Adoption Books

Sue Sternberg is the master of dog sheltering and adoptions. She can read dogs like no other person and she can teach those skills.

A Little Princess follows the story of Sara Crewe, a young girl whose mother died when she was a baby and who has been sent to bording school. She has the finest clothes and toys and anything she wants but isn't spoiled (the story is a fairy tale, by the way). She imagines herself as a princess and wants to be kind wise and just. She does good deeds as her way of "scattering largess to the population." This results in her being the social butterfly of the bording school and earns her the animosity of its queen bee. All this changes in an instant when her fortune is lost and she becomes a scullery maid in the same boarding school. She works all day, sleeps in an unheated attic, and is underfed. She now imagines herself as a princess in disguise, and continues to try and do good deeds for anyone less fotunate. But now she has another identity too - a soldier, like her father, who must live on rations and bravely face each day.

I didn't find this book to be overly sappy and sentimental, but it got close to the borderline at times. There were plenty of discussions of dolls and lacey dresses and ribbons. I read this as an adult. I guess these are supposed to appeal to little girls who want to have a little princessy playground and so would love to read about ribbons, but I think descriptions of lace would have put me off as a child as well. Like I said, these only get borderline sappy, probably because Sara soon becomes penniless and enters the lower class. As a scullery maid she experiences hunger, phsychological abuse from the bording school mistress, and a grinding work schedule. This is not sugar coated for the children, but it isn't the focus either. The focus is on Sara's internal thoughts, her relationships with her few loyal student friends, and what she thinks of the neighbors and the new people she meets and things she sees. So even though there is all this poverty it is there as a setting and not because the author has an axe to grind. Even the ending is fairy tale, but partly bitter-sweet. Strangely enough, this book came across as realistic.

This is a children's book, but functions as a book for adults as well. For example, the estate agent's diplomacy in getting Sara hired by the bording school after she is found to be penniless has some subtlties that are going to be more real for older readers.

I recommend this book to all. It is a children's book that works for adults too. It skirts the border of sappy, but for me didn't cross over at any point. It was a good story that I read through quickly and did not get bored with or bogged down by.

This is an excellent resource for researching and critiquing the policy and process in adoption.

This book is NOT just for pediatricians. In fact, it is incredibly useful for adoptive parents at many stages in the adoption process, including:
(a) those wanting reliable information about the general medical/health risks of different programs/countries;
(b) those wanting to know how much and what kind of medical information to expect at referral; and
(c) those who want background information about certain medical conditions that are more common for international adoptees than the general U.S. population.

The book's contents include a review of available literature on the more common medical issues by country/region. It also addresses prenatal exposure risks (e.g., to alcohol, drugs, smoking, and stress), immunization issues, travel and transition to the adoptive family, growth and development, infectious diseases, neurcognitive/behavioral problems, and other topics. Not surprisingly, the book has somewhat of a clinical feel but for all that is highly readable for the layperson.

Quiet Dan has been adopted into a family which has experienced a series of foster children over the years - and his new 'sister' Mary can't understand why. For Dan, it's an uncertain miracle which can change at any moment, and his past survival skills kick in to keep him at bay from his new family. For Mary Kate, a determination to reject the new brother almost becomes reality. A moving, involving story which gives plenty of psychological insights.

This is a really helpful book which covers a wide range of legal, medical, and psychological topics.

This book was the most best book I ever read. It was easy to read and I still love it. My favorite part was when the old man gave Harvey away and Harvey got a new home. I like the details that they did. The illustrations are the most beautiful I ever seen. It makes me think that when I get older, when I have to give Daisy (my dog) away because I can't take care of her anymore, I hope she also gets a nice family just like us.
Sincerely,
Jana Danzeisen

This book is very touching and exciting. It is very cool. I really enjoyed it. If you are looking for a great book buy and read this one. You will love it.

Penny is a lucky little boy. His real name is William but, when he was adopted by his parents they named him Penny because his hair was copper red! Penny is best friends with his neighbor Patsy. They have lots of adventures together in this book. You never know what to expect from them!

The book is full of good old fashion fun. No violence or bad words are found in this book. Kids respect the adults as well.

I would recommend this book to kids who are just starting out with chapter books. The chapters are not too long and not too short

This edition of the History of Connecticut is a reproduction of an 1857 historical treatis by G. H. Hollister. It is not only an interesting historical account of the colonization of Connecticut, but also an excellent window into the perceptions of 19th Century historians whose interpretations are of course quite different from that of today. Bravo to the University of Michigan University Library that created this, and other, reproductions of primary source historical material.