Adoption Books

My 5 year old loves this book and wants to show it to everyone. He loves to hear about how happy a child can make people. He wants to try to draw like the colorful pictures in the book. It's a captivating story!

I began reading this story to my daughter when she was a toddler. She loved hearing that she was just like the princess. The story sets the stage to begin to talk about adoption with your young child through the king and queens quest to find the tiny princess.

A fascinating read of a sister searching for a sister that she never knew existed. The search over a period of time, and how there really can be a happy ending. I know the sister's will always be connected, and they will be part of each other's lives. It's a great read!

Good Read. I wrote it. Family dynamics not normally considered in adoption issues, yet a fun, loving story about the strength of women within the family circle. Feedback has been "good read".

Ken Fong is a pastor in LA, a noted conference speaker and a pioneer in multi-ethnic ministry, specifically among Asians. He is also an adoptive father. It is the last of these credentials that lends such personal authenticity to this book.

In candid and personal style, the author weaves his personal story with Biblical and historical truths to detail the doctrine of adoption. The result is an undeniable view of God's choice to love His children, those who believe in His Son, Jesus. It's a beautiful reality, one offering freedom and peace. It is well written and an easy read.

My sister was adopted from Korea at the age of three, three years before I was born. Because of this, the doctrine of adoption has never been a difficult concept for me, but Mr. Fong does an amazing job making this spiritual truth tangible. My favorite part is the details of Roman adoption as it was when Paul wrote his letters. It was much more than just accepting a stranger into your family. It was about cancelling debts and freely giving an inheritance, regardless of age or merit. It is a perfect illustration of God's love.

Final Thoughts: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. While it may seem "academic" in parts, this is a foundational doctrine to salvation and intimacy with God the Father. Every Christian should read this book.

In summary, I highly recommend this book. I have been waiting for some time for an author to write a book like this - a book that highlights and practically explains the biblical theme of adoption (a theme found in several of the Apostle Paul's letters). With few exceptions, this biblical theme of adoption (or the "theology of adoption") is all too often neglected - other than as an aside in expansive theological treatises. However, in this book Fong offers a compelling articulation of this theme interwoven with the story of his family's own adoption journey (as well as other beautifully rich vignettes, the most powerful of which is entitled "Unbelievably Blessed" found on pp. 53-55).

As an adoptive parent, I have recommended (and given away copies of) this book time and time again to other adoptive parents as well as to those who are considering adoption. But this book is by no means only for adoptive families. Through Fong's presentation of the biblical theme of adoption, I believe that all people can gain a more complete understanding of the love of God. As such, I look forward to one day sharing the message of this book with my children as a way to illustrate how much they are loved by their parents and even more so by God.

If anyone is interested in how a one year old thinks, then this is going to be a fun read. Of course, nobody knows how a one year old thinks, but this book tells us what it must have been like for them during the 2-3 week adoption ordeal in China. Of course this could have taken place in any country, but it just so happens these people adopted their fourth child (first 3 were biological) from China. If you are adopting, this could be very useful to you.

This was a unique book, since the author wrote it as if he/she was the 1 year old being adopted. Everything was from the childs point of view. If you are adopting a child abroad, you will love reading this book.

In kindergarten, children begin to ask simple questions about adoption. I first learned about A Star Named Little One from Adoptive Families. I used this book to help explain about adoption to my son's kindergarten class. The message is that a family is a family. The book so touched the hearts of the teachers, that we donated our copy to the school library and gave one as a gift to our son's speech therapist, also an adoptive mother.

The real proof of the value of this book was when a kindergartener came up to me at the Christmas celebration, and introduced me to his mother as the lady who talked about how we get a family.

Great book, geared at a young child's understanding.

This is a great book for parents of adopted children to begin telling the story of how they became a family. One of the things that I liked most about it is that the simple story line acts, at different points, as prompts for me to be able to fill in the details that are relevant to my own family's story. So, it really becomes a story about my daughter.

The book introduces the character of "Little One" who is waiting with her guardian angel in the heavens. Each time they see a twinkling star another child is being called to join her parents. One day, it's Little One's turn to join her family and while she is traveling so is her family on an airplane. Finally, they unite and Little One remembers the angel's answer to her question of how she will know that she belongs with her family: you'll know in your heart. Sweet. Perfect.

I really enjoy telling my daughter her story while using this book because I can talk about her and her family and not just characters in a story. I think you'll like this book for telling your adopted child her own family story. I think think the boy's version would be fine for your son, too.

Photographer and author Eric Blau does the greatest service to all members of the adoption triad. With only simple introductions, Blau allows the adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents the forum to tell their stories, relay their feelings, and share their worlds. The b&w photos are as telling as the text; some are particularly haunting yet poignant. Of particular note is the inclusion of several birthfather tales, usually absent from similiar volumes. It is an even-handed look into the good and bad of adoption, and allows the reader to make up his or her own mind without preaching any agenda (ditto the forward by Annette Baran). The only book I've come across that is perhaps suitable for non-triad members to read in the hopes of grasping what the rest of us have dealt with.

Eric Blau has done a superb job in introducing his readers to the often heart-breaking world of relinquishment, search and reunion. Touching insights are given into the lives of birthmothers and adoptees alike: the pain that some birthmothers still feel years after relinquishment is palpable; the isolation and shame that many felt while living in a time when being an unwed mother was a disgrace; the lack of support from family and friends; and the lies they were told about how easily they would be able to get on with their lives. Blau balances these stories with those of other birthmothers who are not so emotionally attached -- who feel that they have made the right decision and have moved on with their lives, and never looked back. Through Blau's deftly handled interviews the reader gains fascinating insights into the lives of adoptees, some of whom never knew they were adopted until adulthood; others who struggle with mixed race adoptions, and finally, those who search but will likely never find. Blau compliments the writing with black and white photographs, some of which are often stark and revealing. This is an excellent book, particularly good for sharing with others who have no insights to adoption and who have expressed an interest to learn more, but not to "study" the subject. As a reunited birthfather, I highly recommend it.

The books in The Latina Series are about girls who were brought to this country by their families, quite often by crossing Mexico and the Rio Grande.
They have grown up in a country that doesn't want them.

Each story is about a girl's quest to find the life that is right for her.

Often that means choosing between family, friends, boyfriends, and educational opportunities.

'summer of dolores', first in the series, is about a girl named Dolores; dolores is the Spanish word for pain. She has adapted well to the U.S. and is ready to graduate from high school and attend college. Her mother, she assumed dead, appears and expects Dolores to rescue her and her other two children from a life of violence and poverty in Guatemala.

'educacion linda', second in the series, is about a girl from El Salvador named Linda; linda in Spanish means beautiful. Linda dreams of studying and is determined to win a full scholarship for Hispanic girls. Her mother, best friend, and boyfriend, however, think that's crazy. That isn't her only problem though. Her mother's live-in boyfriend has more than a casual interest in her.

Finally someone has written a book to appeal to adolescents that have come to the United States from a foreign land. They deserve to have something to read also. Come it coming, Wanda.

I must say, the woman has skills! I saw the British TV show (featuring Tracy) and decided to check her works out. I notice a LOT of things she mentions in superdate and it was really refreshing try out the techniques on people. More importantly, I was doing bad posing too, and that had to be worked out. The illustration was great in this book too, so this is definitely a book I've already recommended to many, and would continue to recommend to anyone needing help in this dating world. Many women don't know how to flirt, today, so they just show some skin or get overly sexy. So in the absense of females with real flirt skills, the book was a HUGE help. Now, on to the next book of hers superflirt!

The name of the book is somewhat misleading: it should be called "Body Language 101" or "Body Language Literacy Course".

I have read a dozen of books on body language but nothing comes even close to this one. This book's best feature is full-color photos that show body language in action. There are more photos than text, which is great. All other books have occasional drawings but they don't reflect the magnitude of people's poses and facial expressions; here everything is as simple as 1-2-3.

Now I can just glance across the room and see in an instant how the people around me feel and what they are up to. Incredibly powerful.

Moreover, I can pick on my own bad body language and it's easy to change it to something I'd like to communicate.

It will work not only for dating situations but in any situation where you communicate with people (including posting photos in personals or applying for a job).

If you want to be "body language literate" in an instant, get this book - you'll be glad you did!

I know that you people say that you know celebrities, and famous writers, but I actually do. I go to Bayview Glen School in North York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am in grade 10 (sophomore) and I hace chosen to take Drama class as an elective. I have found out that David R.I. McKinstry (AKA Mr.McKinstry to me) was the substitute teacher to my actual Drama teacher. Seeing as this past school year (beginning of September to now) my actual Drama teacher hasn't been here half the time, I have had Mr.McKinstry as a substitute. As you have heard, some novelists are complete buttheads, but Mr.McKinstry is one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. He is also in the process of getting another book published (and I can't wait). Keep writing Mr.McKinstry!

I bought this book as I had seen the author on the television. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it, or maybe put it to one side to read another time. It's about a man's struggle to adopt a child, which would be a book in itself, but the fact that the man is gay makes it even more compelling. David Mckinstry gives a frank and honest look into his personal life, and you feel as though you are fighting with him. I ran the gammet of emotions while reading this - I laughed, cried, and got angry with the world. I realised that the most important thing in a child's life is love, and that the sexuality of the parent is irrelevant. The things that happen in a heterosexual relationship's bedroom do not affect the child, so I was at a loss to understand why authorities believe that what happens in a gay man's bedroom is important.

This book is a truly good read. You be amazed at how much one person can achieve if he really dares to chase his dreams.

I was in foster care and was adopted myself. This book starts out with easy questions and helps to build a level of comfort, before moving on to some of the more challenging questions. It talks about both positives and negatives, and really gives an adolescent a good, safe opportunity to explore his/her life so far and think about where he/she would like it to head.

An adolescent could do this all at once, or could take his/ her time. It is cohesive, but also easy to leave off in one place and come back to later.

This is a great thing for an adolescent to work on with a caring adult. I highly recommend this book. The interactive nature and ability this gives the adolescent to take ownership of his/her experiences is great.

--J. Justin Pasquariello

I think "For When I'm Famous" is great! I just gave a copy to another child last week, and he thought it was so cool! We spend our session driving all over the city taking pictures of places he's lived, schools, parks, etc to put in his lifebook. Thanks to Beth O'Malley for her dedication to these kids!

Kelley Fox, clinical social worker