Editorial Review

Lynn C. Franklin's memoir of giving a child up for adoption and the relationship she developed with her son later in life examines the complexities of the adoption process--which seems to be lifelong. Franklin, who spoke to her son's father only once after the birth, was a typical unmarried mother of the 1960s. Her son, Andrew, approached her in 1993 and they met a scant month after their first contact. In her book, Franklin uses her feelings about and relationship to Andrew as particular examples in a larger survey of adoption.Read more

Reviews (11)

Compelling, and From the Heart
Poignant, timeless, and compelling, this book should be required reading for every young woman considering adoption and its likely consequences.

Recommended!!
A must read for any member of the adoption triad- or anyone who's life has been touched by adoption. Heartwarming!
As an adoptee fortunate enough to find her birthparents (and therefore being familiar with all aspects of the triad), I found Lynn C. Franklin's book excellent. I have read many books about adoption, this one outshines them all. It was not overly clinical or statistical and was written with compassion, heart and objectivity. Adoption is such a complex topic, this is not an accomplishment to be taken lightly. Ms. Franklin's candid personal reflections of the search for her son stirred emotions deep within this reader and in my opinion brings greater understanding to everyone who has been touched by adoption or is interested in the subject. She gives voice to birthparents, adoptees and adoptive parents and their struggles with depth and kindness and backs it up with facts and experience. I am grateful to her for her efforts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family Relationships    5. Family/Marriage    6. Family & Relationships / Adoption    7. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (1)

Essential information
This book gave much basic information on the hands on issues of foster parenting.Very much the easiest read with the most essential information I have found to date.
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Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Human Services    6. Reference    7. Social welfare & social services   

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Psychological aspects    3. Psychology    4. Psychotherapy - General    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - General    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology   

Reviews (2)

Compassionate ideas
I found Elizabeth Bartholet's view of parenting to be thoughtful, intelligent and compassionate.As the birth mother of one, this book made me want to consider adoption as a compassionate way to expand my family -- even without fertility problems as the motivation.

Family Bonds
If you're an adoptee or birthmother, don't waste your money on this narrow-minded view of adoption.Bartholet has little to say about birthmothers!When she does mention birthmothers, she seems to view them as inconsequential baby machines.No empathy in this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoption And Adoption Services    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Human Services    5. Intercountry adoption    6. Law and legislation    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. United States    10. Family & Relationships / Adoption   

Reviews (7)

a less aggressive, but still enjoyable, second book
"The Exact Same Moon" is the sequel to "Fifty Acres and a Poodle" (however, you can enjoy it without having read its predecessor).In the first book, Jeanne Marie Laskas recounted her journey from single life in the city to married life on a farm.In this follow-up, she describes her mother's illness and her own realization that she longs for a child.
A gentle and touching read
This is the kind of book that makes you feel so good, you want to press it on your friends. The writing is gentle and thoughtfully paced, and she writes about the kinds of everyday experiences and feelings we can all relate to.
Entertaining and touching
I always enjoy Ms. Laskas' columns and looked forward to this book. I was not disappointed. Humorous but realistically touching as she deals with issues another mother certainly understands! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Women    6. Biography & Autobiography / Women    7. Reading Group Guide   

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Case studies    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Great Britain    6. New Zealand   

Reviews (1)

Excellent resource for the Jewish Adoptive Family
Adoption and the Jewish Family is an excellent resource for Jewish adoptive and potentially adoptive families.Dr. Rosenberg combines a thorough history of Jewish adoption with details of halakha (Jewish laws)and minhag (Jewish customs).She gives advice from personal experience, asa Jewish mother, a Jewish adoptive mother, and a professional working inthe Jewish communal services.This book is well-written, thorough, andeasy to understand. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoption And Adoption Services    3. Ethnic Studies - General    4. Human Services    5. Jewish Sociology    6. Jewish families    7. Judaism    8. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    9. Psychological aspects    10. Religion - Judaism    11. Religious aspects    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. United States    15. Child care & upbringing    16. Child welfare   

Reviews (3)

Excellent Book-A MUST HAVE!!!
This book really touched my heart and is a must have for anyone who has ever thought about adopting.There were times when I laughed out loud and times when I cried.The author did an excellent job of revealing the adoption process and emotions he felt.
annoying
The content of this book is probably ok.I was really disapointed with it as I have been to Nanchang and was really looking forward to someone elses experience of the city and of course their adoption process.The problem I have with it is that it is very badly written.I realise that being a writer is not this guys job but how it was printed like this is beyond me.I can get over grammatical mistakes and bad punctuation to a point.This book is written so badly that at times it is very difficult to get the meaning of sentances.The author changes tenses mid paragraph while talking about the same moment of time.Two stars for effort and putting the story down on paper.

Outstanding True Story!Impossible to put down!Must Have!
This book is fantastic, and a must have for anyone who has ever been involved with the adoption of a child (or) a fan of Non-Fiction.
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Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Family & Relationships / Adoption    6. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. General    4. 05-1699,051699,1-4120-6788-x,141206788x. trafford publishing,Affirming the Birth Mother\'s Journey: A Peer Counselors Guide to Adoption Counseling,Adoption Professionals,and Adoptive Parents,adoption,open adoption,closed adoption,birth mothers,adoptees,ad    5. Encyclopaedias & Reference Works    6. Family & Relationships / General   

Reviews (5)

Poignant and Powerful
Linda Back McKay tells the stories of women who surrendered children for adoption, because the cultural milieu of the time permitted no other option.Her work is delivered with sensitivity and authenticity for the emotional trauma these mothers experienced. This book is extremely well written and McKay is to be commended for her courage!

A much-needed book for those in the adoption triangle.
As a participant in this book, I have been very excited about it since its beginning. Since I first thought of searching, I have been aware of a serious gap in the literature.No one answered the question, "What ifI find her/him or I am found.Then what?"This book fills that gapadmirably.Just as important, it makes one aware of how many people wereand are involved in this issue, and how varied their stories are, yet howsimilar are their pain and joy.I recommend it for anyone in or out of anadoption triangle.

Poignant, masterful chronicle of tragedy, relief, acceptance
In our era of open adoption and praise for single mothers who give up their babies to secure better lives for them, it is easy to forget a not-so-long-ago era when birth mothers were bridled with shame and expectedto forever stifle the anguish of their losses.In Shadow Mothers:Stories of Adoption and Reunions(1998, North Star Press), Linda BackMcKay tells her life story and those of nine other birth mothers whosurvived the pain, uncertainty, and secrecy of relinquishment to reunitewith their children years after giving them up.Shadow Mothers is apoignant, masterful chronicle of tragedy, relief, joy, and acceptance and aprobing look into the realities of adoption. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare   

Reviews (20)

not perfect but very worth reading for anyone connected to adoption
I find it interesting that three of the negative reviews for this book all use the same language but the writer/s claims to be the parent of Korean children, a Korean with no connection to adoption and a Korean adoptee. Um...okay? If you are going to write an angry review it would be advisabe to pick an identity and stick with it .

Chaotic, But Lovely Story
The story is a about a young Korean adoptee, raised in a small Minnesota town, who struggles to find identity. Although growing up with Asian skin (but American in every other way) in a small, rural community was difficult, her self-identity becomes even blurrier as she becomes reacquainted with her Korean birth mother.
Not for me
Five beginnings in two pages - she lost me.Too bad because the opening was terrific - a letter in broken English about the dysfunction that led to the adoptions in the first place.She changed voices, times, places; should have stuck with letter and taken it from there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1972-    2. Adopted children    3. Adoption    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Childhood and youth    9. Korean American women    10. Korean Americans    11. People of Color    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Trenka, Jane Jeong,    14. United States    15. Women    16. Biography: general    17. Ethnic studies    18. Korea    19. Minnesota   

Reviews (7)

Helpful But Outdated
This book did have some helpful and insightful information, but most of the ligistics were severely outdated. The costs are so far below the present day costs that they never should have been printed. Also, the author seemed to have a very negative outlook toward the different avenues of international adoptionexcept the avenues she chose to adopt through, such as independent adoption. Actually she was negative towards many aspects of international adoption unless it worked for her. She did not seem very open-minded. She just wants you to know what worked for her and the rest, well...it wasn't important. I would not recommend if you're seeking concrete unbias information.

Casualty of an ever-changing world
This book is one of the many casualties of the Web where ever changing country guidelines can be found with a click of the mouse. In Alperson's defense, a print publication of this nature is by definition static and outdated before it even hits the market. Still, this book makes for good reading and provides good advice. It is definitely worth reading, but double check the figures and requirements on the Web and elsewhere. What an awful book
Outdated, declasse and so preachy/stupid.You'd be better using the internet to find out the real deal on international adoption than reading this insipid book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoptive parents    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. General    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Human Services    7. Intercountry adoption    8. Interracial adoption    9. Psychology    10. Reference    11. Social Science    12. United States    13. Child welfare   

Reviews (1)

Superior Adoption Guide for all types of adoptions- We couldn't have done without it.
Adoption: Your Step by Step Guide is actually a great handbook for all. Whether you are interested in adoption or helping others with resources. Adoptive parents, adoption attorneys, adoption agencies, social workers or anyone interested in adoption will benefit from it. The strategies that Caldwell suggests will help readers minimize their adoption steps, retain more knowledge for themselves, reduce adoption stress, and save them money. Which we were able to apply much of what we learned to our adoption process.
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Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoption agencies    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Computer network resources    5. Directories    6. Family & Relationships    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Parenting - General    9. United States   

Reviews (2)

You Can't Change a Miller Into a Butterfly
Mrs. Bosley presents this small,but remarkable book to Admire These Parents' Tenacity RE: Older Adopted Kid
See those maudlin TV movies where someone adopts a rejected, older kid and flowers bloom at the end? Any parent in the real world, battling the real issues, knows what a lightweight farce those kind of scripts are. You're literally in the trenches, under siege. Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family Relationships    7. Parenting - General    8. Child care & upbringing    9. Family & Relationships / Children with Special Needs    10. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (4)

I am so proud of you Janice
Janice, I finally finished the book.My take is that it is an excellent book.You can relate to this book whether you have gone through the situations that a raised in this book or not.I think that any one who reads this book will have a better understanding of drug addicts, molesters and the victims of these people.Way to go Janice!!! I am so proud of you and I am truly sorry for everything that you have went through and I am so happy that you are now in a better place.
Gripping
J.D. Anderson is an amazing author. She has written an important thought-provoking drama that will put her on the bestseller list. "My Bouquet of Kisses" will stir your emotions long after the last page is turned.

POWERFUL
Bouquet of kisses, by J.D. Anderson is a powerful and touching novel about her and her twin brother. J.D. Anderson speaks on their experiences of pain through child abuse, molestation, and how she overcame such a cruel childhood-that speaks hope to many.
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Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Adoption    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Women    6. Biography & Autobiography / Women    7. J.D. Anderson   

Reviews (3)

Finally, somebody gets it all right!
I applaude Randi Barrow's efforts to compose a book that demonstrates honestly and openly the complexities of adoption in SOMEBODY'S CHILD. As an adoptive mother I long ago thought that love is all that is needed to adopt and nurture any child. Barrow's book supports adoption while exposing the rawness of individual situations and how diverse they can be, how painful some of it can be, and finally how necessary all of it is.
LOVED THE BOOK!!!!!!
I loved this book. I Liked the various personalities of the characters in this book. However, I could do without the extra explanation at the end of each story. The author did a great job helping explain each situation very well, but she tends to go on and on about the subject at the end of each story. Kinda buggs me. I liked that each story was a little different and it made me mad how each state treated these adopted parents. Each story is different , with its own different successes. Thats why I like it so much.

An interesting perspective and a nice break from "how-to's"
After reading so many books on how-to adopt, "Somebody's Child: Stories from the Private Files of an Adoption Attorney" offers a personal look into some people's experiences. Mostly told in the person's own words, the reader is given insight into the feelings, circumstances and thought-processes that go along with adoption. These stories are told from the point of view of someone involved with that particular adoption, such as theadopting parent or parents, birthmother, birthgrandmother, etc. At the end of each story the author gives a short update on the people, and then offers some insight to that particular situation (gay adoption, single parent, Indian Tribal complications.) My biggest complaint is that there are not enough stories. I'd love to see "part 2" that explores even more situations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoptive parents    3. Biography    4. Birthmothers    5. Case studies    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Family/Marriage    9. Parenting - General    10. Sexuality    11. United States    12. Family & Relationships / General   

Reviews (2)

Where are the Dads?
This book is thorough and clear, printed in a black and white coloring book format. The text is wordy, suitable for school-age kids with reasonable attention spans. Hyperactive children or those under about 5 would find it too long.
Helpful way to explain foster care to children
This book gives a thorough, and easy to understand, explanation of what foster care is. A boy waiting to visit his mother tells what it means to be a foster child to two children who were just taken from their family. This book is a good resource for foster parents and foster children. -Cynthia Miller Lovell, author of The Star: A story to help young children understand foster care, and Questions & Activities for The Star: A handbook for foster parents ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. General   

Reviews (7)

a smorgasbord of information for the literate parent
Cheryl Coon's book is a smorgasbord of information for the literate parent. I have seen nothing like it in my years as a psychologist for children. It provides a `natural' approach to understanding the myriad situations that a parent and child will, hopefully, face together. Nothing seems to bond a child and parents so much as reading a favorite book together again and again.

A sparkling resource that belongs on every educator's desk!
How many times in my career as a teacher or librarian has someone asked if there was a children's book that dealt with a specific problem? Talk about handy-dandy! Teachers, librarians, physicians, counselors and anyone who works with children will find that this is one of the most dog-eared references on their desk, and parents will become instantly expert in prescribing their own bibliotherapy. An approachable guide that deals with issues in a cheerful way.

A valuable addition to a family library
Stories are a great way to help children with their concerns. This book is a thorough guide to children's literature, arranged by topics. Issues addressed range from the common - such as potty training and sibling jealousy to the more serious issues of dealing with loss of a loved one. I would recommend it as a good book to have on your shelf to refer to when you children or their friends encounter some of these problems. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Children's Literature - General    4. Education    5. Family & Relationships    6. Literature - Classics / Criticism    7. Parenting - General    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    9. Family & Relationships / General   

Reviews (3)

Helpful
This book contains both useful and not-so-useful information. It covers the basics of harmful, abusive and neglectful relationships and why they cause behavioral problems. It also discusses many therapeutic adoptive and foster family environments and techniques to be used with problem kids. The methods suggested are very situation-specific, and all were developed with the advice of therapists working with the families whose situations are (anonymously) described.
Abusive "Holding Therapy"
Be advised that Delaney and Kunstal promote "Attachment Therapy," an unvalidated and abusive form of coercive restraint that is use as psychotherapy for adoptive and foster children.Attachment Therapy is denounced by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC Task Force, 2006) and the use of physical restraint in this manner is condemned by all mental health professional organizations.
Informative and empowering
This book explores the dynamics of both harmful (abusive and neglectful) and therapeutic (specially-trained adoptive and foster) family environments.Disturbed children can be helped to develop more productive and satisfying relationships, the authors suggest, through the efforts of foster and adoptive parents working in the home environment, aided by the support, encouragement, and resources of the professionals on the team.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Child Development    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family/Marriage    7.  Abused children    8. Problem children    9. Adopted children    10. Foster children   

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoptive parents    3. Care    4. Child Care/Parenting    5. Children with Special Needs    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Parenting    10. Parenting - General    11. Toddlers    12. Child care & upbringing    13. Child welfare