Books
There are many valuable books on adoption that offer insights into the realities of adoptive parenting and provide support for adoptive families. Here are some that can help adoptive parents navigate the complexities and understand the adoption process more deeply:
“The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family” by Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine
This book provides practical advice and strategies for building strong, healthy relationships with adopted children, particularly those who have experienced trauma.
“An Unnatural Choice” by Mary Hodder Ross
This poignant memoir is about love and sacrifice, Ross opens up about the impossible choice to give up her child in secret and the impacts of this difficult decision on the decades that followed.
“The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Adoption: Everything You Need to Know About Domestic and International Adoption” by Elizabeth Swire Falker
This book offers a clear, factual overview of adoption, including practical information on the process and the emotional aspects involved.
“Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth Parents, and Others” by Sara Easterly, Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard, and Lori Holden
This book that aims to shed light on the complexities of adoption and the need for a more ethical system. The authors interview a range of people involved in adoption, including adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, social workers, and therapists.
“The Adoption Workbook: A Practical Guide to Helping Your Child Thrive” by William L. MacGregor and Nancy M. MacGregor
This workbook provides practical tools and exercises for adoptive parents to address common challenges and promote healthy development in adopted children.
“Raising Adopted Children: A Manual for Adoptive Parents” by Lois Ruskai Melina
This book offers practical advice and guidance on parenting adopted children, including addressing issues of identity, attachment, and the impact of adoption on family dynamics.
“Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self” by David M. Brodzinsky, Marshall D. Schechter, and Robin Marantz Henig
This book explores the psychological and emotional aspects of adoption and offers insights into the experiences of adopted individuals throughout their lives.
“Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish They Knew: Everything Adoptive Parents Need to Know” by Sherrie Eldridge
Aimed at both adoptive parents and adopted children, this book shares insights into the experiences and needs of adopted children from the perspective of an adopted person.
“Adoptive Families: A Guide to Finding and Raising Your Child” by Patricia R. H. Hosenpud
A comprehensive guide covering various aspects of adoption, including the process, parenting strategies, and addressing the needs of adopted children.
“Raising Adopted Children: A Manual for Adoptive Parents” by Lois Ruskai Melina
This book offers practical advice and guidance on parenting adopted children, including addressing issues of identity, attachment, and the impact of
adoption on family dynamics.
“The Open Adoption Experience” by Lois Ruskai Melina and Sharon Kaplan Roszia
This book is a guide for Adoptive and Birth families – from making the decision through the Child’s growing years.
“Adopted Teens Only: A Survival Guide to Adolescence” by Dr. Mark J. Lindahl and Dr. Sue H. Lindahl
Focused on adopted teenagers, this book provides guidance for both parents and teens on navigating the challenges of adolescence in the context of
adoption.
The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption: Helping Your Child Grow Up Whole by Lori Holden and Crystal Hass
This book talks about the value of open adoption for all parties, but also ways to maintain openness in a variety of situations (closed adoptions, safety issues, etc.)
“Adoption Is a Family Affair: What Relatives and Friends Must Know” by Patricia Martinez Dorner
This book provides guidance for adoptive parents and their extended families on how to support and understand the adoption process and its impact on family relationships.
“In On It: What Adoptive Parents Would Like You to Know About Adoption” by Elizabeth O’Toole
Written from the perspective of an adoptive parent, this book offers candid advice and insights into the adoption experience, aimed at helping friends and family understand and support adoptive families.
“The Baby Thief” by Barbara Bisantz Raymond
The Baby Thief is an investigative narrative centered on Georgia Tann, a woman who corrupted the US adoption system for decades.
“Taken at Birth: Stolen Babies, Hidden Lies, and My Journey to Finding Home ” by Jane Blasio
Jane Blasio, adopted as a baby, learned about her adoption at six and saw her birth certificate for the first time at fourteen. This sparked a decades-long investigation to uncover her origins and reunite other victims of the Hicks Clinic human trafficking scheme.
Trans Racial Adoption Books
“In Their Own Voices: Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories” by Rita J. Simon and Howard Altstein
This book presents the personal narratives of transracial adoptees, providing first-hand accounts of their experiences and perspectives.
“Raising Biracial Children: A Parent’s Guide to the Unique Challenges of Transracial Parenting” by Dr. Alaina C. Davis and Dr. M. Jackson
This guide focuses on the specific challenges faced by parents raising biracial children, offering strategies for supporting their identity and well-being.
“Transracial Adoption: A Cultural Perspective” by Karen M. Kase and Lauren S. Green
This book explores the cultural aspects of transracial adoption, providing insight into how cultural identity and heritage impact both the child and the family.
“My Black is Exhausted” by Dr. Bryan K. Hotchkins
This book is authored by a Black adoptee where he identifies hoe to collectively act toward creating a world beyond racism. In order to do so, we must learn to actively identify and monitor sources of racial exhaustion then devise a plan to mediate the ensuing traumas.
“Adoption and the Psychology of Identity” by David M. Brodzinsky and Marshall D. Schechter
This book delves into the psychological aspects of adoption, including issues related to race and identity in transracial adoptions.
“The Color of Family: Transracial Adoption, Race, and Identity” by M. Y. Tatum
Tatum’s book explores the intersections of race, family, and identity, offering insights and strategies for navigating transracial adoption.
“You Should Be Grateful” by Angela Tucker
This book explores her experiences as a transracial adoptee, delving into the complexities of identity, belonging, and the impact of adoption on her life. Angela is the subject of the documentary, “Closure.”
“Being Biracial: Where Our Secret Worlds Collide” by Dr. Maria P. P. Ryan
This book provides an in-depth look at the experiences of biracial individuals, offering valuable perspectives for parents and professionals involved in transracial adoption.
“Inside Transracial Adoption: Growing Up with Difference” by Elizabeth A. Williams
Williams’ book offers a comprehensive look at the experiences of transracial adoptees and provides practical advice for adoptive parents.
“Children of the Dream: The Psychology of Multiracial Identity” by Dr. J. J. Thomas
This book explores the psychological impact of multiracial identity and offers insights that are valuable for parents raising children in transracial families.
“The Family of Adoption” by Joyce Maguire Pavao
Pavao’s book addresses various aspects of adoption, including transracial adoption, and offers practical advice on creating a supportive family environment for adopted children.
“How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi
This book explores what it means to be actively antiracist and offers actionable steps to confront and dismantle systemic racism.
“White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo
DiAngelo examines the defensive responses that white people often have when discussing racism and provides strategies for engaging in more productive conversations.
Documentaries, Films and Series
Here is a list of documentaries and films centered around adoption:
• Closure
• Twinsters
• Removed
• Somewhere in Between
• One Child Nation
• Stuck
• The Traffickers “The Dark Side of Adoption (episode 1)
• Black, White and Us
• Adoption: A Dream for Two
• The Baby Thief
• Dark Matter of Love
• One More Shot: Stories from the Frontlines of Adoption
• Tears of the Unshed
• The Last One
• Take a Chance on Me
• Children of the System
• Mothers of the Disappeared
• The Secret of the Wild Child
• A Single Man
• The Adoption
• Finding Margaret
• Long Lost Family
• Lion
• Philomena
• This is Us
• Poverty Inc.
Books about Trauma (for kids)
Here are a few books that are helpful for trauma:
The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst
This comforting book helps children understand that they are always connected to loved ones, even when they are apart or dealing with loss and trauma.
“The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn
A story about a young raccoon who is nervous about starting school, this book offers reassurance and helps children deal with separation anxiety and transitions.
“The Way I Feel” by Janan Cain
This book explores different emotions and feelings in a child-friendly way, helping children articulate and understand their emotional responses to trauma.
“A Terrible Thing Happened” by Margaret M. Holmes
This book tells the story of a young raccoon dealing with trauma after witnessing a distressing event, providing a gentle way to discuss trauma and recovery.
“When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry” by Molly Bang
It helps children understand and manage their anger, which can be a response to trauma or stress.
Books about Trauma (for adults)
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing” by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry
Explores how understanding the impact of past trauma can unlock pathways to healing and resilience through insightful conversations and expert perspectives.
“The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel van der Kolk
This seminal book explores how trauma affects the brain and body and provides insights into various therapeutic approaches for healing.
“Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving” by Pete Walker
This book provides a comprehensive guide for those suffering from complex PTSD, offering practical strategies for recovery and healing.
“The Post-Traumatic Growth Workbook: Coming Through Trauma Wiser, Stronger, and More Resilient” by Richard G. Tedeschi and Lawrence G. Calhoun
This workbook provides practical exercises for individuals seeking to harness the positive potential of trauma and achieve personal growth.
“The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child” by Nancy Newton Verrier.
In this book, Verrier, an adoptee herself, explores the emotional and psychological impact of adoption on adopted individuals, highlighting the trauma and unresolved issues that can arise from being separated from one’s birth family.
“What My Bones Know” by Stephanie Foo
A deeply personal account of the author’s journey through childhood abuse, trauma, and her path to recovery and self-discovery.