nine children that Aunt Minnie raised, so this made the books more interesting. We also enjoyed Aunt Minnie and the Twister. Both books made very interesting Christmas presents for kids. Keep the stories coming.
Barbara A. Abitz (address Emmett, Kansas but our hearts say we're from St. Clere, Kansas)

This was an excellent book. A very true warm hearted story that describes where there is a will there is a way. The author has created a story from memories that are worth hearing about. I look forward to many more Aunt Minnie McGranahan memories..You see my maiden name was McGranahan and I to grew up near the town of St.Clere Kansas and I still live close by. I thank you Mary for sharing with readers stories of my family name.

A wonderful, warmhearted, funny story. Only Mary Skillings Prigger could tell this true story of nine children being orphaned as a delightful tale of how their loving, no-nonsense aunt reared them. And surely only aunt Minnie could have done it. We are hoping for more books from Prigger and Lewin!

Aunt Minnie lives by herself. She has her own system of doing things. Suddenly, she must take in her orphaned nieces and nephews. Aunt Minnie is able to tame this brood with her system. A system that is silly and touching at the same time. This book would be a great gift for a favorite aunt.

Tony has written many columns about his now grown child, the "sweet baboo" Elizabeth. The poignant story of how she became a Kornheiser will touch even those who picked up the book hoping to read humor. This is a sad and sweet story, and the happy ending is that the "sweet baboo" brought Tony many years of love, frustration, and very funny columns. Read this book.

Don't get this book expecting to find the same comedy as "Pumping Irony" or "Bald As I Wanna Be". This is a very serious book about the author and his wife's struggle with infertility. That said, it's an interesting a touching read, and I recommend trying to run down a copy.

And then read his other books to hear him complain about his kids (whew, he made it).

I knew it was going to be different from the rest of his writing. He really bares his soul in this book. It doesn't have as much of hte humor as his other books, but it does have touches. Even though i'm only 21 years old, this book taught me a little bit of what its like to want children to the point of considering illegal measures to get them.

I debated for a long while whether I should put up the money that folks were asking for a used copy of The Baby Chase, but my curiosity finally got the best of me and I forked over the money. After reading it through in one night, I am very glad I made the purchase. Mr. Tony opens up a vein as he writes here, and what comes pouring out is nothing short of astounding. I have never before read anything so deeply personal and moving, especially from someone who is known primarily for his humorous side.

Mr. Tony shines a light in some dark corners, from the world of black market adoptions, to the state of his frail and faltering marriage as he and Karrill faced the pain of infertility. I have a hard time imagining that he is withholding any detail of this painful ordeal as he writes, even when those details paint him in a less than positive light.

I came away from this book with a deep respect for Mr. Tony for having the guts to provide such a powerful and at times disturbing look into his private life. Even though my wife thought I had gone off the deep end for spending as much as I did for this book, it was worth every penny. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will move you...

Those people who know Tony Kornheiser only from his columns, radio show & PTI will find this book's contents to be disconcerting in their very serious nature. The story of a 30-something couple struggling with their marriage and childlessness, only to be given the opportunity to adopt a baby for the low low price of $15,000 (early 1980's dollars, no less) is filled with stress, agony, but ultimately concludes with the renewal of love, commitment & hope.

For those of us who have struggled with childlessness (against all odds, my wife & I succeeded in having a daughter last year), this story will hit a raw nerve. The twelve days in the early 1980's where Tony & Karril Kornheiser got their taste of the seamy world of Black Market babies, and how they ultimately made their decision, clearly left Tony with some unresolved emotions that probably made writing this book a form of therapy. It is the only book-length nonfiction he has written. It will disturb you, but it is worth reading.

I have always been an advocate for overseas adoption, but after reading this story I am more inclined to encourage others to see the true story behind what goes on in other countries. It was such a blessing to read this book and I am now sharing it with others.

I laughed and cried throughout the book and couldn't wait to finish it, but then wanted it to keep going on at the end. It is easy reading but full of rich content. I would recommend this to young people as well as adults. It is more than a good story. It shows how one couple faced insurmountable obstacles with faith and perseverance with many twists and turns in the road.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is not just a story of rescuing an unwanted Chinese baby girl, it is a story which describes life in China for an expat family at the very beginning of China's move to modernization and an expression of faith in God while the midst of stuggles and doubts. The book ends with a tiny glimpse from the heart of the rescued young lady, 17 years later, which resounds as a song of triumph. I rarely cry about anything but this book brought me to tears twice.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - a real page-turner. It is a beautiful story of the rescue of a baby girl found in a box in China - discarded and abandoned. But, woven within the story are all the obstacles that bring home the reality of the tragedy of all those that do not have the same fortune. The book is an eye-opener to cultural barriers faced by missionaries or any others that seek to bring aid in the midst of established traditions and red tape. It also graphically illustrates the plight of children in Chinese orphanages. I highly recommend this book.

I found this book an emotional roller coaster of a story offering a real insight into the culture of China's one child policy. To curb the countries skyrocketing population the government only allows couples to have one child. The preference is to have a boy to carry on the family name leading the way for many baby girls to be killed or thrown out. If a woman brings forth a girl then her family, especially her in-laws, will ridicule her. This is an enjoyable true story about a Chinese baby girl that was abandoned and picked up by an American family living in China. They fought for her to get adopted by an American family. Baby in a Box chronicles the red tape encountered between the U.S. and Chinese governments and the difficulty of Communist China refusing to admit the baby even existed. It was a journey thru emotional highs and lows where the baby had to basically be re abandoned so she could be officially recognized as a Chinese citizen. With much faith through love and hope she could be adopted and set free in America by the Grace of God.

My daughter loves this book even though she is not adopted. I am a single mom. We read this book and talk about how parents really want to have children and how there are different types of families.

The perfect story to share with your adopted child - especially those adopting internationally. A heart warming story to share with your child.

"The Best Single Mom in the World: How I Was Adopted" is a children's book written and illustrated by Mary Zisk. As the title indicates, it is about a single woman who adopts a child. This is a straightforward story that celebrates the adoptive mother/child bond.

There are a lot of good points about this book. But reading it made me ponder many questions that go unaddressed. What does the mom do for a living? Who shares in the co-parenting duties when the mom is at work? The picture seems a bit too idealized and "politically correct."

Still, there is much to admire here. I like how the author shows that a single mom can provide her child with male figures in an extended circle of family and friends. And the artwork is truly beautiful: bursting with color and skillfully rendered detail. Scenes such as a soccer game and a trip to the zoo are wonderfully brought to life. Overall, a commendable effort.

I am a single mom of an adopted child. I had not really told my daughter the story of how we became a family. I happened on this book by accident, and it has become our before bed story. My daughter loves the story of how Anna and her Mom became a family. Although our story is not exactly the same it has gotten us to tell our story after we read the book. Jamie loves to look at the vibrant pictures and imagine they are pictures of us.

So thank you Ms. Zisk for your wonderful story.

This colorful picture book is about the need a woman has for a child and the child's need for a parent. Both are united in love and through adoption. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like their child to understand the love shared by adoption.

Every woman that has given up a child for adoption should read Birthmark.
Lorraine Dusky decribed the emotional torment a birth mother goes through.
Deeply moving and impossible to forget.

Lorraine Dusky is a pioneer, an architect of landmark legislation that changed the lives of adopted adults. With the publication of Birthmark, she became a woman both applauded and jeered. A career journalist, Dusky remains a crusader to give adopted people their birth right, their original birth certificates. Although out of print, this birth mother memoir is "a must read." As someone who understands the legislative process, what Dusky did took more than courage, it took endless hours, patience, and dedication. In taking on the challenge, she opened the door to deeply moving memories and captured them in Birthmark. Eloquently straight forward, Birthmark is a moving story -- easy to understand, hard to forget.

When Lorraine Dusky's brave book came out in 1979, no one knew what "birth mother" meant. But she opened the door to the secrecy that cloaked aloption in this country for decades. While she was hailed by adoption reformers, others condemned her, even on live television where bringing up open adoption records was deemed scandalous and outrageous.
"Birthmark" so clearly shows how the trauma of giving up a child for adoption forever changes the woman, no matter what happens in her life afterwards. Dusky does not spare her feelings, whether petty or grand, in this finely written memoir by an award-winning journalist.
This wrenching story presents the best case yet for unlocking all sealed adoption records once and forever. Numerous memoirs covering the same subject would come after, but "Birthmark" stands in a class by itself, truly a landmark book. Heartfelt and Brilliant. Kiana Davenport, Honolulu, Hawaii.

"Birthmark" is a must read for those who want to know how giving up their children affects women. It is the earliest birthmother memoir -- written when most were still well into the closet.

Dusky tell her story honestly. She explodes the myth that women give up their children and get on with their lives. She is an outspoken advocate for allowing adoptees to have their records. Natural mothers want to re-connect with their children, not hide from them.

"Birthmark" is well written and memorable.

Jane Edwards
Portland, OR

Released in 1979, Dusky broke new ground with Birthmark, as the very first book by someone known as a "birthmother" to tell her story.

"The call me `biological mother.' I hate those words. They make me sound like a baby machine, a conduit, without emotions. They tell me to forget and go out and make a new life. BUT I AM A MOTHER."

Sadly, every bit as relevant today as it was when it was written nearly thirty years ago - Birthmark poignantly spans her life from the time of her relationship that led to her pregnancy, through the birth of her daughter, and her inability to forget and get on with her life and despite having the career she thought giving up "the child" would allow. It will be most relevant for those who thought they could give away a child and pick up the pieces of their educations and careers...and for all those who told us we could or should.

"The child was everywhere. True, I stopped thinking about her every hour, and maybe sometimes several days would manage to slip by...But then something...commercials for gentle Ivory Snow, safe for baby...
"I would always be a woman who gave away a child."

Sprinkled with touching and revealing flashbacks to her youth in Michigan, her hopes, her dreams - fishing with her father...Birthmark is not just the first, it remains to this day far superior to other memoirs written by mothers who have lost children to adoption.

"I may look normal, but there's something a bit off. I cry much too easily, for starters.
"I am a mother without a child."

Dusky, a freelance writer who has written for many magazines and the New York Times, is bold, brazen and holds nothing back. With an astonishing depth of honesty she describes her her adultery and attempts to abort are exposed in raw truth - bare naked - for all to see. No more secrets; no more lies. Allowing the truth to set her - and us all - free at last. She shares her secrets as with a close and dear friend, allowing the reader to feel compassion for the young woman trying to find her way in a world that is unkind and judgmental to women.

She chides herself as she checks out her flattened post-delivery stomach:

"I wonder how much I weigh.
"Selfish slut, all you care about is yourself"

She opens her heart, soul and lets us traverse into her deepest inner thoughts, revealing her all too human frailties and self doubts, making the reader a confidant. We are privy to it all: The self-doubt, the self-loathing; the pain - the pain that never subsides - even as she gets strong enough to fight back. The irony of her loss for the sake of secret-keeping leading to her becoming an activist is profound. It is an intensely personal and intimate tale, and yet universal. Not in the details of the experiences, but in the aftermath of never forgetting.

It also makes a very strong and powerful political statement as she describes the scene in a courtroom where experts - who have never spoken to a mother who had relinquished testify as experts as to what is best for mothers and their adopted children.

I hope that Dusky reprints this out of print book. Until then, look for used copies. It's a book you can't put down until you've finished and then wish it hadn't ended. This will be true for those who have never thought about adoption every but as much as for those who live it every day....and share her pain, anguish, frustration, dread and anger.

Mirah Riben, author The Stork Market: America's Multi-Billion Dollar Unregulated Adoption Industry

This novel was the assigned summer reading for an Honors 9 English class. Without exception, the students loved this book.

Sunny skies and warm beaches was the life for fifteen year-old Juliana Martin-Drake. All of this
would change when her mother moves to Blackthorn, an "artist's paradise", on the coast of
England. Along with her two siblings, Edmund and Ivy, (more often referred to as the Goops) she
and her mother arrive in Blacthorn, and they meet her mother's old (literally) friend, Liza
Pethering, who didn't have a good looking appearance. She looked like a witch: old, black hair,
a crooked nose, and an attitude that could drive anyone mad. Juliana especially meets a
British teen named Duncan, whose stepfather, Quent Carrington, is renting her family an old
stone cottage, and is a talented sculptor, too. She also meets a photographer who's referred to
as Kate, whose mother, Celia Glendenning, isn't a fan of Liza Pethering either. It seems in
Blackthorn that everyone's against Liza Pethering, but no one pays any attention until she's
found dead in a stream after leaving the party drunk. The suspected killer, Simon Jukes, is
arrested and taken to the police. All is well until his brother keeps claiming that he's innocent,
and she suspects that maybe someone else killed Liza Perthering, and not Simon Jukes. That's
when she find's out the clues. First, in her own house, she discovers a bloodstain on the floor, and notices that a couple pieces of jewelry that was given to her mother was missing. One of them,
a beach rock, could have been used to knock Liza out, and then she would have been dragged
to the stream where she would have drowned. Then she finds the evidence that whoever did
this did use the rock, which was found in the stream. Then, Juliana finds a beach stone on her
porch threatening for her family to go home to America. All of a sudden, Juliana finds out
about her past, and figures out who has commited the crime: Quent Carrington, her family's
landlord, and Duncan's stepfather. After getting chased down an underground tunnel, Juliana
learns Quent's motive: jealousy. After Liza Pethering became such an accomplished artist, he
killed her. Either way, Juliana becomes a local hero, and even her father moves to England
where her family is finally reunited. Blackthorn Winter, by Kathryn Reiss, is an excellent novel
to read because of its suspense, its adventure, and how the English countryside is accurately
described.

Blackthorn Winter, by Kathryn Reiss, is an excellent novel to read because of its great suspense.
Throughout the novel, there are exerts that would literally put the reader on the edge of his or her
seat. In the later section of the book, Juliana is coming home from a trek around the town when
she hears something. A loud flush is heard, and a door opens - the bathroom door, as Celia
Glendenning comes out of it. Another is when Juliana is being chased down the underground
tunnel. Built during the Middle Ages, the tunnel is dark, damp, and has a fork in it or two. This will
make the reader think, "Which path should she take?" or, "Will it be a dead end?" Blackthorn
Winter, by Kathryn Reiss, has enough suspense for anyone who like to read books. This is a
complete must for people who are mystery fans, or fans of thrillers, too.

Blackthorn Winter, by Kathryn Reiss, is a book that is an absolute must for those who crave
adventure. The novel has several portions in which adventure would cause the reader to be
caught up into reading it. In one section, Juliana is constantly trying to discover the real culprit
of the mystery, and finds out being caught up being entagled in another mystery, one of her past.
Being adopted at the age of five, Juliana has never known her biological parents, until she sees
a flashback that relates to the current mystery in Blackthorn. Her mother and father, homeless
teenagers, were trying to raise their child, soon to be called Juliana. Her father, who died in
a motorcycle accident, and her mother, who died of a drug overdose, left her in the "care" of one
of her friends. Juliana then remembers where her mother was left to die: in a closet. All of this
adventure leads Juliana to discover who the real culprit of the mystery is. All of this adventure
makes those who are reading the novel spellbound, and they will want to read more and more
until the novel is over.

This novel, Blackthorn Winter, by Kathryn Reiss, is an excellent novel to get interrested into
because of its accurate description of the English countryside, its people, and its culture. The
author, Kathryn Reiss, wrote what a normal English person would say. All of the right vocabulary
was used, such as the word telly instead of T.V., and all of the different foods are described
correctly, like chips, or french fries. Any person from the United States who is going to visit
England should definitely read this novel.

Blackthorn Winter, by Kathryn Reiss, is a great novel to look into because it has a thrilling
suspense, an exciting adventure, and has the right aspects of a book. Although all of the
characters were fake, it told a story that matched what ordinary people would say. I would
reccomend this novel to anyone who likes to read because it has all of the elements of a
spectacular mystery. I rate this story a total of five stars out of five.

A. Chappell

In one of her latest novels, Blackthorn Winter, Kathryn Reiss puts everything you would think of in a mystery, and more into the plot. This book wasn't just your average "who done it" mystery; it included drama, suspense, and more. I have to say, I have read a lot of mysteries in my life, and this one definitely is on the top of my list. Some mysteries are a little unrealistic, but this one I could understand how she was feeling, and it all seemed real to me.
When Juliana Martin-Drake's parents split, her mom drags her and her two other siblings off to a small artist's town in England, called Blackthorn Village. Juliana is adopted, and can't remember anything from before she was five years old. When she arrives in Blackthorn, she starts to have strange dreams, and gets a sense of insecurity. Just when the Martin-Drake family starts to get settled in to their small cottage, one of their close friends is murdered. A prime suspect was immediately arrested, but Juliana was sure that he was innocent. When Juliana started looking into the murder more, she makes a shocking discovery. While all of that was going on, there was more drama; new friends, and even a boy named Duncan. Kathryn Reiss does a great job of making the dialog of the people interesting. For example, a very uneducated person, had very poor speech, and she wrote it like that. All of those little details made the story more realistic. Sometimes I felt like I was inside the book; when Juliana felt someone watching her, I would actually look around the room.
If I was asked what the main tone, or feeling of this book was, I would have to say suspense. I know I say it a lot, but that's what the book mainly was; full of suspense. There were many moments when I felt my own heart pounding. I have to say, the ending of this novel was only average. It wasn't great, but on the other hand, it wasn't totally horrible. It was basically the typical mystery ending; the criminal is arrested, and everyone is happy. There were a few more little details, such as Juliana finding out who her dead mother's parents are. I just wish that the author had extended the ending a little farther. I would have liked to see what Juliana's grandparents were like.
Overall, Blackthorn Winter was a great book. It included all of the great key things that need to be in a mystery. It can be a little scary at times, but that's what makes you never want to put it down. Trust me, I know; I spent a couple hours at a time reading this book. I would recommend this great book to a person who enjoys mysteries and suspense. You won't be disappointed.

This book is one of the best books I've ever read. Its about a girl named Juliana whose family goes to live in England. A friend of the family mysteriously gets murdered and Juliana must find out who has done it.
A very exciting book indeed - I recommend every one of Kathryn Reiss' books - all are terrific.

Juliana Martin-Drake has enough on her mind. Her mother has dragged her and her brother and sister halfway around the world in an effort to "find herself" as an artist. Not only does Juliana miss her dad, she worries that her parents will be getting a divorce. Then there's trying to fit into the artist's colony at Blackthorn.

Everything is different in England. Juliana misses the California sunshine, along with her private American bathroom and her gregarious friends. She doesn't know anyone in England; when she speaks to them, she only understands about half of what they're saying. And of course there's the tiny matter of her memory. Juliana can't remember anything from the time before she was adopted, at age 5. It has always bothered her, but --- somehow here in England, separated from almost everything familiar --- it seems even worse.

So the last thing she needs is to be involved in a murder mystery. But when someone bashes neighboring artist Liza Pethering on the back of the head and then leaves her in a river to drown, Juliana finds herself caught up in the drama. Everyone else seems relieved and almost happy when the police arrest the ne'er-do-well of the neighborhood, Simon Jukes. But to Juliana, things just don't add up. There are so many other people with better motives: Liza's henpecked husband; the local patron of the arts who's enraged by the cruel portrait Liza painted of her; the girl Liza recently fired, whose response was to wish Liza dead; and maybe even Juliana's own mother.

Despite mysterious warnings to back off, Juliana continues to investigate. The closer she gets to a solution, the more difficult she finds it to shake the feeling that this is all tied up with her own mysterious past. Will she succeed in unraveling the mystery before the murderer decides to make her the next victim?

BLACKTHORN WINTER is an exciting combination of a novel about coming-of-age angst and a mystery. Kathryn Reiss does a good job of devoting equal time to each aspect, and of integrating the two themes into a great read. With believable characters, a fascinating setting and a compulsively readable mystery, BLACKTHORN WINTER is a wonderful addition to anyone's library.

--- Reviewed by Paula Jolin

I knew from the moment I received this book I knew I was going to enjoy it. Rhonda's story took me on a much-needed journey into the life of relationship conflicts, after all, most adoptee's have difficulty in relationships. However the theme throughout remains clear--everything worthwhile is difficult. Robert and Rhonda are soul mates and the way they write about each other is breathtaking and honorable. The way they describe how their respective relinquishment affected their lives--especially their relationships--was brave, intimate, and necessary. As an adoptee and fellow author I felt a part of their journey, cheering them on all the way. I consider this book a masterpiece on the affect adoption has on adult relationships and especially how to persevere when the going gets tough.

Kasey Hamner, M.S., adoptee and author of "Whose Child?"

Reading your book evokes the same emotional unrest one experiences with a serious contemplation of death. Neither is a feel good experience but both would be useful to most people. The very discord evoked by such an examination is an indicator that there are important internal issues unresolved and in immediate need of attention. In my mind, I compare the emotional trauma of such an inquiry to the process of birth. Both are traumatic but once done are the beginning of a new life. If nothing else was accomplished by the writing of this book, it's creation required that you both complete that difficult journey. Having suffered together through the birth of the book, I like to think that you both are now ready to live the new and better life you have made for yourselves. Enjoy!

This unique book offers a new perspective on the inner world of the adoptee that is insightful, intelligent and intensely provocative. The authors have written a classic that is a must read for any adopted person or anyone who wants to understand what makes an adoptee tick.

Joe Soll, CSW, author of "Adoption Healing ... A Path to Recovery"

This is another excellent though difficult book on the subject of adoption, like Robert Andersen's other title Second Choice: Growing up Adopted. Both were very useful to this adoptee.

It is difficult in two ways. It may unsettle adoptees reading it who have not considered the adoption issues raised. That is good. That is why it is valuable.

It is also difficult in its introduction of a private language and definition of terms to describe the effects of relinquishment by the birth mother and the transference that results; terms such as ghost kingdom, land of denial, free territory. Thankfully there is a page of definitions, page 314; a good starting point.

I feel that my trauma from adoption was not as severe, pervasive and all-encompassing in my life as it was for the authors. I also feel a suspicion that I delude myself. To paraphrase Clifton Fadiman, this book is a tool for self-discovery. `It will simply help you to change your interior life ...'

Robert Andersen finds insights in dealing with adoption issues from helping those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The authors tell an extremely personal story in vivid and disturbing terms, courageously exposing their feelings and relationship. Bertrand Russell said about being blackguarded for his beliefs over his appointment as a New York college professor "`to withdraw' ... would certainly have been more prudent as far as my personal interests are concerned, and a great deal pleasanter. ... it would also, in my judgement, have been cowardly and selfish."

I feel that the authors have been similarly courageous in exposing their feelings, writing this book and so aiding other adoptees. They deserve the thanks of adoptees everywhere. I heartily recommend this book.

In A Bridge Less Traveled: Twice Visited, Doctor Robert Andersen and classroom school teacher Rhonda Tucker collaborate to present issues arising from adoption and how adoption colors everyday experiences. Anderson and Tucker are themselves adoptees and explore the consequences of relinquishment unobscured or discounted through platitudes. They draw upon their adoptive experience to suggest avenues for resolution of these issues for adoptees, which includes much more than search for and reunion with their biological parents. A Bridge Less Traveled is "must" reading for anyone struggling with a need for an authentic identity as an adoptee and has much of critically important value and insight for the parents of adoptees and for anyone contemplating the adoption of a child.