General Adoption Books
Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self
One of the first books, and still one of the best, to explore the lifelong impact of being adopted and to normalize the questions many adoptees feel. Blending psychological and educational theory, the authors validate common questions adoptees face while guiding parents toward a deeper understanding. Widely regarded as life-affirming, it remains essential reading for adoptive families.
Twenty Things Adoptive Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
Written by adoptee Sherrie Eldridge, this book offers a compassionate perspective on adoption from the adoptee’s point of view. Eldridge outlines twenty emotional issues adopted children face, from grieving loss to seeking honest information about their birth families. With warmth and candor, she gives voice to unspoken concerns and guides parents in nurturing their children, helping them overcome fear, abandonment, and shame. A must-read for adoptive parents seeking a deeper understanding.
The Post-Adoption Blues: Overcoming the Unforeseen Challenges of Adoption
The Post-Adoption Blues addresses the challenges parents face in the months following adoption, including the often-overlooked Post Adoption Depression Syndrome. With honesty and compassion, the authors normalize the stress and unmet expectations many families experience while offering hope and guidance through the transition. This book is an invaluable resource for adoptive parents adjusting to new family life.
Modern Families: Parents and Children in New Family Forms
In Modern Families, Dr. Susan Golombok—one of the world’s leading researchers on family structures—presents decades of research showing that children in “new” families, including those formed through IVF, donor conception, surrogacy, or same-sex parenting, thrive just as well as in traditional families. Written in an engaging and accessible style, the book makes complex research fascinating and highlights what truly makes families strong. A must-read for anyone interested in modern parenting.
The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption: Helping Your Child Grow Up Whole
This book reframes open adoption as more than occasionally sending photos, emails, updates, and arranging visits—it’s a lifestyle centered on the child’s best interest. While it offers practical guidance, its true strength lies in capturing the spirit of openness and connection. Honest about the challenges yet deeply encouraging, it is an essential read for adoptive and expectant parents beginning their journey.
Adopting: Sound Choices, Strong Families
In this essential guide, Johnston helps prospective parents navigate the lifelong decision of adoption. She outlines four key phases: resolving personal issues, recognizing how adoptive families differ from biological ones, making informed choices about adoption types, and preparing for the process and life afterward. Honest and practical, this book is a must-read for anyone just beginning to consider adoption or entering the early stages of the journey.
Adoption is a Family Affair! What Relatives and Friends Must Know
This concise guide is packed with essential information for friends and family of adoptive parents, covering who can adopt, why people choose adoption, and how children understand it as they grow. Perfect for sharing when announcing an adoption, it helps answer common—and sometimes intrusive—questions while fostering support and understanding. A practical, time-saving resource for every adoptive family.
Making Sense of Adoption: A Parent’s Guide
Making Sense of Adoption by Lois Melina helps parents understand and respond to the common, often unspoken concerns adopted children face. Covering sensitive questions—like when to share birth family letters, how much history to disclose, and how to balance conversations about adoption—the book offers practical guidance that strengthens self-esteem and family connection. A thoughtful, essential read for adoptive parents. We also recommend The Open Adoption Experience – A Complete Guide for Adoptive and Birth Families and Raising Adopted Children, Revised Edition: Practical Reassuring Advice for Every Adoptive Parent by this author.
While We Wait: Spiritual and Practical Advice for Those Trying to Adopt
Written by a mother who experienced the challenges of adoption firsthand, this book offers spiritual support for prospective parents waiting for a child. Each chapter includes reflections and prayers addressing issues like the decision to adopt, coping with holidays, managing emotions, and sustaining hope during the wait. Compassionate and faith-filled, it provides comfort, coping strategies, and spiritual grounding for those enduring the difficult waiting period.
Labor of the Heart: A Parent’s Guide to Decisions and Emotion in Adoption
Drawing on her expertise as a developmental psychologist and adoptive mother, Dr. Whitten guides parents through the emotional complexities of adoption. She addresses grief, anger, fear, and guilt—feelings that often cloud decision-making during this life-changing process. By separating fact from fiction, Whitten provides clarity, reassurance, and steady guidance for prospective parents navigating the emotional rollercoaster of adoption.
A Daughter To Many
This powerful memoir follows an adoptee through childhood trauma, abuse, and eventual placement in a faith-based residential school, where she found hope and healing. As an adult, her search for family history revealed life-changing truths. With strong faith-based themes, the book offers inspiration and resilience, though it may not resonate with every family.
A Love-Stretched Life
Blending her experiences as a parent by adoption, foster care, and birth, the author shares honest stories of navigating life’s unexpected challenges. She offers encouragement, practical advice on prioritizing connection and acceptance, and guidance for advocating on behalf of vulnerable children in the foster system. Hopeful and compassionate, this book supports families caring for children through life’s “in-between” moments.
Adoption, It’s Worth It!
Written by a child welfare expert with over twenty years of experience, this guide helps adoptive parents explain adoption to young children ages birth to five. With practical tips, note sections for reflection, and supportive advice, it equips parents to approach the topic with confidence and care. A valuable resource on its own, it also pairs well with the author’s children’s book Chocolate Chip Cookies, Anyone?
Extraordinary: Stories of Adopting Children With Down Syndrome
Extraordinary shares the stories of thirteen families who adopted children with Down Syndrome, highlighting both struggles and profound joys. Emphasizing that these children are more alike than different, the book also includes a helpful resource guide covering adoption processes and financial assistance. With all proceeds supporting the “Say Yes” Downright Lovable grant for Down Syndrome adoption, it is an inspiring and practical resource for families considering this journey.
Adoption Memoirs
Adoption Memoirs presents 45 personal stories from birthmothers, adoptees, and adoptive parents, offering an authentic look at both same-race and transracial adoption. Covering a wide range of experiences and emotions, the book advocates for open records and highlights the importance of connections between adoptees and birth families. Enlightening for those without experience in adoption and to help readers gain a deeper understanding of adoption, providing shared experiences for those on the journey.
Adoption Guide: Baby or Not Here We Grow Journal
This keepsake journal offers guided prompts and resources for every stage of the adoption process, giving parents a safe, organized space to reflect on both challenges and joys. Beyond helping parents process their experience, it creates a meaningful record to one day share with their child. A thoughtful tool for adoptive families, it also pairs well with Our Adoption Story: A Keepsake Baby Child Record Book and Journal.
Adoption Unfiltered
Drawing on interviews with adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, and allies, this book offers candid insight into the challenges and benefits of adoption. Honest and balanced, it highlights the complexities of adoption relationships and underscores the need for curiosity, empathy, and collaboration among everyone in the adoption constellation. An eye-opening and supportive resource for adoptees and families alike.
Found: Adopted Friends Search for their Birth Families
Found follows adoptees Trish Diggins and Sherri Craig-Evans as they use DNA kits and social media to locate their birth parents—only to discover that building relationships was the greater challenge. Written in a warm, conversational style, the book captures the emotional highs and lows of reconnecting with biological relatives. Relatable and honest, it offers insight into the complexities of modern adoption searches.
The Children Money Can Buy: Stories from the Frontlines of Foster Care and Adoption
Part memoir, part analysis, The Children Money Can Buy follows Dr. Anne Moody’s lifelong work in adoption and foster care. Both a social worker and an adoptive mother, Moody offers a candid look at the darker side of adoption—such as profit-driven practices—while also highlighting progress like the growth of open adoption. With compelling behind-the-scenes stories spanning domestic, international, and foster adoption, this book provides an honest, nuanced perspective and is an excellent read for anyone exploring adoption.
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