Reviews (4)

The origins of the American child welfare system
There've been plenty of books published selecting Orphan Train children as the protagonists, but relatively few stand-alone volumes consider the origins and social implications of the American child welfare system which emerged in mid-19th century New York to handle to dearth of orphans and runaways on the New York City streets. One man's vision of rescue became the famous Orphan Trains program, and Stephen O'Connor's history and biography focus on one Christian minister Charles Loring Brace, the man who created the Children's Aid Society to handle these children more humanely.
Author Has Wrong View of Foster Care
In this book, Mr. O'Connor describes how Charles Loring Brace started the orphan trains, which was the beginning of modern foster care. But Mr. O'Connor has also done nothing more than attempt to turn people OFF to the foster care system! Every other page is filled with the "failures", and the kids that did not enjoy their new homes. Rarely does he describe the successes, the times that foster care has truly helped. An interesting and important book.
Some people say you can judge a society by how it treats its weakest members, and if that is true the United States has repeatedly failed the test. When it comes to dealing with the most vulnerable people among us � children whose families can not or will not take care of them � over and over we turn our backs on horrible examples of abuse and neglect.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1826-1890    2. Adoption    3. Brace, Charles Loring,    4. Children's Aid Society (New Yo    5. History    6. History - U.S.    7. History: American    8. Orphan trains    9. Philanthropy & Charity    10. Services For Children    11. Social Science    12. Social Work    13. United States - 19th Century    14. United States - General    15. Advice on parenting    16. American history    17. Child welfare    18. History / United States / General    19. USA   

Reviews (8)

Useful information; unpoetic title
This book contains useful information for multicultural families, and is recommended notwithstanding the clunky title.

food for thought for adoptive parents
Dim Sum, Bagels, and Grits is a guide to adoptive parents & parents-to-be on the journey toward creating a multicultural family with appropriate traditions, religious observances, role models & developing alternative ways to draw a family tree. The face of adoption has changed dramatically in recent years, a fact that the author, whose daughter is from China, knows very well. In this invaluable handbook "for multicultural families formed through adoption," she offers not only her firsthand experience & wisdom, she also offers those of other adoptive parents & experts from around the U.S. Simply what it is: a really useful & thorough handbook providing an expansive resource directory of adoption agencies & publications, Web sites & sources. It affirms the importance of balancing birth culture & adoptive culture within the family. The author also lists discussion groups, support organizations & heritage camps for both parents & kids If you have ever considered adopting across cultural lines - this fine book should be at the top of your resource list.

A wonderful book
"Dim Sum" is an absolutely wonderful book for anyone who is thinking about adoption or who has adopted - internationally or domestically.It is also a wonderful resource for anyone (adoptive parent or not) who wants to help their children be proud of their heritage.With two children adopted internationally, my husband and I refer to it quite often for resources dealing with our childrens' heritage as well as issues related to adoption in general.Full of resources as well as advice and snipets ofthe author's own experiences, it is simply a wonderful resource and a great read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Ethnicity in children    3. Family    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family Relationships    7. Family/Marriage    8. General    9. Intercountry adoption    10. Interracial adoption    11. Multiculturalism    12. Parenting - General    13. Family & Relationships / Adoption   

Reviews (3)

A helpful book in overcoming racial discrimination
I welcome any book that is supportive of transracial adoptions and helps all members of the families involved to live in harmony. I agree with the author that love is not enough. Unlike in my family's same-race adoption, in a transracial adoption the parents need to acknowledge the existence of prejudice, explain to the child why his/her racial or cultural group is mistreated, provide the child with a repertoire of responses to racial discrimination and provide the child with role models and positive contact within the community. We have transracial adoptions in our neighborhood and I hope that the adoptive parents (all Caucasians) receive plenty of help from their agencies with those issues. They would be well advised to read this book. Succinct and Empowering
This book goes beyond the discussion of "should we or shouldn't Transracial Adoption and Foster Care
This book is an interesting read but it should be retitled "Transracial Adoption and Foster Care: Don't Ever Do It.Practice Issues for Professionals "Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family social work    4. Foster home care    5. Interracial adoption    6. Sociology    7. United States   

Reviews (3)

Great Book
As a previous reviewer noted, this book is an easy read.I read it in just a few hours.It is very well written and quite moving.This is one of few good books on adoption that are written from a Christian perspective.The writers were missionaries.The book is realistic about the challenges of adoption but also very encouraging.

A Very Moving Book
As we are working through an adoption from China, we were told that we had to read this book. The title didn't exactly turn me on but I went ahead and ordered it anyway.
International/Special Needs
Good book but not exactly what I was looking for.It does discuss adoption and the ministry but mostly discusses international, special needs adoption. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Family Relationships    3. Religion    4. Religion - Christian Life    5. Advice on parenting   

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. Intercountry adoption    5. Interracial adoption    6. Juvenile literature    7. United States    8. Child welfare    9. Multicultural studies    10. Social issues   

Reviews (29)

A Peek Into the Grief of a Birth Mother
A highly personal peek into a not-so-long-ago way of handling adoptions.This book provides an amazing amount of insight into the emotional upheaval the birth mother undergoes through pregnancy, adoption and the rest of her life, as well that of her parents, the birth father, siblings and the relationships and family that follow.The "return policy" was certainly an eye opener!An adoptive mother loaned me this book, and even though I am of the same generation as the author, the treatment of the unwed mother was barbaric, insensitive, shocking and the lack of counseling just another way in which society has failed.A "must read" for most adoptees and adoptive parents, but also instructional for anyone who has ever known anyone involved in the adoption process.
AWESOME, AWESOME BOOK
This is a must read for all birthmothers, adoptees and adoptive parents.For clinicians who work within the adoption field, this book should be mandatory reading in order to understand the experience of the mother who places her child for adoption.Schaefer's book is powerful and honest and will touch the hearts of everyone.

Can I give it 10 stars?A MUST READ!!!
A must read for anyone connected to an adoption...5 stars is just not enough!Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

Like a "Dr. Spock" for adoption issues.
Excellent and extremely useful book. For example, the chapter on the Middle Childhood Years is entitled, "Why didn't they keep me?"and is full of useful advice about how to answer that critical andinevitable question. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adopted children    2. Adoption    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Child rearing    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family relationships    7. United States    8. Family & Relationships / General   

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family/Marriage   

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

Reviews (5)

True Adoption Experts
Mosconi and Foge are right on. They have provided an excellent and unique book for the adoption triad. This is an amazing book for birthparents and a terrific guide to help them through the adoption process. Mosconi and Foge are knowledgeable, informative and true advocates for birthparents, adoptive families and the open adoption process.This book is a 10 and I would recommend it to both birthparents and adoptive parents. There is no other adoption book like it, it is unique and very easy to read. Thank you Mosconi and Foge for making a difference in the wonderful world of adoption.

The Third Choice
Birthmothers get over their grief in a year?Get real!!It's too bad these two authors (who just happen to be social workers) didn't get it right!That part of the book is very misleading for those contemplating adoption; it takes us back to the Dark Ages (i.e. most of the last century) when birthmothers were told they would get over it.(Most didn't!)For another slant on adoption, I suggest the book written by Merry Bloch Jones.Also the book by Gediman and Brown.A biography on this subject is Search for Paul David.

The info on grief is utter nonsense and incorrect
The book starts out okay and I had some hopes for it.However it breaks down completely whenever the author deals with the issue of Birth Parent grief.Birth Parent grief and pain doesn't decrease or disappear after a year...it's a lifelong process that never ends.Some women do become overwhelmed with grief the first year and turn to emotional numbness as a temporary way to find relief from the pain....but this emotional defense only lasts so long...eventually the pain & grief resurfaces in their life in the forms of: depression, anger, low self-esteem, etc.It's a shame that the authors didn't talk to any experienced Birth Parents about the true course and direction of grief.They took the easy way out and claimed that the pain goes away in a year...comforting for adoptive parents to hear...but none of my Birth Parent friends would agree with this claim!!Read books written by real Birth Mothers if you want to understand how wrong this book is about adoption loss & grief. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family & Relationships / Adoption    4. Family/Marriage    5. Reference    6. Adoptive parents    7. Birthmothers    8. Birthparents    9. Pregnant women    10. Single mothers    11. United States   

Reviews (17)

A wonderful resource for people adopting a toddler!
This book addressed many of the questions I had about the details of a toddler adoption (packing, nursery, etc.) It is written in a style that makes you feel like you are just talking with a good friend and was a quick read. The author reccomends Toddler Adoption, A Weaver's Craft for informatin about the more complicated issues of attachment and bonding, and I agree. Again, it is an excellent look at the details associated with adopting a toddler and preparing for their arrival.

Everything you need to know about adopting toddlers
My husband and I found this to be one of the best books we have read so far on adopting toddlers.We are adopting 2 from Russia, and not having any biological children, we have lots of questions.This book is simply fantastic.It gave us lists of what/how to prepare for our new arrivals, some info on the process we can expect in Russia, home safety, sizes we can expect them to be, etc.This was well worth the money.The book is written in a very conversational tone, so it is not difficult reading like some of the other books that focus on case studies.We were able to read it in just a couple of hours.I would highly recommend this book to anyone who does not have previous toddler childcare experience.

Disappointing
I was hoping this book would help prepare me as we wait to adopt a 2.5-3 year old child.Unfortunately, the book is really geared towards first time parents and since this will be our 4th child, there was very little in the book that I found at all helpful. ... Read more

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

Reviews (4)

This Book Changed My Life
I am a mother of two birth children and one adopted child, adopted from foster care at age 13. I stumbled across this book in a bookstore one rainy day when I had hit the emotional low-point in my own adoption journey. I read it while I was struggling with the endless and maddening redtape and delays entailed in getting our foster child out of "the system" forever. "Nobody's Children" speaks to hundreds of thousands of Americans whose hearts and beliefs nudge them to contemplate domestic adoption, yet who encounter cultural and procedural barriers that discourage most from considering adoption from the foster care system. This is a carefully-researched and footnoted work by a distinguished former civil rights attorney--whose career included work at the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and now Harvard Law School, where sheteaches today. The author is herself both an adoptive and biological parent. Her book gave me new hope. I was inspired by it to work to help bring about the cultural shifts and procedural reforms described in this book, changes that will be required if our nation is truly serious about ending the tragedy (and travesty) of kids languishing in long-term foster care. Ignore reviews by some who utterly mischaracterize Bartholet's arguments. She, like Patrick Murphy before her, fully acknowledge that the vast majority of poor and minority families raise their children well and lovingly, and that far more social resources should be directed toward addiction treatment and supporting stressed-out birth mothers so they can keep their babies. Defenseless, innocent children are not, however, the chattel (private property) of their birth parents. All of us, as a civilized people, must speak out against policies and practices that severely limit a child's chance to be adopted after being subjected to acts of torture or repeated abuse and neglect. To fix "the system" and its horrors, more Americans need to open their homes to the children trapped in it. How to persuade people to consider adopting from foster care? Bartholet suggests a first step: imagine a system that promotes adoption as the best, instead of a second best, way to build a family.A book for dreamers and "doers" both.

A good book to read
This book is great, because it talks about what foster care is about in the eyes of the author. I to have had my share of the juvenile courts issue. My children were removed from me on Dec. 16, 1990 by a police office not a social worker. I was charged on hearsay issues. I have always loved my children, but my mother had stolen my children because I was poor and unmarried. Now I have formed a class action against the abuse of the system.

Typically self-serving
Nothing more than another whining infertile wishing to strip all biological parents of their constitutional rights to parent their children without government interference, in hopes of increasing the already flooded pool of children awaiting adoption.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Child abuse    3. Child welfare    4. Children    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family/Marriage    7. Government policy    8. Human Services    9. Institutional care    10. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    11. Sociology    12. Sociology - General    13. United States    14. Child care & upbringing    15. Family & Relationships / Adoption   

Reviews (1)

great book
everything was great about this purchase, the shipping speed, condition of the book, and the price i bought it for! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family/Marriage    4. Love & Romance    5. Love / Sex / Marriage    6. Sex    7. Sex instruction    8. Sexual Instruction    9. Sexual excitement    10. Family & Relationships / Sexuality   

Reviews (29)

How about a little respect??
I agree with the previous reviewer.The husband really has no respect for culture.The wife is wayyy too good for this guy!Unfortunately, he's the father of a beautiful baby girl.Let's hope she can help him grow up!!!The book really didn't provide any new information or insights to China adoption.I read the below reviews and bought it anyway.Anyone want to buy my copy now?I love to keep my books but it's just not one I would read again since it's mostly written with disregard for his daughters wonderful culture.Sad.

Dont buy...
Yes I agree with the comments above. This book was sooo disappointing, the couple just complained and seemed to spend all their time at the gym...what about getting out there and seeing china...It was a waste of money and very badly written with spelling errors...I think the authors should check the spelling of rice paddy, as they will find it is paDDy not paTTy.
Avoid this book
I wish I had read the online reviews before I tackled this book.I found the authors' description of their story to be especially dismaying.They didn't seem to respect their daughter- even made up a very disparaging song about her (and bodily functions) while they were in China.Very disappointing to see two college educated individuals be so close-minded and complaining about China.The husband's chapters become especially cumbersome- whenever I got to his sections all I could think of was, "What will he be complaining about now?"This book can be such a downer that it might sap the excitement out of you.I wonder how they are doing now.They did not seem cut out for parenthood at all.
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Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Child welfare   

Reviews (2)

Adoption Reform:Idealism v. Reality
L. Anne Babb, an adoption professional, has written a book that essentially concerns the issue of raising the ethical standards practiced by adoption practitioners in the USA. I write my review, as an adoptive parent who is somewhat familiar with the adoption system, and adoption practices. Crucial and long overdue addition to the adoption field.
I have known the author, Dr. Babb, for many years, but I read this book only with an eye to its potential contribution to adoption in America. And its contribution is unique, important, and long overdue. Every adoptionagency and attorney in this nation should apply the ethical standardsoutlined in this book, for the sake of all triad members. Adoption cannothope to be viewed as a profession if it does not have and institute a codeof ethics. Now, we have one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoption And Adoption Services    3. Child welfare    4. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Moral and ethical aspects    7. Professional ethics    8. Social Science    9. Social Science Ethics    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. United States    13. Family & Relationships / General    14. USA   

Reviews (7)

I Highly Recommend
First, the book is NOT a biography; it is, however, a memoir and I challenge anyone to recall with perfection every occurrence in his or her lives.In addition, yes, this book is indeed a journey.It is a journey through the nonlinear realm of memories.It is a journey through the expansion and compression of time.The expansion and compression that goes on in our minds and hearts as we recall, or attempt to recall, those instances in our past that framed our future.It is indeed a bumpy ride that McElmurray takes us on through those oscillations.However, it is truly a marvelous work and I compliment the author not only her bravery but for her creative ability to take us on this "journey" for redemption, on this "journey" for closure and ultimately to the beginning of a new "journey" for the author.The "journey" for her and her son to come to terms with all that has happened.A beautifully written book it is more like poetry than prose.Like a hushed cry, it will call you into the memories and will hold on to you until the very end.

The Best Birthmother Narrative I Have Read
This is an important book for all interested in adoption and especially the birthmother experience to read. The writing is far superior to the usual adoption memoir; liquid,lyrical, poignant, vivid and emotionally true. The poetic stream of consciousness style is perfect to convey the ambiguity, pain, guilt, and clouded memory of a mother who gives up a child, especially the aftermath suffered alone in secrecy and self-loathing. The author's skill in making specific sights, sounds, smells stand out like objects coming into focus through a thick fog is especially effective in anchoring the narrative in reality while the very nature of that remembered reality is questioned.
Give it Up
She was barely fifteen.She was scared and full of Jesus and her baby.She had faith in the sacrament of marriage but that let her down.She was raised by a germophobiac Appalachian mother who surely thought cleanliness was next to godliness.In that way, her mother tried to save her daughter.After that, her daughter saved her son by giving him up for adoptiion in a system of adoption that was still relatively safe.
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Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Parental Memoirs    7. Women   

Reviews (5)

Much about Chinese adoption; Not much about Korean adoption
This book is to-the-point lawyerly advice about adopting from China. Maclean writes very litle about Korean adoption (as the title even indicates). If you've looked into Korean adoption at all, you know at least as much as this book covers, and that Korean adoption is quite different from Chinese adoption. However, if you are considering adopting from China, his step-by-step information about the process makes this book well worth it. And much of it applies to international adoption in general.Maclean starts at the beginning of the paperwork process, and continues throughout your trip to China. Included is information about possible medical conditions, typical age-appropriate weight/height/development and what one might expect to see after orphanage, foster care, or care with little (or good) cognitive and physical stimulation.
Great information!
This book is a tremendous help if you are thinking about Chinese Adoption. It covers everything from the process/paperwork to what to pack -- things you would not think about packing!It reminds you that this is a lifetime commitment and not just a trip to China.The author also gives you tips on how to move the process along and what pitfalls to look for with both the US and Chinese governments. I highly recommend it.

Great book
Great book and very informative.Author uses wit, which keeps the book flowing.Read this book first time from the local library and new I had to own it.The book will be going with me when I travel to China to pick up my new daughter. ... Read more

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

Reviews (8)

Best book on adoption stories
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

Warm and Fuzzy, Not too heavy
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 foreasy-light reading that will make you feel good, then this is the book foryou.If you are interested in more indepth stories or issues surroundingadoption, then this book will probably disapoint you.

Child of My Heart... MY Cardio-Child
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 & myHope.Dayna has recently been bless with a Bio-child who she has namedFaith.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoptive parents    3. Anecdotes    4. Case studies    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family/Marriage    8. United States   

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Adoption And Adoption Services    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    7. Women    8. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (2)

A guidebook to navigating adoptive parenthoo
Should you treat your adopted child just like your neighbor treats her child who wasn't adopted? Or should you worry about every problem, thinking it may be linked somehow to being adopted?
This book's for you....if you've done little research
A good book for the person embarking on their adoption journey.However, if you've already adopted and have done a bit of research into adoptive parenting, you are most likely already aware of how to deal with many of the situations presented in this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Parenting    6. Parenting - General    7. United States    8. Advice on parenting    9. Family & Relationships / Adoption