Adoption Books

Our adopted daughter was eager to read and "do" the Forever Fingerprints book she received as a gift. What I didn't expect was the eagerness of her brother to join in as the three of us used the accompanying pad to stamp and examine our fingerprints. The message was loud and clear--we're all unique and yet we share so much in common.

I also appreciated the natural weaving in of important truths about how babies grow and are born. Being adopted is a way of entering a family--but we're all born the same way.

The pictures are great--and the focus on hands instead of faces makes the book even more intriguing as well as inclusive. It's not a book about a particular kind of adoption--it's about a girl who is adopted and could be any girl.

This book will be wonderful to revisit and to share.

We bought this book for our newly adopted granddaughter who is now 17 months old. Someday this book will have special meaning to her as she grows and realizes that she is adopted and wonders who her real parents are. The book brought a very special realization to me, and I know it will to her when she is older.

We recently used the book Forever Fingerprints when a young child was being placed with his new adoptive family. His birth mother and adoptive mother read him the book and then both he and his birth mother made their finger/hand prints on the paper that was provided. It was a very touching moment.

Sherrie, the author, was kind and personally inscribed two books, one for the child, and one for his birth mother. They both have copies of the fingerprints taken that day.

This book is a wonderful way to support children in respecting their biological roots. It is appropriate for use in entrustment ceremonies.

Thank you Sherrie for writing this beautiful book.

Forever Fingerprints stops the story too soon, when it could go on and talk about everyone being unique and special. My 3-year-old likes it just because it is a book being read to her. Would have liked more for a good ending.

This is a cute story with some truth behind the story and an easy way to explain to an adoptive child how they are connected to their birth parents. Our 7 year old enjoyed the book and loves to read. I did find the story written more for a young child as it's too silly for me and a little bit silly for our serious 7 year old.

This book was truly life-changing for me. I am a strong democrat and I have always been supportive of human rights & issues related to the left. I have always seen race as inconsequential. It doesn't matter what you look like, but what you do with your life. However, after reading this book, I have come to realize that there are big differences in the black and white cultures. It is much harder for black people than I imagined. Story after story in this book has convinced me of that. I am in the process of adoption and am open to adopting a child of a different race. I have now been enlightened that, in so doing, I must seek out people & churches of that child's race who can help them learn about their culture. I must read books, take classes, & educate myself about our child's culture. I must celebrate the race of my child by cooking their food, celebrating their holidays, & teaching them about the famous people of their culture from the past & the present. I recommend that anyone who adopts transracially do the same & to read this book and others on transracial adoption. Your child's self-esteem and future depends on it.

This is an good book and probably should be manditory for parents wanting to adopt transracially. That said, it is a tough read and not just because of content. It is much more accademically written than many other adoption books. It is denser and it is long. The interviews focus a great deal on the debate over whether or not minorities should allow white people to adopt minority children. There is much less discussion of any realistic alternatives and there is very little in the way of practical suggestions for making the lives of children who are - like it or not - transracially adopted. So, it could have been better and more practically helpful to parents, but I think perhaps the interviews are more directed at and relevant for adult transracial adoptees who can find connection and mutual understanding in them. And the fact is that if you are considering transracial adoption and you can't handle the attitude of this book, then you almost certainly won't be able to handle living with the attitudes of society about your choice. So, it should still be manditory.
-A.F.

This book is important for adoptees, adoptive parents and grandparents, as well as others who are loving and parenting across racial lines. While this is not a "how to" book, it is clear from the adoptees' stories what they believe their adoptive parents did well and what they wish their adoptive parents had done differently. It stresses the difficult issues but also reflects that transracial adoption can and does work. It helps parents to understand the importance of nurturing a relationship between the adoptive family and the adoptees' ethnic communities.

As a parent that adopted a child who is a miniority (not African American, but Asian) I have gained a lot of insight from an adoptee's perspective. I would recommend this book to an parent considering or currently raiaisng a child of a different race.

The book is divided into:
1) A brief section on the academic research and political arguments on transracial adoption, written by a social science researcher; and
2) Interviews with women and men, conducted by an adult transracial adoptee; all interviews are with black Americans

As a potential adoptive parent, I found the book informative, particularly in how the interviewees reconciled their identities. Some interviewees have experienced severe identity issues exacerbated by adoption, some of their stresses were similar to challenges that most black people face in the U.S., and some of the interviewees don't seem to have had race or adoption be much of a hurdle in their lives. A common recommendation that interviewees make is that white parents of black children should make sure that their children have black peers--even if those peers are also transracially adopted--and that the children will long to be connected with black culture at some point so connecting them with the culture associated with their racial background from the beginning makes the most sense.

My main criticism is that the interviewer inserts her life and interests into the discussions so much that her leading questions make you wonder what people would have said if the interviewer had been able to be more neutral. There also is not much of a discussion of how the women interviewed seem to have much more in the way of identity issues overall than do the men. Does this mean that black males have an easier time raised by white parents than do females? This contrasts with my understanding that, overall, black women have an easier time being successful in school and later in the job market than do black men, for reasons of culture and discrimination.

The book missing sisters was a very enjoyable book for it dealt with real life situations. i would recommend it to people aged 12-15 years old for some of the language is very difficult. i would rate this book 9 out of 10 because it had a slow start and a kind of unfinished ending. we did it as a class novel and everybody seemed to really enjoy it!

Missing Sisters is a book you'll never want to put down!It's a story that will relate to someone who's been adopted or has lost someone.We read it as a class novel and the majority of the class enjoyed it. I'd recommend it to all girls over the age eleven who enjoy a classical touching tale. By the way don't bother reading this book if you're a boy, because as the title says MISSING SISTERS it's more a feminine story!
By Rebecca and Fiona Ireland)

This story is about two sisters who were seperate at birth .and thy later found each other.enjoyable

Missing Sisters is a book you'll never want to put down!It's a story that will relate to someone who's been adopted or has lost someone.We read it as a class novel and the majority of the class enjoyed it. I'd recommend it to all girls over the age eleven who enjoy a classical touching tale. By the way don't bother reading this book if you're a boy, because as the title says MISSING SISTERS it's more a feminine story!
By Rebecca and Fiona Ireland)

MIssing Sisters is set in America in 1968. The main character is Alice Colossus. Alice is an orphan in the Sacred Heart Home for Girls. Alice has no known siblings or parents until one day at summer camp she was mistaken for a girl by the name of Miami Shaw. Alice wants to know if this girl holds the key to finding her real parents. Read the book to find out.
We really enjoyed the book. The storyline is interesting. It's unputdownable yet it stays realistic.
I'd recommend this book to anyone aged 11 to 13 because some of the language is quite difficult and anyone younger probably wouldn't understand it.

The "Other Sister" is a book one cannot easily forget.

S.T.Underdahl delivers the story in an easy-to read, charismatic voice, and offers a front seat view to the staggering amount of emotions families come face to face with when dealing with adoption.

The reader cannot help falling in love with Josey, the young girl whose life is quickly turned upside down when she learns of Audrey, her "other sister" who was separated from the family at birth. Through Josey's words, one is quickly absorbed in the intricate pattern of emotions both families must deal with, and learns that one's perception can easily shift if considered from a different point of perspective.

"The Other Sister" is a touching, delightful read, sure to capture the hearts of all; it's an inspiring story of inner struggle finally overcome which will transport the reader on an amazing journey of hope and sisterly love.

An amazing story that keeps one very interested throughout. The characters have a way of pulling you into their world and put you in their shoes. Definitely a great read for anyone.

Reviewed by Jessica Clark (age 17) for Reader Views (6/07)

The main character of this book is a teenager named Josey. Josey's life could be defined as normal; she has great friends and deals with school, gossip, boys, and dances. She loves her parents and both her brothers, even when they annoy her. But Josey's world is turned upside down when she finds out that her parents have been keeping an enormous secret. Josey has now found out that she has an older sister who is 25 and wants to get in touch with her parents. Josey now feels awkward around her own family and even her friends. After letters coming and going for weeks, a meeting is arranged. All Josey has heard is about how much she, and her sister Audrey, are alike and now she has to meet this complete stranger. After an awkward meeting and a horrible departure Josey is not sure how she feels anymore. Josey's parents decide it's best if she spends a weekend alone with Audrey. Josey reluctantly goes and is amazed at what she finds out about her new sister.

My opinion of "The Other Sister" is that it's a good read, but it was lacking in connection for the reader. The main character came off as selfish, and for a teenager, seemed way too in control. The story was well-written, but felt dry in some aspects. After the abrupt ending, there is an epilogue that leaves way too many questions. The epilogue was actually more of some good guidelines for a second book. Over all this was a good book.

The Other Sister
S.T. Underdahl. Minnesota: Woodbury, 2007. 248 pp. $8.95.
ISBN 978-0-7387-0933-8

What if everything you thought about your own family was a big, fat lie? This thought springs into the mind of fifteen-year-old Josey after her parents reveal a secret that could change her life forever. Everyone hopes that they have a normal family with very little or no secrets among them, and for Josey Muller, it seemed like she had that life. She has a Mother and a Father who love her and two brothers, who at times drive her crazy, care for her too. We are greeted with a cover of The Other Sister, with the word other out of place in a black hole. This other is significant and highlights the beginning of Josey's discoveries.
Fifteen-year-old Josey Muller is the only daughter of Anne and Bill Muller. Or at least that is what she thinks until her Mother springs the news that she has an older sister. Audrey Merriday is ten years older than Josey and was born while Josey's parents were in High School. Their parents forced them to put her up for adoption merely only a minute after being born. Audrey has now contacted her mother through an adoption agency and her Mom is more excited and happy than Josey has ever seen her.
For Josey Muller, this is not pretend...it is her life. Suddenly she's not the only daughter, and sister of her two brothers. This girl Audrey, her older sister, is all her parents can talk about. She wants to be in high spirits like her Mom, but how is she supposed to be thrilled when her entire world has gone topsy-turvy? Is it possible that she could ever enjoy having a sister? "I hoped I wasn't going to start passing out whenever anyone referred to Audrey as a member of the family, like some kind of post-hypnotic suggestion" (121). Josey feels displaced that her parents are ecstatic and her brothers are adjusting fairly well. She is no longer the only girl. She is no longer the middle child. She is now the other daughter, and she is not quite sure how to act around the newfound sister.
A Theme that progresses throughout the book is `Don't judge a book by its cover'. The book stands close to that saying in a way that Josey is learning not to make assumptions without fully knowing about the circumstances. Getting to know Audrey not only as a person, but also as a sister is going to be difficult for the whole family, particularly Josey, but she can't get carried away with judgments that she isn't equip to make.
The only way Josey can deal with these occurrences is to take a step back and truly see not only how she feels but also how her sister feels. There are two parts to every story and Josey just needs to step out of the box and take an outlook from Audrey's shoes. By Josey worrying about how the situation was affecting her family, and most of all herself, she was forgetting that Audrey was left dangling between two families. Will Josey give the situation a chance?
Tender and heartfelt, The Other Sister is brimming with emotion. Josey's struggle to cope with news and find her place is easy to relate to. Even though she does come off selfish and for a teenager, way in control, but I think it's a teenager's nature to pretend to be that way. And although some ideas don't get through as easily as expected, it causes you to be thinking in Josey's shoes, you are caught in the act of laughing and crying with Josey. Relatable and eye-opening, The Other Sister gives readers a chance to see behind the scenes of adoption reunions.

Everyone hopes that they have a normal family with very little or no secrets among them, and for Josey Muller, it seemed like she had that life. She had a mother and father who loved her and two brothers who, although they can sometimes drive her crazy, care for her, too. But then Josey's life turns upside down when her parents tell her that her brothers aren't the only siblings that Josey has.

Josey also has a much older sister, Audrey, the daughter that her parents had to put up for adoption, hoping that she would get a better life. Audrey is getting married and thought that this would be the perfect chance to find her birth parents and possibly even meet up with them. At first Josey is perfectly fine with the whole ordeal; that is, until the day she will finally get to see her sister draws near, and the entire situation becomes all too real for her.

Josey's entire life that she was so used to was officially going to change. She wasn't going to be the only daughter and sister in her family, and her parents are beginning to forget about how she feels. What's worse is how Josey's dream of becoming a psychologist has already been accomplished by her older sister, which only makes Josey feel inferior to Audrey.

The only way Josey can deal with these occurrences is to take a step back and truly see not only how she feels but also how her sister feels. But will Josey give this situation a chance?

THE OTHER SISTER was completely real and meaningful. Having Josey as the main character just gives the book the perfect tone it needs to truly capture the essence that a teenager would feel when something unexpected pops up in their life. A very unique story with an ending that was surprising and perfectly written, THE OTHER SISTER was a great debut from S. T. Underdahl.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankryn" Nguyen

This does a good job of covering the material it is intended to cover.

This book offers the >HIGHLIGHTS< of the GNU programming tools. E.g. Makefiles are covered by this book, but you wouldn't find all details of make in this book.

So, this is a really nice book, to get you started with the GNU Toolchain, but don't expect to see all ins and outs in this book of every topics.

It's a nice started book, but you also need to buy a specialized book of the topics you want to pay special attention.

This book collects all the little tidbits of info concerning compiling, writing make files, debugging and more into a hand reference book. It is good for people who know C/C++, but don't know the Un*x toolset.

What I love about this book is that it covers subjects that you run into all the time in unix but none of my other books say much about. For example the link editor, libraries, c command line options. In particular I like the sections on gdb and gprof. Super useful. The intro has a section on unix and setting up your environmental variables, another neglected topic. The only section that didn't interest me is the section on emacs since I am a vi guy. But, it doesn't hurt to have it either... In sum, if you are a true UNIX guru, you may already know all this stuff, but, if you are an aspiring guru, like myself, this is pure gold.

The book collects the information usually scattered in different places.It covers the following tools: gcc, emacs, gdb, make, rcs, gprof. The explanation is pretty clear, necessary examples are given.

What I don't like in this book: too many words about benefits of free software, probably more technical topics and details would be more useful. E.g. the chapter about 'make' even doesn't mention pattern rules. I'd like also to see a section devoted to CVS. The level of details is good for an introductory course but is not sufficient for a reference book.

RESUME: if you are new to GNU tools and going to use them on a regular basis this book will help you, otherwise skip it.

I bought this book initially for my nieces and nephew who were preschool age at the time of my adoption. I wanted to help them understand a single woman becoming a mom AND adoption I also bought it for my son (and created a red blanket for him). I've since bought a copy for a couple I know who are pursuing a Chinese adoption (and mailed it to them with a red blanket). It's a great story and easy to understand for a wide age range.

I thought the book was really cute. I guess it is geared for single moms...b/c there was no dad included??

Not one our favorite China adoption stories, it is ok but does not really keep my daughter's attention and I find it a little mediocre too.

As one of the hundreds of single women who traveled to China and
adopted ,my daughter and I relate to this book. I tell her
that this was also the story of her and I only our blanket was white.

I love this book! I purchased it as a gift for a 3 year old adopted from China when she was 10 months old and her single mother. She is at the age when she is asking questions about family and it's important for her to see herself represented in media. The only part i didn't like was that the mother 'felt empty' even though she had a nice home, a dog, etc and that's why she adopted. That idea is a little tricky for a youngster who needs to not feel they are there to take care of their parent. The rest of the messege of the book is quite wonderful and worth it.

tracy beaker is my fantasy book of my whole childhood starting from 5 years old,im 10 now and just cant stop reading it.Im going to give it five stars because it has loads of exiting words and the text is smashing.i cant seem too work out though why the author sometimes puts in words and they says the oppisitething for example she writes tracy beaker likes dogs and then she dont.

I admire jaqueline willsons books especially tracy beaker.I bet im a number 1 fan and the reason why is all i ever do is either sit down and read tracy beaker or sit on my inflatable sofa and look on the internet and read other peoples reviews on tracy beaker.


by courtney
phoenix class
yr6

Review by YMP, age 11:

This is another winner from Jacqueline Wilson. It is a wonderful story about a child named Tracy Beaker who has spent almost her whole life in Children's Care. Even if you haven't been in foster care before, you can relate to her experiences. She has troubles just like everybody(Read: Peter Ingham, a weedy little kid who thinks she is his friend just because they share a birthday, and Justine Littlewood, a nasty snitch who is mean to everybody except Tracy's ex-best friend) but not quite like everybody. The characters are well thought out and the ending, where you don't know if Cam will adopt her yet, leaves you asking for more. This book is good for adults who like a short, funny story or kids who like books about other kids (basically every kid). Myself, I didn't half like it.If you liked this book, try reading The Suitcase Kid, also by Jacqueline Wilson.I have only given it 4 stars, because Americans and Canadians might find it hard to get used to Tracy's British vocabulary.
--YMP

This book is fun and very easy to read and a little bit sad at the same time. It's the story of a girl named Tracy who hates almost everybody around her, but she really loves her mom and wishes she would come pick her up from the children's home. She likes to think her mom is a Hollywood star. Tracy thinks she is the smartest girl and she's a little bit self-centered (I think you'll understand this from the book cover!). After she meets Cam, she starts to like other people.
I recommend this book for ages...I think any age will enjoy it!

The start of Tracy Beaker is a book which i recomend highly. Right from the begining of the book i have been hooked and wasnt able to put it down again. I dont read many books but this a book which i i enjoyed a lot. i recomend you all to read this book.

While I was in the library, walking down the various aisles, I saw this book, and thought that it was a little strange for a children's book. Curious as to what the story was about, I decided to take it. Once I started reading it, I just couldn't put this book down. I finished reading it entirely in one sitting. It is one of the best books that I feel I have read recently.

Tracy Beaker is a young girl who lives in a children's home. She tells us a little about her likes, dislikes, and other aspects of her personality before the story starts. She hopes that her mother (who Tracy says is famous actress) will come one day and pick her up, and will share her adventures with Tracy. Until then, she decides to spend her time by writing her autobiography (which is what this book is all about). She writes down her bad experiences in the foster homes that she lived in, her rivalry with Justine Littlewood, and her silly friendship with Peter Ingham, among other things.

Jacqueline Wilson did a wonderful job in writing this book. Since this is the first book that I had read of hers, I feel tempted to read her other works. She portrays the life of Tracy in different angles, and tells the story in such a humorous way that it just draws the readers and makes them feel for the character. Nick Sharratt drew cute illustrations that went well with the story. What made me enjoy this book more was the fact that it was told in a realistic way. It doesn't have the typical happy ending, but you feel satisfied and happy for Tracy in the end anyway. The language is simple, but I wouldn't advice children below 8 to read this book, as it contains quite a bit of profanity.

"The story of Tracy Beaker" is funny, emotional, and told in a unique way, and I would recommend anyone, adult or child, to pick up a copy and read it.

Adoption: Uncharted Waters... a fascinating and sometimes chilling depiction of how profoundly the experience of having lost one's mother can impact some adoptees. This is an important piece of literature that should be in the library of anyone who counsels or even loves an adoptee.

David Kirschner, Adoption: Uncharted Waters (Juneau Press, 2006)

I should probably start off by saying that this is not a book you really want to read if you're in the process of adopting at the time. Kirschner, a psychologist and expert witness in the field of Adopted Child Syndrome, looks at a number of case studies of adopted kids who kill, according to Kirschner, because they're adopted. Not a light and fluffy book by any means.

I will admit right up front that my prejudice against this book stems in large part from the fact that I am adopted myself, and that despite Kirschner's repeated emphasis that only a small portion of the subset of adopted children suffer from what he calls Adopted Child Syndrome, he seems to infer even more often that this "small subset" is much larger than we care to think. That said, I can't buy his initial premise here, which seems to stem from the old cliché that blood is thicker than water-- that we have some sort of paranormal, or preternatural, bond with blood relatives. When children are placed for adoption, so the hypothesis goes, a psychic wound is created, and if it is not properly cared for, the adopted child can develop Adopted Child Syndrome, which can lead to your becoming the next David Berkowitz or Joel Rifkin (both of whom were adopted, of course).

Sorry, not buying it; family is those you choose to be with, not those you're stuck with thanks to heredity. In fact, I think that, aside from the fearmongering aspects, it's likely this book does more harm than good to its own cause; by continuing to perpetuate this idiotic "blood is thicker than water" idea, it also perpetuates the unconscious prejudice in the minds of those who still believe it, and thus furthers the continuing stigma of adoption (which Kirschner explicitly states he's trying to break down). In a society where the laws are still very clearly prejudiced against adoption, so we need more of it? Of course we don't.

Now that I've gotten all that out of the way, I will say that, divorced from its core premise, it's not a bad read. I'm a sucker for both case-study books and serial killers, and so there was a good deal of interesting reading here about some lesser-known cases. Even considering that, however, there is that ludicrous core premise, so take this book with as much salt as necessary. **

Using extreme examples, Kirschner forces us to face up to issues that potentially affect all adoptees. These are riveting tales, about murderers and parricides, about awful deeds, but ultimately they're about the pain of rejection, abandonment, and exclusion, and what they can do to a child already in distress. A great read, and a good introduction to Kirschner's breakthrough work on Adopteed Child Syndrome.

Adoption: Uncharted Waters... a thoughtful, provocative, and well written book about adoptees who kill. David Kirschner accurately presents the psychological world of adopted people. His book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand what sows the seeds of violence in some of them. - Joe Soll, LCSW - psychotherapist, author of "Evil Exchange" and "Adoption Healing... a path to recovery."

Uncharted Waters is chilling and compelling and an important contribution to those interested in adoption. It invites its readers to explore the abysmal pit of worst-case scenario adoptions in terms of harm caused by adoptees as opposed to to them.

Why go there? What is Kirschner's purpose in dredging up these tales horrendous true crimes and the criminals who committed them? Is he a bleeding heart seeking to exonerate murderers by testifying on their behalf and writing their stories?

No more and no less than many have done in other similar situations: explore violent deviant behaviors that fit a pattern in an effort to find a causal connection that could be remediated. Writing with understanding and compassion, for those who committed heinous acts as well as society, Dr. Kirschner's goal is to prevent future pain and suffering.

Did adoption make them do it? No more than high school created the Columbine slaughters. Did secrets and lies about their origins, and feelings of abandonment contribute? Yes, just as teasing and taunting did for the Columbine shooters.

While the initial separation at birth - the "primal wound" is perhaps the foundation of creating Kirschner's identified cluster of behaviors known as Adopted Child Syndrome, it is clear that it is the conscious knowing of having been "given away" - rejected - that is at the heart of adoption pain and angst, and that it is exacerbated by secrets and lies about the reason for this early abandonment.

Yet, most adoptees deal with it all in socially acceptable ways: denial, people pleasing, rejecting-avoidance behaviors, self-directed anger/depression, or mild acting out within - or just pushing the limits of - legal and social limits.

So what makes some go "over the edge" into a dissociative disorder - the basis of his testimony in all the cases - not ACS? Kirschner is very much a realist and clearly agrees with Sarnoff Medick, whom he quotes as saying: "Natural-born killer may be created when both nature and nurture conspire to rob infants of two fundamental birthrights: a loving mother and a normal brain."

In each of the case studies in this book adoptees lost their first mothers. A few spent time in foster care and suffered an additional abandonment experience early in life. One was physically and emotionally abused. Four had the added burden of a biological sibling. One had an adopted sibling who was successfully reunited. Most experienced feelings of rejection in their dating and/or married lives. Two experienced having a child of theirs aborted (one had two girlfriends abort). One experienced the death of a parent - by suicide - another abandonment/rejection creating experience.

But the one common denominator of all of these adopted men whose rage turned to murder was the fact that all were lied to outright or by omission about their original parents and the reason they were relinquished fro adoption, and all had their adoption loss issues invalidated and ignored by family and professionals.

The lies, coupled with dissociative fantasizing about who their mothers were, and thus who they were...festered their anger into rage that erupted in one or many acts of murder. The taking of life...by those who felt that part of their lives were taken from them.

I was aware of murderous adoptees and Kirschner's work in the late 80's and wrote about both in The Dark Side of Adoption.

I read Uncharted Waters now, not just from the perspective as one interested in all things adoption, nor as an objective researcher and writer. I read it as the mother of a child who took out her murderous rage out on herself and noted that one of the commonalities in these case studies was suicidal ideation and/or attempts.


Kirschner points out several times that it is a sub-set of adoptees who suffer from Adopted Child Syndrome and only a sub-set of these who murder. I would think it a tremendous contribution to adoption literature for Dr. Kirschner to write another book about all the other ways ACS affects adoptees, other than turning them into murderers. The untold many - for which there are no statistics - who turn their rage inward, many of whom are written off as "accidents."

The final chapters on prevention and treatment are important and useful, but alas fell short of recommending open adoption and concrete help provided for clients suffering with a great passionate need to know. In each case in which Kirschner became involved after the fact of a violent crime, he demanded the defense search for the birth families, yet absence if the suggestion of search as a tool of prevention and treatment. The other missing piece is any mention of CUB or any indication that the vast majority of reunions are welcoming, even when stating: "Even a `bad' reunion in these [after the fact of a murder] cases, chancing a second rejection by the birth mother, would have been extremely helpful and therapeutic..." I have conducted searches on behalf of adoptive parents who saw their adolescent child's desperation. Concern that a rejection might cause further harm, can be alleviated by conducting the search and contact without his/her knowledge to test the water for acceptance.

This shortcoming aside, the book - as Kirschner's work - is a valuable contribution and is recommended reading.

Mirah Riben, author "shedding light on...The Dark Side of Adoption" (1988) and "The STORK MARKET: America's Multi-Billion Dollar Unregulated Adoption Industry" (2007)

i dont think you will find a better book on adoption....ive read two dozen book in preparation for an adoption of a pre-teen. ive passed this book along to two friends that work within the system. a must read. i was also left with a better understanding of my own process. GREAT job!

A great book. Explained a lot of behavior that I did not recognize and/or understand that my son has exhibted. He was adopted at 3 months old. He is now 16 years old, still clingy to me and always wants to know where I am and when I was coming home. He has always preferred to stay in a dark room, door closed, and alone. My son is now enrolled with a therapist that specializes in adoption. After the first meeting, my son began to show major signs of depression. I am scared and concerned, but the therapist and our neuropsychologist both suggested that the demon(s) are finally coming out, and my son now needs to see a psychiatrist for potential treatment with anti-depressants. Read the book, it alerts you with experiences and events that may well be happening to your child. The book is a great reference "manual" for me.

this book is helpful and draws the correct conclusions and spells out the issues..as adoptive parent I think that reading what another adoptive parent has written is very credible...they have been there....no one could understand the issues of adoptive parent of a teen or pre teen unless they have done it...it is so intense...the child will try to re enact lost stages of childhood and preschool years...and grow into a full fledged teen at the same time...you will live with preshooler and adult child all in the same day...but the hurt and anger comes from abandonment and mistreatment...and on this note the author got it 100% right....the book could have been shorter and more to the point...but underl;ying message is accurate.

For parents adopting older children this book keys in on the major issues facing children who are wrestling with the adoption experience. (Children adopted at any age may experience some of these issues, but the likelihood of adoption related behavioral, academic and social problems during the teen years increases when a child is adopted at an older age). The book explains six major hurdles for adolescents who were adopted. It also focuses on issues parents may experience in coping with their children's adoption related issues. Though written primarily for mental health professionals who provide psychotherapy to children by adoption, parents will also find this a useful, readable text. The only negative critique of Beneath the Mask is that it makes it seem like all the major problems experienced by adopted kids during their teen years are because of the adoption. For many this may be the case, but there are many other factors that trouble teenagers, regardless of whether they were adopted or not. That being said, the issues identified for both the teen and the parents are important. This book can open doors for parent-teen discussion around adoption related issues and help parents make informed decisions about when to seek professional help. I would not recommend this book to preadoptive parents of children age two and under.

As Debbie says in her preface, if you are a therapist who works with teenagers you are bound to work with adopted teens. Debbie offers sound advice for therapists and parents alike in navigating the sometimes turbulent waters of adopted teenagers.
As a therapist, parent of two teens, and author of "Survival Meditations for Parents of Teens," I heartily recommend Ms. Riley's book. My novel, RETURNABLE GIRL, addresses similar themes through fiction: a great parent/child read for discussions about these issues. Visit me at my website!

I adopted my daughter a little over a year ago and felt the comments in this book were very relevant. The various comments cross all boundries of race, age, and sex. This book supports families of all kinds and illustrates how precious family is. It also contains many great ideas of how to preserve the memories you are making with your child as well as illustrates how much of you your child will remember as they grow older. I recommend this book to all types of families.

Felt this book was a wonderful way for people to hear about the adoption stories that don't go wrong. Since I am one of the birthmother's in these stroies, it was important for me to see some representation that didn't make all birthparents out to be big monsters. Some are very caring individuals who only want what's best for their child. And I am one of those. Love you Peggy. Marie

This is a wonderful book. I had the pleasure of "meeting" one of the submitters in this book, Dayna, on-line while we both were waiting to travel to China to bring our Cardio-daughters home, her Joy & my Hope. Dayna has recently been bless with a Bio-child who she has named Faith.

There are many names that you will recognize in this book, including Magic Johnson, Mia Farrow, and many more from AOL's Adoption Forum, and from the China Adoption listserves: APC & PAC.

These stories will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your heart - a heart that carried our children, a heart that carried my Cardio-child Hope.

My husband and I have reached the end of our infertility journey and are seriously considering adoption. This book has been a real inspiration to me! I am buying several copies to give as gifts to friends who have already adopted. You realize when you read the book that the parents are "saved" just as much as the children by the experience of adoption. I just loved this book!

This book is full of very short, most just a page or a little more, happy adoption stories. After reading each little story I felt like, "Is that it?" I really wanted to know more. If you're looking for easy-light reading that will make you feel good, then this is the book for you. If you are interested in more indepth stories or issues surrounding adoption, then this book will probably disapoint you.