Adoption Books

I turned to this legal guide first. Later when I sat in my attorney's office with the expensive meter running, I already knew the answers to the basic questions. This guide helped me focus on the important aspects of adoption, gave me sample forms, a reading list, and possible scenarios that I had overlooked. Comprehensive enough for the layman without being inundated with legalese. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone starting the adoption process.

It's so hard to find information about the negative sides of adoption. This book is a good source for some reality adoption info.

This lovely book is a unique combination of psychology, poetry, scholarship, and the personal experiences of an adoption therapist working with all sides of the adoption triad--adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive parents. This is the first book to take the pscychology of the soul, as taught by James Hillman and popularized by Thomas Moore, into the realm of adoption. Dr.Severson writes with beauty, grace, and surprising wit, from a wide background of classical,contemporary, romantic, and Celtic literature and myth, song and story, as well as the usual psychological sources. He exposes the intellectual barreness of a purely sociological approach to adoption and adoption counseling, and favors instead seeing and healing the whole person wounded by the adoption system, body and soul. This series of essays details how that healing may begin, and what impedes it under the current sealed record system. I am a birthmother, and found Dr.Severson's views on birthmother grief to be accurate and compassionate, and his observations on the adoption reform movement, with which I have been involved for years, to be astute and true. His use of language is fluid,expert, and poetic in the best sense--like the natural poetry of the Celtic Bards with which he is well acquainted. His advice is down-to earth and useful, as well as profound. I would reccomend this book to all interested in or involved in adoption and adoption reform, and especially to adoption professionals, as a standard of excellence to which they might aspire.

The stories of lives transformed by adoption in this book are the most heartwarming imaginable. The Adoption Exchange in Denver specializes in "special needs" adoptions - children who are physically, mentally, and emotionally handicapped. Some are the result of birth defects, others of abuse by unfit parents, or perhaps years in uncaring foster homes. The stories are written by adoptive parents and siblings, and by the children themselves. There must be a special place in Heaven for these adoptive parents, many of whom already have large families but have opened their hearts to children who need them desperately. In one touching story, parents take home an infant they know is dying. Their mission is to love that child for the short time he has on Earth. Another story is by a young man who prayed for years to be adopted, updating his "resume" every few years after he learned to write. Ultimately he aged out of the foster care system still unadopted, but he wanted everyone at Adoption Exchange to know that, even though he will always be sad about this, his life has turned out well. A lovely book for anyone who has ever loved a child or wanted to be loved.

This book is an excellent read for those considering adoption. The writing flows and is easy to follow. It is one of those books that is not easily put down. The author draws the reader in and allows the reader to experience a lot of the emotions integral with adoption. The author is an excellent story teller.

Most of the books on adoption seem to try to talk the reader out of their desire to pursue adoption. This book provides the reality of adoption without being negative. It is very encouraging.

If you are a Christian, you will especially be able to relate to the stories told. If you are not a Christian, I would get the book any way. The information is still very helpful.

The bottom line: If you are seriously considering adoption - you should get this book. You will not be sorry.

Though out of print, still very interesting. Chapters are split between the authors. Linda Steiner's chapters are particularly well-done.

This is a lovely book about interracial adoption narrated by little David. I liked the author's idea that the big word Adoption "really means LOVE," and she invokes the image of angels of love who help every boy and girl to find a loving family. The most charming child drawings accompany little David's understanding of what it means to be adopted and how it doesn't matter what color of skin the children or parents have. This book is heart warming for families of non-interracial adoptions too.

Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?

Like the first Anne book, Anne of Green Gables, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. And though many think these books sentimental mush, I seemed to garner a lot from reading them.

They teach me to see God in new and exciting ways - to see God more in Nature and the world around me that He has created - to look for the best in all people I meet, especially those who are hard to like, ie Mrs. Rachael Lynd and Mr. Harrison. We have to learn to see past the exterior to see the person inside.

This is an invaluable tool for anyone with an interest in the complexities of adoption. I cannot praise it highly enough.

I enjoyed this book and couldnt put it down. It is really sweet and has a very happy ending.