Adoption Books

We are very satisfied with this book and recommend it for adoptive and non adoptive families. It is a story about love!

Horace is delightful. It is very simply written and simply and beautifully illustrated. Yet, it's deep. It introduces themes that are central to many, many adoptees' experience in a simple, straight-forward, and even loving way: a sense of loss, feeling different, and the need to understand who they are before/during/beyond their adopted family. Horace's parents are consistently loving and accepting. They tell Horace the truth; they seem to understand his struggle and need to search for something; and they are there loving & accepting him the whole time. The image of the little leopard trying to connect his spots into stripes touched me deeply. I read some of the negative reviews---everyone has a different opinion---but for me, at least, those very negatives were some of the most positive aspects of this gentle, truthful, reassuring read. Thank you.

Holly Keller, Horace (Morrow, 1991)

Horace is another of the adoption books that's been on my plate recently, and of the batch I've read over the last month or so, I'd have to say this one's the best by a pretty wide margin. The title character is a leopard who's been adopted by a family of tigers, and after a birthday party where he's overwhelmed by the number of stripes surrounding him, he decides to go out into the world and find a place where people look like him.

Oddly, despite the fact that I really liked this, I wanted to see more of it; Keller sets up the situation in such a way that there are a pretty sizable number of neuroses that could crop up towards the end, and seeing how Horace and his family reacted to those could have made for an interesting book (though it would quickly grow much larger than your typical kids' picture book), but what's here is good for what it is-- a reassuring look at the choice adoptive parents make in choosing kids that don't look like them. Good stuff. I'm hoping for a sequel. ****

This is the adoption book that most touched our adopted daughter. It addresses the issue of not physically looking like parents. Now in her twenties she still reads it like a favorite poem. We routinely purchase it as a "new baby" gift for children adopted by friends.

Although I was initially hesitant about this book because of the "chosen child" language (Horace is told that he was chosen as an infant), I went ahead and read this with my daughter. It proved to be a breakthrough for us. We have talked about her story with her as long as we've known her, but she never shared with me her feelings about us looking different than each other. Reading this together has opened new avenues of discussing her past and has helped her process feelings and thoughts about her place in our family.

I agree with another reviewer that the use of the word "lost" in relation to the birth family is not ideal, but that also proved to be helpful in launching a conversation about the possible reasons for my daughter's relinquishment and gives me ocassion to assure her that it was and is not her fault.

I find now that my daughter is old enough to express more clearly her thoughts and feelings about having been adopted, books with less-than-ideal adoption language actually help us have some really good conversations. I'd rather her hear that language and those ideas about adoption with me than from others.

The Pumpkin Patch: A Single Woman's International Adoption Journey is a compilation of the author's journal entries about her adoption experience. The author started writing this journal when she started the paperwork to adopt two children from the Ukraine. In the early portions of this journal, the author explains her reasoning for wanting to become a mother and why she chose Ukrainian children to adopt. The author also gives details of every step of her journey including the amount of paperwork, costs, and waiting times during the application process. She also honestly and straightforwardly expresses days when she can't wait to become a mom and days when she is terrified at the mere thought as well as days when she is sure she is fighting a never-ending battle of bureaucracy.

The middle portion of this book looks at the author's experiences in Ukraine as she searches for her future children through the actual adoption processes to bring her two boys home. The author learns in this section that the painfully bureaucratic application process is nothing compared to the actual adoption process. Each step of this journey was stalled by more paperwork, complete with the appropriate donations and inflated fees.

The final section of this book looks at life after adoption. This section details the extreme lifestyle changes that the author had to make, her triumphs, and her challenges. This section also outlines some of the unique problems and special health issues associated with adopting international children.

The information contained in this book will be invaluable to any person or couple thinking about adoption, either domestically or internationally. Not only will the reader get a detailed step by step view of the paperwork and fees that must be completed but they will also realize that doubts and delays are just part of the process. Moreover, they will be reminded that though the process is extremely difficult, time consuming, and expensive that in the end it is worth the effort.

The Pumpkin Patch: A Single Woman's International Adoption Journey is Margaret Schwartz's true account of her travels to Ukraine to adopt two boys from an orphanage there.

Written in journal style, Schwartz presents a day-by-day account of the little joys and heartbreaks along her long journey in search of her "forever children". Loaded with detail, the adoption process is laid out from the first decisions through the travel to Ukraine to Schwartz's first months as a single mom. Along the way, she deals with foreign cultures, labyrinthine bureaucracy, political corruption, and unexpected health and emotional complications.

This is a very personal book, and Schwartz has invested a great deal of emotion into it. She captures the little joys and disappointments wonderfully, and it's hard to take issue when she lapses into sentimentality, although she does so quite frequently.

International adoption is changing so rapidly that it's impossible to hold up any one experience as "typical", so readers (myself included) who are considering adopting a child should not look to this book as a guide to what they will experience. It is, however, an inspiring story of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, and contains wealth of little insights about parenting.

This book called to me as I sought information as part of my decision making process on whether to adopt a child as a single-parent. Determining whether to adopt as a single draws out many unexpected emotions and concerns, and it is often a lonely process with few people who truly understand the magnitude of the decison and of the bureaucracy. The author described herself and her emotions--grappling with concerns about how to raise children alone, finances, and the potential for future relationships. Her concerns were similar to my own, and undoubtedly to many singles considering adoption. Yes, the author was a bit naive in working without an agency and also in adopting two toddlers at once on her own. However, she also had developed and nurtured a strong social network, was incredibly strong and was endearing in her positive hopes for herself and her world. The book also shared some unexpected lessons to me about not sharing adoption plans too widely too soon, the real financials of adoption (post-adoption medical expenses, time off without pay, and also thousands of $$ cash while traveling), the medical issues encountered, and certainly about the depths of love a child brings into your life. From her beginning description of a successful, single, professional in her forties, I felt a connection

My husband & I are prospective international adoptive parents (also through Eastern Europe). As we go through the preparation, gathering paperwork, etc, it is helpful for us to gather real stories from people who have actually been through it. With this book, I had hoped to read a detailed account of firsthand experiences, and I was not disappointed. Of course, each family's journey is unique, but there will undoubtedly be some common ground. I am glad that Ms. Schwartz did not end at the point of bringing her boys home but continued to describe the process of growing together as a family back in America.

It always strikes me that most memoirs about the adoption process feature the struggles of people who entered into the process blindly, innocently, and naively then were amazed at the difficulties they encountered. This book is no exception to the pattern. What is surprising is that the author seems to have had a good outcome despite her near ignorance of what she was doing.

She has a compelling story to tell. Unfortunately, her choice of writing the book as a journal leads to alot of repetition of thoughts and emotions. No doubt she experienced them every day, but reading the same brief description many times over is not as interesting as if she described the thought process just once in detail (ex: giving thanks to her sister almost every day). The book ends quite abruptly, without any closure.

Having just adopted 2 toddlers from Russia last year, I was looking forward to reading someone else's journey. I was left quite dissappointed, however.

I am adopted myself. I was able to identify with the real people in these stories. Like these people, I wanted to find my birth family for many years, and felt many emotions along the way. It was interesting to know that others shared my feelings. This is the first book I've found that includes reunions from the beginning to the end, and describes all the steps of searching. Besides that, it's as good as a detective novel, with suspense, plot twists and satisfying resolutions

I found that this book to be a riveting account of the adoption reunion experience. While most adoption books contain a scant paragraph or two describing each entire reunion experience, this book chronicles three stories completely from adoption to reunion. The reader is able to experience all of the emotions, feelings, hopes and dreams of these long lost family members who are longing to find each other.

This book reveals all of the emotions in the roller coaster of adoption reunions. From the longings of search, to the determination of hope, to the euphoria, healing and validation of finding one's roots, this book has it all. It was written by an author who has experienced reunion herself, in collaboration with professional searchers who are from three generations of adoption. This book offers unique understanding and empathy into the reunion situation and beyond

Together Again is an insightful book that contributes to the much needed resources in the adoption community. I read it in one sitting. I believe it is one of the books that should be read by anyone who is looking to embark upon locating their genetic families and those whose lives have been impacted by adoption. --- Jennifer Arndt-Johns

I'm a 35-year-old adoptee that was reunited with my birthmother within the past year. I had spent over 15 years searching for her on my own and finally hired private investigators who came through for me after almost five years of waiting. (Fortunately, with them, you don't pay until THEY find!!!) Anyway, my reunion was more than I could have hoped for and am pleased to have a good relationship with my birthmother.

The stories in this book were very interesting but this book is hardly an in-depth, insightful look at the emotional roller coaster of search and reunion. I found it quite shallow when it came to dealing with the gut level feelings of the members of the adoption triad. All I can say is that these stories could have been condensed and published in Reader's Digest, which I also find skims the surface in their articles. I would not recommend this book at all as a major resource for searching adoptees or birthparents.... This was a real disappointment.

Due to issues with infertility my husband and I have decided to look into adopting. This book has been wonderful for answering any and all of our questions. I highly recommend it to anyone considering adoption or already in the process.

I found this book to be one of the better resource books on adoption that I've read so far. It was particularly helpful for us because we are adopting an older child through another state's social services agency. There isn't a lot of information out there specifically for older child adoption and this book provided some new information for us.

This is a great book to start the process of adoption, with information on all aspects of adopting. Once you read it, you will be able to narrow down the huge number of choices. Because of the massive amount of information on each aspect of adoption, you will need other references once you chose the plan that's right for you. However, this is the complete place to start your journey.

Loved the inforamtion. The book spends most of its pages on baby adoptions out of the country, as opposed to in state adotpions as I was hoping. This book does provide information on each states procedures and processes. I'm not sorry I got the book, it will be a useful tool through our state adoption process.

If anyone is considering any form of adoption, they need not look much further than this book for general information. It covers a wide range of subjects related to adoption, is very thorough and informative, and also quite easy to read. I picked it up because my wife and I are considering interracial special needs adoption, and most books don't talk about these subjects in depth, but this one does.

This book was written as a call to arms. It builds on many themes developed in Korten’s previous book, When Corporations Rule the World (1995). Many in the world of business and finance will not like this book because it posits the radical restructuring of economic systems, specifically suggesting the elimination of capitalism. This book was meant for CEOs who have the power to institute the changes Korten recommends. However, its radical perspective probably means that the book will be more widely read by CEOs of corporations which already have an environmental focus and by the leaders of environmental organization. Recommended to any executive who is interested in a different point of view about the financial world’s role in environmental concerns.

David Korten vividly describes the potential state of the world. This book takes a wonderfully complex topic and summates it briefly and simply. The alternatives to global plutocracy are made clear and ample citation is provided. I have recommended this book to a myriad of friends and can only hope that many more people stumble upon it.

In titling his book "The Post-Corporate World : Life After Capitalism," you'd think that the author would at least IMAGINE a world without corporations and without capitalism. He does not. He can not. He proceeds to knock the market economy, calling capitalism a cancer, but offers nothing to take its place. This book is only a compliation of his negative feelings about the world the way it is. Amazingly, his only meager suggestions are for people to buy from small businesses and to avoid buying from large corporations. He repeats over and over again throughout the book that capitalism is a cancer, as if repeating it would make it so... He seems to think that small businesses are not practicing capitalism, and that just ...

Many people have winced at Korton's now ecological turn. They would rather he simply kept to pure economics, facts and theories, and dump the New Age spin he picked up from biologist Mae-Wan Ho. They were hoping that "The Post-Corporate World" would simply be Part II of his last sizzler, "When Corporations Ruled the World." They see the soft-headed ecological metaphor as a meaningless distraction that will only serve the interests of the enemy -- i.e., number-crunching CEOs, who have no time (after all, time is money) for ecological quackery.

In my opinion, "When Corporations Ruled the World" does not need a sequel. It did the job perfectly. Nor will taking a simply factual stand against the global corporate juggernaut fundamentally alter things. This is what Korten is driving at in his book. He believees we need to understand the world on radically different terms. We need to approach reality with a new story and a new bag of metaphors -- because the old ones have not been doing the job. If you simply want a truckload of facts disavowing capitalism's ability to meet human needs (and by that, I mean all humans -- not just 1 percent of the population), read his first book. It will not only alarm you, but it will arm you to the hilt with anti-corporate firepower for the next time you enter a debate on capitalism's merits. If you want a richer analysis of the inherent paradoxes of capitalism, and a more thorough understanding of what is necessary to remedy the current situation, read this book. The books serve two different functions: The last book was by and large descriptive, whereas this book is heavy on prescription.

Despite what our hard-headed, number-crunching economists might tell you, capitalism is indeed a lot like a cancer. "Cancer occurs when genetic damage causes a cell to forget that it is part of a larger body, the healthy function of which is essential to its own survival. The cell begins to seek its own growth without regard to the consequences for the whole, and ultimately destroys the body that feeds it. As I came to learn more about the course of cancer's development within the body, I cam to realize that the reference to capitalism as a cancer is less a metaphor than a clinical diagnosis of a pathology to which market economic are prone in the absence of adequate citizen and governmental oversight."

In her ground-breaking book, "If You Love This Planet: A Plan to Heal the Earth," the now-famous physicist Helen Caldicott wrote, "as a physician I examine the dying planet as do a dying patient. The earth has a natural system of interacting homeostatic mechanisms similar to the human body's. If one system is diseased, like the ozone layer, then other systems develop abnormalities in function-the crops will die, the plankton will be damaged, and the eyes of all creatures on the planet will become diseased and vision impaired.

"We must have the tenacity and courage to examine the various disease processes afflicting our planetary home. But an accurate and meticulous diagnosis is not enough. We never cure patients by announcing that they are suffering from meningococcal meningitis or cancer of the bladder. Unless we are prepared to look further for the cause, or etiology, of the disease process, the patient will not be cured. Once we have elucidated the etiology, we can prescribe appropriate treatments." (Caldicott, 1991)

As you can see, Korton was not the first person to understand our world as a network of interrelated systems that function much like the human body and other ecological systems. But with this book Korton successfully assays the disease of our capitalist system, elucidates its causes (or etiology) and prescribes an appropriate treatment. In the truest sense of the word, Korten is here acting as a Ph.D (read, doctor) of economics, and capitalism -- as well as your mind and its metaphors -- are the patient.

True, the book does have a more "holistic" flavor, as one reviewer put it, but don't let that scare you away. The book has received unanimously high marks form all reveiwers. From consumers to CEOs, everyone profits from reading this book.

It would be difficult for any rational, curious, open-minded intellectual to disagree with Korten's position. The problem is that the vast majority of the world's population are not rational, curious, open-minded intellectuals. They want one-sentence definitions and convenient labels so that they can pretend to understand something that eludes them. Another major flaw: it is impossible to fight the overwhelmingly powerful establishment head-on. What we need is an alternative system for those of us who choose a better life...an alternative that does not threaten the status quo directly but gradually changes it from the inside out...one that requires no sacfifice and only benefit. Check out what the infobeings are doing to make this vision a reality.

A beautiful book, printed on heavy paper with wonderful photographs of the rescued dogs and their owners. Inspirational short stories that might make people go out and adopt a dog. This book would make a good gift for a dog lover. The stories are great and the book is well made.

This book truly captures the joy of adopting a rescue dog and the essence of dog ownership. The stories are beautiful and will touch your heart. As I read each story I found one similarity among the dogs and the people they found; both owners and dogs were appreciative and truly expressed how blessed they were to have found each other. I have 2 rescue dogs and 3 rescue cats and they all have brought so much joy to my life. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

The dogs' stories are very moving and inspirational, but anytime you have a book that takes stories from multiple people, there are always going to be some that just aren't that well written. I felt like that took away from the impact of the book.

This is a good book with lots of short stories about dogs given second chances

Every day we read about the horrible things people do to each other, to their children, and to animals. This book lifted my spirit by letting me know there are still some good people out there. There are still people who care about what happens to a poor stray dog, or an animal that is scheduled to die. They may be few, but they are out there.

My husband and I both read this book. Although the initial portion was a bit lengthy and exhaustive on the research and imperical data information, the dialogues between parents and children were amazing to read. It was so helpful to prepare for the possible questions that can come up and to find out how other parents responded to their children. We found it expecially interesting to analyze the types of issues that came up for the children adopted under the various circumstances. We both felt that this is imperative reading for any adoptive parents in preparing to be as open and comfortable discussing the topic of their child's adoption with the child. . .and to learn about the various issues that can present themselves at the most unexpected moments. A must-read for any adoptive parent who wants to feel prepared to make his or her child feel reassured and confident about his adoption.

If you wish some help in how to open conversations on adoption, then this is a good book and it has many examples to see how things may vary with each child and helps to choose what is right for your child.

This book could be great if it was edited better. It had some good points but you have to wade through all the words to figure out what they are trying to say. I did enjoy the personal stories on how real people have talked with their children about adoption.

It's good, but it could have been so much better.

I couldn't disagree more with the comment below that this was written by "some over-educated women with too much time on their hands." Actually, I know one of the authors (I used to babysit her three wonderful adopted daughters). I found the book consistent with my experience of her: as a dedicated, sensitive, gentle mother who cares deeply about her children and wants to help adoptive parents learn both from the research about adoption and our personal experiences as adoptive parents. This book is a gem!

I have spoken to many adoptive parents over the years and without fail, I always recommend this book. It is a true gem in adoption literature. I found the research appendix at the back fascinating--the authors give findings from adoptees perceptions of adoption from age three to teens. Written by adoptive moms who are also professionals in the mental health field, it is a book that should be on the bookshelf of every parent and professional.

This book is so good I read it in two days. I could not put it down. I can't help but think about the Bible verse, Romans 8:28, after finishing this book. Truly, God has worked out all the things that happened to Michael in his life for his good, and now Michael is allowing God to use his experiences for the good of others. What a testimony!!! I was touched by the transparency of Michael --- he made me laugh (the story about the nun throwing erasers) and he brought me to tears (almost forgetting to hug his Dad during a visit to see him). One of the things that spoke to me the most is the perspective he gives on healing. I think that many times we think that healing means we will not experience pain, but Michael describes quite the opposite in his book. It is clear that God has healed him from the harmful effects of his past experiences, but also clear that he still feels pain from them. Michael demonstrates that one of the reasons God allows us to still feel the pain and still be healed is so that we can share in the sufferings of others who are going through similar experiences. I encourage anyone who wants to read a story of how Jesus Christ truly redeemed a man and how we can "redeem" others to read this one.

Michael Reagan writes from a child's perspective here. He details traumas that he suffered as a child including adoption, molestation, the divorce of his parents, and boarding school.

Although he is in his 50s now, he is still affected by childhood events, particularly the molestation. During the course of his life he has engaged in high risk behaviors and had suicidal thoughts stemming from his experiences.

It took decades, but he finally found redemption through his relationship with Christ. His wife was a major player in helping him overcome this as well.

This book would be good to read for those who have experienced some of the issues mentioned above. Additionally, I think it would help to provide great insights for adoptive parents, all parents, and those who work with children. I also recommend it for anyone who likes to read an inspirational story of the redemptive power of Jesus in one's life.

One of the most important publications in recent years. It not only helps with the survival aspects of molestation and abuse but also alerts adults how to recognize preditory behavior in caregivers, teachers, etc.

Michael has exposed a raw edge of hurt in himself and also shared healing. Bless him for his courage!

Well I hope Christ is nicer to Michael than Ronnie was. Ronnie once famously asked which one is mine when visiting Michael at camp, not knowing which of the boys was his adopted son. Presumably on the day of judgement Christ won't ask Michael "Which one are you?"... I've always cut Michael some slack despite his pandering conservative views and his seemingly insatiable thrist to milk his connection to his father for every last dime he can hustle. And in a way it is refreshing to see Michael still throwing himself at Ronnie's cowboy boots even after his passing. Then again there are still dollars to be made which brings us back to this book. The sob story presented here is not without genuine sobs, but I found it all a tad tragic that here is this abandonded boy still trying to win some acceptance from Dad - be it his earthly one or God - and that his method of winning that acceptance is to live on his knees instead of his own two feet. Hopefully Michael's next volume will be when he finds his own voice and his own manhood.

Michael Reagan writes the kind of autobiography one would expect from a radio talk show host -- part soul-bearing, part diatribe. This is not a particularly well written book, so don't wait around for the Pulitzer, but it's a quick read so you won't hate yourself for having spent the time reading it. It it is a heartfelt account of a man who has finally battled his demons and come to peace with his place in life. Along the way, Reagan uses his story as a jumping off point to talk about social issues (divorce, pornography, etc.). His story is interesting for fans of his father, a little insight into the family history and a sympathetic portrayal of two parents (Ron & Jane) who did their best to raise a troubled kid. Mike also shares a clear story of his commitment to Jesus Christ and the huge difference that has made in his life story.

I was pleased to see that this is back in print, but disappointed when I received my copy and discovered that the little drawings Sallie included in her letters have been left out.

I am a fan of Judy Abbott and Daddy Long Legs, but I loved Sallie's letters more! Judy asks her to be the superintendent of the John Grier Home. And Sallie puts her reforms into the practice. The book is consist of Sallie's letters to Judy, to the asylum's doctor, and to her boyfriend. I find this red haired, fierce, Irish girl Sallie and her letters very exciting , funny and humorous. I enjoyed this book a lot, also it is nice to learn somethings more about Judy and Jervis's wedded life.

Judy Abbot, the heroine of Webster's DADDY LONG-LEGS, has purchased her "alma mater," the unhappy John Grier Orphanage, and places it into the hands of her college roommate, Sallie McBride. Sallie considers herself as flibbertigibbet and arrives at the school with her pet chow dog and a personal maid, determined to stay only a few months until she can marry her fiancé, an up-and-coming young lawyer/politician. However, Judy is wiser about Sallie than she is about herself, and Sallie grows to love her position, releasing the children from the browbeating institutional regime that they have previously followed and devising all sorts of new schemes like camps for the older boys that will help the children when they eventually go out into the world.

Sallie also runs afoul of the orphanage's dour physician, a Scotsman named Robin MacRae, but as the story progresses, they become each other's ally as well as antagonist (it is from her salutations to him in letters that the title of the book derives).

The book contains, unfortunately, the unsettling and bigoted theories of eugenics as practiced in the early part of the 20th century. It's a bit startling and depressing today to hear college-educated adults like Sallie and Dr. MacRae talking about heredity as something that overwhelmes upbringing, so that an alcoholic's child will always need institutionalizing because he will "naturally" crave alcohol, and watching Sallie sending handicapped children away to asylums because they don't belong with "normal" children. But this was the prevalent attitude at the time, and it doesn't keep Sallie or MacRae from actually breaking from the trends of the time. In particular, there is a girl named Loretta who is what we would call today "mentally challenged." Instead of banishing her to an asylum, Sallie sends her to live with a kindly farm family who basically act like one of today's residential homes for people with Down syndrome. Loretta is treated kindly, blooms into a happy young woman, and learns to do many things rather than spending the rest of her life rocking back and forth in an institution.

With all the eugenics twaddle disposed of, what a great story is left: spoiled college socialite finds a social conscience and career, helps children, and eventually finds love with a man who has had some tough times in his life. There is a appealing subplot about three children who have just become orphaned, and a couple want to adopt just the little girl, not her older brothers. Sallie and MacRae quarrel because she at first thinks having the little girl adopted without her brothers would be an accomplishment, but as the doctor protests, Sallie must weigh breaking up the siblings, who are very close, or losing the little girl a good home where she will be given all advantages. Sallie also grows emotionally, becoming dissatisfied with her fiance who merely expects her to be ornamental.

A wonderful tale, told in a lively epistlatory format, with some heartbreaking moments.

It's nice to see the characters we all so appreciated in Daddy Long-Legs in a different context; I loved getting to know the characters better. It is true that some outdated concepts are presented in the book, but I think it's important to note that Jean Webster seems to question most of those concepts. The characters ultimately seek love over "suitability" and what's right over what's appropriate. Even the concept of eugenics is repeatedly questioned by the main character, who doesn't quite believe the hype but is willing to let a man of science "educate" her. Yes, the book is dated (as was its predecessor, to some extent), but the story and characters it contains are timeless.

Jean Webster is best known for the classic Daddy Long-Legs. While it is certainly a worthy little novel, I have always preferred Dear Enemy, its lesser-known sequel. Daddy Long-Legs is vanilla, sweet and smooth. Dear Enemy is more like mint chocolate chip, refreshing with nuggets of warmth, laughter, bittersweetness. You will be enchanted by the fiery-haired Sallie McBride and her orphans.

Sallie has been asked by her college buddy, the Judy Abbott of Daddy Long-Legs, to run the John Grier Home, the orphanage Judy was raised in. A cheerful and unabashed socialite waiting for her Congressman boyfriend to propose, Sallie takes on the job on a temporary basis. Armed with her sense of humor and her firm brightness, along with her maid and her Chow doggie, she gets her heart stolen by the 100 sad-eyed charges.

The book is modeled after Daddy Long-Legs, so it is entirely composed of Sallie's stick-figure-illustrated letters to Judy, Gordon (the boyfriend), and the Home's prickly visiting doctor, whose letters are soon addressed "Dear Enemy." Her letters catalogue her daily adventures with the sweet, colorful kids, a series of cooks and farmers, sexist trustees, and grumpy neighbors. In all of this, there sparkles a strong feminine spirit, blithe optimism, and clear-headed compassion. The letters read so naturally and sure, Sallie's charm radiates whether she is amusing us with a story of orphan mischief or seriously discussing the consequences of hereditary alcoholism. The pace of the novel also clips along due to the relative shortness of the epistolary style.

As beguiling as the characters and story is, there are drawbacks that date the work (written in the 1910's) with its references to inherited behavior, social expectations, and nationalist stereotypes. A historical context is important for those. The overall voice is strong enough to carry the worthwhile messages - particularly, forging a future and identity for girls. I recommend this highly. There are books that you return to time and time again to comfort, entertain, and enlighten you - this is one of those I have treasured from my childhood. They need to bring this one back in print!

I really enjoyed reading this book.
I took it on my holiday and it was great to read by the pool.
I could put it down and then come back and get engaged in the story lines.
It was interesting and held my curiosity until the very end.

I read a lot. I like mysteries. This was an awful book. The story was unbelievable, overly dramatic and silly. Before I bought this book, I read all the reviews and they were all 5 stars but this is not a five-star book. It is a disservice to those who rely on the reviews of others before buying to allow this book to get excellent reviews from everyone. I would rate this book as a 9th grade level book... for the simplistic plot and for the boredom level for an adult.

This book was written no doubt to prey on adoptees and birth parents who are eager to read almost anything about adoption.

Evil Exchange by Lori Paris and Joe Soll is a gripping, well written, provocative novel that grabs you from start to finish. This intriguing, suspenseful mystery takes the reader on one man's journey in search of self and his roots, aided by a private eye, that puts him directly on a collision course with an FBI investigation of a baby selling ring, and events that will change his life forever. This fictional work is cleverly crafted with fascinating characters and an interesting plot, yet it gives the reader a glimpse of the real life, burning, inner feelings of an adoptee's need to know where he began while educating the reader about the horrors of the crime of baby selling, which shockingly still occurs to this day. This book is fast paced, enjoyable, educational and a must read. You will not want to put it down!

I was riveted from start to finish!!!! It was awesome. The characters were so relatable and so likeable. Except of course the Mule, Sheila, the Doc and Nardo!!!!

I was blown away by the touching "adoption revelations" through-out the book. Being an adoptee, I have discovered that these feelings of abandonment and loss have affected me my whole life. Every time I read Diana, Todd and the other members of the adoption group discovering and uncovering their feelings about being adopted it was like an "aha" moment for me. Many of these feelings go across the board and I believe this story will touch many people in the same way it touched me. We are not alone! :)

All of this mixed in with the mystery, intrigue and unfortunate realization that this has and does actually happen, combines to make for a winning combination and a great all around read. I recommend it highly!

Evil Exchange, by Lori Paris and Joe Soll, is a fast moving fictional account of some of the horrors that can take place in adoption. Lori and Joe, have managed to weave a tangled web that is filled with mystery, suspense, truth and laced it with humor. Those of us who have been affected by adoption, will find their fictional account of black market baby selling disturbing and sad. We will understand the feelings and thoughts of the main character, Todd Walters, as he makes a decision to search for his first mother. The emotions that are described are those that have been felt by all of us searching adoptees, who are honest with ourselves. The need to know who our mother is, the need to know the true story of what happened, and that fear of what we may find. Without being 'preachy', the reader also learns the need for support and preparation for those of us embarking on this journey.

The reader will learn how a Black Market baby selling rings works, the money involved is staggering, and the lengths the criminal mind will go to disturbing.

Even though 'Evil Exchange' can be a quick read, I found myself having to put it down because of the emotions it brought up for me. I recommend it as a refreshingly truthful, though fictionalized account of how twisted life is for those adopted.