Recommended Readings

Adoption General

A child’s journey through placement. Fahlberg, V. (1991)
Adopted and Wondering: Drawing Out Feelings. Heegaard, M. E. (2007)
Adopting a Toddler: What Size Shoes Does She Wear? Hoppenhauer, D. H. (2004)
Adopting after infertility. Johnston, P.I. (1992)
Adopting the hurt child: Hope for families with special-needs kids. Keck, G.C., & Kupecky, R.M. (1998)
Adopting the older child. Jewett-Jarratt, C.L. (1978)
Adoption and disruption: Rates, risks, and responses. Barth, R.P., & Berry, M. (1988)
Adoption is a family affair: What relatives and friends must know. Johnston, P.I. (2001)
Adoption lifebook: A bridge to your child’s beginnings. Probst, C. (2002)
Adoption nation. Pertman, A. (2000)
Adoption without fear. Gritter, J. (1989)
Affect regulation and the origin of self: The neurobiology of emotional development. Schore, A.N. (1999)
Attaching in adoption: Practical tools for today’s parents. Gray, D.D. (2002)
Attachment, trauma, and healing: Understanding and treating attachment disorder in children and families. Levy, T., & Orlans, M. (1998)
Becoming attached: First relationships and how they shape our capacity to love. Karen, R. (1994)
Being Adopted: The lifelong search for self. Brodzinsky, D.M., Schecter, M.D., & Hening, R.M. (1992)
Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens. Riley, D. B., & Meeks, J., MD (2005)
The best interests of the child: The least detrimental alternative. Goldstein, J., Solnit, A.J., Goldstein, S., & Freud, A. (1996)
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us about Loss, Love, and Healing. Perry, B., & Szalavitz, M. (2007)
Building the bonds of attachment: Awakening love in deeply troubled children. Hughes, D.A. (1998)
The care or repair of children’s self esteem: 42 prescriptions for children’s healthy self esteem. Bazarte, M. (2001)
Children with Prenatal Alcohol and/or Other Drug Exposure: Weighing the Risks of Adoption. Edelstein, S. B. (1996)
Children’s adjustment to adoption: Developmental and clinical issues. Brodzinsky, D.M., Smith, D.W., & Brodzinksy, A.B. (1998)
Connecting with Kids Through Stories: Using Narratives to Facilitate Attachment in Adopted Children. Lacher, D. B., & Nichols, T. (2005)
Coping with Infertility: Clinically Proven Ways of Managing the Emotional Roller Coaster. Negar, N. J. (2006)
Creating ceremonies: Innovative ways to meet adoption challenges. Lieberman, C.A., & Bufferd, R.K. (1998)
Designing rituals of adoption: For the religious and secular community. Mason, M.M. (1995)
The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are. Siegel, D.J. (2001)
The emotional brain. LeDoux, J. (1996)
Emotional intelligence. Goleman, D. (1995)
Ethics in American adoption. Babb, L. (1999)
Face in the Mirror: Teenagers and Adoption. Crook, M. (2000)
Facilitating developmental attachment: The road to emotional recovery and behavioral change in foster and adopted children. Hughes, D.A. (2000)
The family assessment handbook: An introductory practice guide to family assessment and intervention. Thomlinson, B. (2001)
The family of adoption. Pavao, J.M. (1999)
Genograms in family assessment. McGoldrick, M., & Gerson, R. (1985)
Genograms: Assessment and intervention. McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Schellenberger, S. (1999)
Ghosts from the nursery. Karr-Morse, R., & Wiley, M.S. (1997)
Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade. Fessler, A. (2007)
Growing up adopted. Rosenberg, M. (1989)
Growing up again: Parenting ourselves, parenting our children. Clarke, J.I., & Dawson, C. (1996)
Handbook of Adoption: Implications for Researchers, Practitioners, and Families. Javier, R. A. (ed.) (2006)
Healing Parents: Helping Wounded Children Learn to Trust & Love. Orlans, M. & Levy, T. M. (2006)
Healing the shame that binds you. Bradshaw, J. (1990)
Helping children cope with separation and loss. Jewett-Jarratt, C.L. (1994)
How to raise a child with a high EQ: A parents’ guide to emotional intelligence. Shapiro, L. (1997)
The large adoptive family: A special kind of “normal.” Tremitiere, B. (1994)
Lifebooks: Creating a treasure for the adopted child. O’Malley, B. (2000)
Love Like No Other: Stories from Adoptive Parents. Kruger, P., & Smolove, J. (2005)
The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being. Siegel, D.J., Norton, W. W. (2007)
More than a thousand words: Graphics for clinical practice. Mattaini, M. (1993)
My Family, My Journey: A Baby Book for Adoptive Families. Francesca, Z., & Ghahremani, S. (2007)
Nurturing Adoptions: Creating Resilience after Neglect and Trauma. Gray, D. D. (2007)
The other mother: A woman’s love for the child she gave up for adoption. Schaefer, C. (1991)
Our Own: Adopting and Parenting the Older Child. Maskew, T. (2003)
The out-of-sync child: Recognizing and coping with sensory integration dysfunction. Kranowitz, C.S. (1998)
Parenting from the inside out. Siegel, D.J., Hartzell, M.M. (2004)
Parenting the hurt child: Helping adoptive families heal and grow. Keck, G.C., & Kupecky, R.M. (2002)
Parenting with love and logic: Teaching children responsibility. Cline, F., & Fay, J. (1990)
Parenting Your Adopted Older Child: How to Overcome the Unique Challenges and Raise a Happy and Healthy Child. McCreight, B., Ph.D. (2002)
The permutations of permanency: Making sensible placement decisions. Delaney, R. (1998)
The Post Adoption Blues, Overcoming the Unforseen Challenges of Adoption. Foli, K. J. Ph.D., & Thompson, J. R. M.D. (2004)
Postadoption Experience: Adoptive Families; Service Needs and Service Outcomes. Dore, M. M. Ph.D. (ed.) (2006)
The PTSD workbook: simple, effective techniques for overcoming traumatic stress symptoms. Williams, M.B., & Poijula, S. (2002)
Raising adopted children. Melina, L.R. (1998)
The search for the secure base: Attachment theory and psychotherapy. Holmes, J. (2001)
The secret life of families: Truth-telling, privacy, and reconciliation in a tell-all society. Imber-Black, E. (1998)
Secret Thoughts of An Adoptive Mother. Wolff, J. (1999)
Self-esteem: A family affair. Clarke, J.I. (1998)
Shared fate: A theory and method of adoptive relationships. Kirk, H.D. (1984)
Solution-focused therapy with children: Harnessing family strengths for systemic change. Selekman, M. (1997)
Talking to your child about adoption. Dorner, P.M. (1991)
Talking with young children about adoption. Watkins, M., & Fisher, S. (1995)
Tear soup: A recipe for healing after loss. Schwiebert, P, & DeKlyen, C. (1999)
Telling the truth to your adopted or foster child: Making sense of the past. Keefer, B., & Schooler, J.E. (2000)
Ten days to self esteem. Burns, D. (1993)
Ten sisters: A true story. Rackley, V., Hart, D., Brniak, R., Hickmott, M., Swierk, I. Ferguson, P., Barber, V., Alford, A., Wenzel, D. (2002)
Theraplay: Helping parents and children build better relationships through attachment-based play. Jernberg, A.M., & Booth, P.B. (1999)
Theraplay: Innovations in attachment-enhancing play therapy. Munns, E. (1999)
Thicker Than Blood: Bonds of Fantasy and Reality in Adoption. Kramer, S. (2007)
Toddler Adoption: The Weaver’s Craft. Best, M. H., Ed.D. (1998)
Too scared to cry: Psychic trauma in childhood. Terr, L. (1990)
Trauma Through a Child’s Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing; Infancy Through Adolescence. Levine, P. A., & Kline, M. (2006)
Twenty life transforming choices adoptees need to make. Eldridge, S. (2003)
Twenty things adopted kids wish their adoptive parents knew. Eldridge, S. (1999)
User’s guide to the brain: Personality, behavior and the four theaters of the brain. Ratey, J. (2001)
When Adoptions Go Wrong. Schwartz, L. L. Ph.D. (2006)

Birth Families

Birth Fathers and Their Adoption Experiences. Clapton, G. (2002)
Lifegivers: Framing the birthparent experience in open adoption. Gritter, J. (1999)
Out of the shadows: Birthfathers’ stories. Mason, M.M. (1995)
Saying goodbye to a baby: Volume 1 – the birthparent’s guide to loss and grief in adoption. Roles, P. (1989)
Saying goodbye to a baby: Volume 2 – a counselor’s guide to birthparent loss and grief in adoption. Roles, P. (1990)
Tear soup: A recipe for healing after loss. Schwiebert, P, & DeKlyen, C. (1999)

Children’s and Young Adult Books

A koala for Katie: An adoption story. London, J. (1998)
A mother for Choco. Kasza, K. (1996)
A spark in the dark. Tichnor, R. (1994)
Adoption is for always. Girard, L.W. (1991)
Adoption stories for young children. Hicks, R.B. (1995)
Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Viorst, J. (1976)
All About Adoption: How Families are Made. Nemiroff, M., Annunziata, J., Koeller, C. (2003)
All About Adoption: How to Deal with the Questions of Your Past. Lanchon, A., Dzarnecki, M. (2006)
All about me: Adopted and special; an interactive tool for parents and children. Burwash, L., & McMullin, C. (1998)
All kinds of families. Simon, N. (1976)
All the colors of the earth. Hamanaka, S. (1994)
And Tango Makes Three. Parnell, P., & Richardson, J. (2005)
Anne of Green Gables. Montgomery, L.M. (2001)
Beginnings: How families come to be. Kroll, V. (1993)
Best Single Mom in the World: How I was Adopted. Zisk, M. (2001)
Chinese Eyes. Waybill, M. (1974)
Did my first mother love me? Miller, K.A. (1994)
Double dip feelings: Stories to help children understand emotions. Cain, B.S. (2001)
Families are forever. Shemin, C. Shemin, C. & Capone, D. (2003)
Families Change: A Book for Children Experiencing Termination of Parental Rights. Nelson, J. (2006)
The family book. Parr, T. (2003)
For When I’m Famous: A Teen Foster/Adoption Lifebook [10 pack]. O’Malley, B. (2006)
Getting ready for adoption. McCoy, T.L. (1993)
Guji Guji. Chen, C. Y. (2004)
Happy Adoption Day. McCutcheon, J. (2001)
Horace. Keller, H. (1995)
How it feels to be adopted. Krementz, J. (1988)
I don’t have your eyes. Kitze, C. (2003)
The invisible string. Karst, P. (2000)
Is that your sister? Bunin, C., & Bunin, S. (1992)
It’s O.K. to be different. Parr, T. (2001)
Jin Woo. Bunting, E. (2001)
Just the way you are. Lucado, M. (1999)
Let’s talk about it: Adoption. Rogers, F. (1995)
Lifebooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child. O’Malley, B. (2000)
Little Lost Bat. Markle, S. (2006)
Little Miss Spider. Kirk, D. (2003)
Love you forever. Munsch, R. (1986)
Lucy’s family tree. Schreck, K.H. (2001)
Mommy, did I grow in your tummy?: Where some babies come from. Gordon, E.R. (1992)
The mulberry bird. Brodzinsky, A.B. (1996)
My Adoption Workbook [10 pack]. McCoy, T. (1993)
My Family is Forever. Carlson, N. (2006)
Oh, the places you’ll go. Seuss, Dr. (1990)
Oliver: A story about adoption. Wickstrom, L. (1991)
One wonderful you. Portnoy, F. (1997)
Real Me: A Teen Lifebook for Young Adults in Foster Care or Adoption [10 pack]. McCoy, T., & Barnes, D. (2002)
Returnable Girl. Lowell, P. (2006)
Rosie’s family: An adoption story. Rosove, L. (2001)
Sam’s Sister. Bond, J. C. (2004)
Sisters. Caseley, J. (2004)
Stellaluna. Cannon, J. (1993)
Tear soup: A recipe for healing after loss. Schwiebert, P, & DeKlyen, C. (1999)
Tell me again about the night I was born. Curtis, J.L. (1996)
Three Names of Me. Cummings, M. (2006)
The twelve gifts of birth. Costanzo, C. (2001)
Twice upon a time: Born and adopted. Patterson, E. (1987)
W.I.S.E. Up! Powerbook. Schoettle, M. (2000)
We wanted you. Rosenberg, L. (2001)
We’re different, we’re the same. Kates, B.J. (1992)
Welcome Home, Forever Child. Mitchell, C. (2006)
What is Adoption: Helping Non-Adopted Children Understand Adoption. Stergianis, S., & McDowall, R. (2006)
Who’s in a Family? Skutch, R. (1997)
Who’s who in my family? Leedy, L. (1999)
Why am I different? Simon, N. (1976)
You’re Not My Real Mother. Freidrich. M. (2004)
Zachary’s new home: A story for foster and adopted children. Blomquist, G.M., & Blomquist, P.B. (1990)

Foster Care General

Lesbian and Gay Foster and Adoptive Parents: Recruiting, Assessing, and Supporting an Untapped Resource for Children and Youth. Mallon, G. P. (2006)
Lesbian and Gay Fostering and Adoption: Extraordinary Yet Ordinary. Hicks, S., & McDermott, J. (1998)
Tear soup: A recipe for healing after loss. Schwiebert, P, & DeKlyen, C. (1999)
Telling the truth to your adopted or foster child: Making sense of the past. Keefer, B., & Schooler, J.E. (2000)
Transracial adoption and foster care: Practice issues for professionals. Crumbley, J. (1999)

Gay and Lesbian Adoption

A Gay Couple’s Journey Through Surrogacy: Intended Fathers. Menichiello, M. (2006)
Lesbian and Gay Foster and Adoptive Parents: Recruiting, Assessing, and Supporting an Untapped Resource for Children and Youth. Mallon, G. P. (2006)
Lesbian and Gay Fostering and Adoption: Extraordinary Yet Ordinary. Hicks, S., & McDermott, J. (1998)

Open Adoption

Arms Wide Open: An Insight Into Open Adoption. Waters, J. (2005)
Children of open adoption. Silber, K., & Dorner, P.M. (1990)
The open adoption experience: A complete guide for adoptive and birth families – from making the decision through the child’s growing years. Melina, L.R., & Roszia, S.K. (1993)
Openness in Adoption: Exploring Family Connections. Grotevant, H., & McRoy, R. G. (1998)
The spirit of open adoption. Gritter, J. (1997)

Relative Care

Empowering Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Cox, C. B. (2000)
Grandparents as Parents, A Survival Guide for Raising a Second Family. Toledo, S. (1995)
Raising Our Children’s Children. Doucette-Dudman, D. (1997)
Relatives raising children: An overview of kinship care. Crumbley, J., & Little, R.L. (1997)
Tear soup: A recipe for healing after loss. Schwiebert, P, & DeKlyen, C. (1999)
Ticklebelly Hill: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Osborne, H. (2003)

School Issues

Adoption and the Schools: Resources for Parents and Teachers. Wood, L., & Ng. N. (ed.) (2001)
S.A.F.E at School, Support for Adoptive Families by Educators. Schoettle, M. (2003)

Search & Reunion

Adoption reunions: A book for adoptees, birth parents and adoptive families. McColm, M. (1993)
Birth bond: Reunions between birthparents and adoptees – what happens after. Gediman, J.S., & Brown, L.P. (1991)
Mistress’s Daughter. Homes, A.M. (2007)

Single Parent Adoption

Adopting On Your Own: The Complete Guide to Adoption for Single Parents. Varon, L. (2000)
The handbook for single adoptive parents. Marindin, H. (2000)

Transcultural and Intercountry Adoption

Dim sum, bagels, and grits: A sourcebook for multicultural families. Alperson, M. (2001)
Handbook of International Adoption Medicine: A Guide for Physicians, Parents and Providers. Miller, L. C. (2004)
I Wish for You a Beautiful Life: Letters from the Korean Birth Mothers of Ae Ron Won to their Children. Darow, S. (ed.) (1999)
Wuhu Diary: On Taking My Adopted Daughter Back to Her Hometown in China. Prager, E. (2002)

Transracial Adoption

Black Baby White Hands: A View from the Crib. John. J. (2005)
Does Anybody Else Look Like Me? A Parent’s Guide to Raising Multiracial Children. Nakazawa, D. J. (2004)
In their own voices: Transracial adoptees tell their stories. Simon, R.J., & Roorda, R.M. (2000)
Inside transracial adoption. Steinberg, G., & Hall, B. (2000)
Loving Across the Color Line: A White Adoptive Mother Learns About Race. Rush, S. E. (2000)
Transracial adoption and foster care: Practice issues for professionals. Crumbley, J. (1999)