International Adoption
The Complete Book of International Adoption
The Complete Book of International Adoption is a step-by-step guide covering every stage of adopting from abroad, from deciding if adoption is right for you to easing your child’s transition home. It explains differences between domestic and international adoption, compares countries, outlines health concerns, and offers practical tools for paperwork, travel, and parenting. Blending research, real stories, and wise, often witty advice, this comprehensive resource prepares families for both the logistics and emotions of international adoption.
Adopting Alyosha
In this heartfelt memoir, Robert Klose shares his journey as a single man determined to adopt, navigating three challenging years through the international adoption process. Blending travelogue, journal, and love story, he recounts how he finally welcomed his son from Russia—a life-changing experience. His follow-up, Adopting Anton, continues the story with the adoption of his second son from Ukraine. Both books offer inspiration and practical insight for single men pursuing adoption.
With An Open Heart
In this moving memoir, Lisa and Jim Murphy share their faith-filled journey of adopting Daniel, a little boy with a serious heart condition from a Chinese orphanage. Their story is one of love, loss, courage, and unexpected miracles—marked by both profound joy and deep challenges. With honesty and hope, Lisa recounts how trusting in God’s greater plan brought blessings beyond imagination. An inspirational read for families facing uncertainty on the adoption journey.
Love at the Border: An Adoption Adventure
In this candid 15-year memoir, Anna Maria DiDio shares her family’s journey of adopting Priscilla, a six-year-old from a Mexican orphanage. Though Priscilla longed for a home, leaving behind her birth mother, caregivers, culture, and friends was heartbreaking. DiDio reflects on the struggles and joys of building connection, navigating loss, and creating family across borders. A moving, behind-the-scenes look at international adoption, recommended for readers seeking inspiration and honesty.
Beyond Good Intentions: A Mother Reflects on Raising Internationally Adopted Children
This essay collection explores ten common pitfalls that well-meaning adoptive parents may encounter, from dismissing a child’s past to believing race doesn’t matter or appropriating heritage. With honesty and insight, it addresses the complex realities transracial and international adoptive families face, offering guidance to navigate these challenges with greater awareness and care.
A Euro-American on a Korean Tour at a Thai Restaurant in China
This honest memoir follows one mother’s journey to bridge her two transracially, internationally adopted children with their birth culture. While not solely a parenting or transracial adoption book, its powerful chapter on race makes it a standout. Winston shares the challenges and triumphs of creating a truly dual-culture family—going far beyond culture camps or cooking lessons—and ultimately founded the Korean Adoptee/Adoptive Network. A thoughtful, inspiring read for parents seeking deeper cultural connection for their children.
From Beyond the Skies
Juli Boit’s memoir tells the story of welcoming Ryan, a newborn whose mother died in childbirth in Kenya, into her family through international adoption. When Ryan and two siblings were later diagnosed with sickle cell disease, she and her husband Titus began the difficult journey of securing the best possible care. A moving story of love, courage, and the unexpected new life discovered in the darkest places.
Somewhere Sisters
This powerful true story follows newborn twin girls separated at birth in 1998—one raised in rural Vietnam, the other adopted by a wealthy American family and renamed Isabella. When Isabella’s adoptive mother discovers her twin, their lives are forever changed. An NPR Best Book of 2022, it’s a beautifully written, moving story of sisterhood, identity, and redefining family across cultures and continents.
The Russian Word for Snow: A True Story of Adoption
This beautifully written memoir follows a family’s journey to adopt a little boy from Russia in the 1990s, when international adoptions there were just beginning. Despite doctors’ warnings, their instincts and one supportive physician gave them courage to move forward. Vividly set in Russia, the story captures both the challenges and the profound love that shaped their family. A must-read adoption story.
Mamalita: An Adoption Memoir
Though centered on a Guatemalan adoption, O’Dwyer’s memoir speaks to all adoptive parents, especially those adopting internationally. What sets it apart is the thoughtful way she addresses the ethical gray areas of international adoption—without defensiveness or oversimplification. Instead, she invites readers to wrestle with the hard questions alongside her. Well-written and compelling, it’s a must-read for anyone seeking an honest exploration of adoption’s complexities.
Role Models Who Look Like Me
This book is so well done. The illustrations are beautiful, and the stories are easy enough for new readers, but it would also be a great read-aloud to discuss the lives of the featured role models. Cho manages to convey the gravity of their contributions to history without making the stories too complex or overly detailed for younger readers. It’s an inspiring read that might just make parents want to dig a little deeper for themselves.
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