Making Sense of Adoption: A Parent's Guide by Lois Ruskai Melina.  HarperTrade, 1989.  ISBN:  0060963190

A practical guide for adoptive parents which integrates the normal developmental tasks of each development stage with the adoption life cycle.  The author, herself an adoptive parent, provides guidance and sample conversations for effective communication between parents and children about adoption.  

Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child   by Holly van Gulden and Lisa Bartels-Rabb.  Crossroad Publishing Company, 1995.  ISBN:  0824515145  

This classic provides a foundation for understanding the psychological development of the adoptee and the life long challenges for adoptive families  

Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child: Making Sense of the Past    Making Sense of the Past by  Jayne E. Schooler and Betsy E. Keefer.  Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., 2000.  ISBN:  0897896912

This book is based on the importance of honesty, the child's best interests, and the goal of enabling adopted children to grow up to be well-adjusted and secure adults.  A new, but destined to be a classic, book which provides strategies to adoptive and foster parents about effective communication with children throughout their lifetime about the complex aspects of their past history.  

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Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution Is Transforming America   Pertman, Adam.  Basic Books, 2000.  ISBN:  0465056504

This new book from journalist and adoptive father, Adam  Pertman, is an overview of how American culture influences, and is impacted by adoption.

Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self by David Brodzinsky, Marshall Schechter and Robin Henig.  Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1993.  ISBN:  0385414269

Focuses on the themes of the adoptee experience, understanding psychological and social development, loss as a foundation in adoption, search for self and identity, and the issue of what is "normal."  This book addresses the complexity of the challenges of adoption throughout the life cycle.

Journey of the Adopted Self: A Quest for Wholeness by Betty Jean Lifton.  Perseus Books, L.L.C., 1995.  ISBN:  0465036759.

Based on the author's personal experiences as well as research studies of adult adoptees, this book explores the psychological experiences of adoptees and promotes the belief that the search for biological and historical roots and information is a journey toward feeling whole.

The Family of Adoption  by Joyce Maguire Pavao.  Beacon Press, 1999.  ISBN:  0807028010

This insightful and healing book considers the perspective of the entire family system and presents an empathetic perspective of each member's experience in the adoption life cycle.  The author is herself an adoptee as well as a leading innovator of therapeutic services for adoptive and birth families.

The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child by  Nancy Newton Verrier.  Verrier Publications, 1997.  ISBN:  0963648004

Adoptees' feelings are validated and helps members of the adoption triad, as well as adoption professionals, gain insight to the experience of the adoptee.  Information about pre and perinatal psychology, attachment, bonding, and loss helps the reader to understand the impact on the adopted child's separation from their birthmother.

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Birthmothers: Women Who Have Relinquished Babies for Adoption Tell Their Stories  Merry B. Jones.  iUniverse.com, Incorporated, 2000.  ISBN: 059500637X

Personal experiences of a variety of birthmothers whose children have been adopted.  Their stories inform all members of the adoption triad about the challenges which birthmothers face when they choose not to parent their  birthchildren.

The Other Mother: A Woman's Love for the Child She Gave up for Adoption    
A Woman's Love for the Child She Gave up for Adoption  by Carol Schaefer.  New York:  Soho Press, 1992.  ISBN:  0939149753

A first-hand account of a birthmother's experience informs other birthparents, adoptive parents, and adult adoptees about the psychological and social challenges facing a birthparent through her life, and how insight about this perspective can help adoptive families.

Pregnant?1885356099:Product Link on Barnes & Noble.com.  Adoption is an Option:  Making an adoption Plan for a Child by Jeanne Warren Lindsay and Jami Moffett.  Morning Glory Press, Inc.1996.  ISBN:  1885356099

Since current trends include birthparents taking more responsibility in planning for their child's adoptive placement and choosing to participate in ongoing contact with the adoptive family, this book helps birthparents to value professional support in helping them to decide whether or not to parent a child and explore ways they can have an active role in an adoption plan.

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The Adoption Resource Book: 006055097X:Product Link on Barnes & Noble.com.  Everything You Ought to Know About Creating an Adoptive Family by Lois Gilman, HarperTrade Publisher, 1987.  Edition Desc:  Rev. ed., 1998.   ISBN:  006055097X

This book is an excellent resource guide of compiled information for prospective parents which includes information of domestic and international adoption agencies, parent groups, exchanges and public service offices.  Also includes suggestion for decision making about adoption options.

  Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft  Mary Hopkins Best.  Perspectives Press, 1998.  ISBN:  0944934218

This best seller educates families  on parenting a toddler, the rewards of discovering who children are and how to influence their values and interests and how this differs from infant adoption.

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Adopting After Infertility    The Decision, The Commitment, The Experience by Patricia Irwin Johnston.  Indiana:  Perspectives Press, 1996.  ISBN: 0944934102

The lifelong impact of creating a family through adoption after the profound sense of loss experienced by individuals who have had infertility problems is examined.   The book includes information about people who have struggled with the decision to adopt, and how they moved on to adoption.

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The Lost Daughters of China: Abandoned Girls, Their Journey to America, and the Search for a Missing Past   by Karin Evans.  Putnam Publishing Group, 2000.  ISBN:  1585420263

More than 18,000 Chinese children, mostly girls, have been adopted by American parents. This book examines the emotional challenges and political issues inherent in adoptive families with Chinese children. This book addresses the issue of abandonment and loss of cultural connections while including personal experiences of adoptive families.

When You Were Born in China: A Memory Book for Children Adopted from China by Sara Dorow and Stephen Wunrow, Yeong & Yeong Book Company, 1997.  ISBN: 096384721X

A photo-essay book appropriate for children ages six and up and adoptive parents to learn about the process of adopting a child in China, and how and why a Chinese child has come to be part of an American family.

When You Were Born in Korea by Brian Boyd and Steephen Wunrow.  Yeong & Yeong Book Company, 1993.  ISBN: 0963847201

A book with both text and photographs appropriate for children ages six and up and their parents to understand about a child’s life in Korea before their adoption and how they were adopted by an American family.

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The Handbook for Single Adoptive Parents.0963404520:Product Link on Barnes & Noble.com.

 Hope Marindin.  Publisher:  National Council for Single Adoptive Parents, 1998.  Edition Desc:  7th.  ISBN:  0963404520

An important resource for anyone considering becoming a single adoptive parent as well as single adoptive parents who are currently parenting a child.  This book addresses the adoption process, single parenthood challenges and joys, and strategies for effective parenting.

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The Open Adoption Experience: A Complete Guide for Adoptive and Birth Families--from Making the Decision through the Child's Growing Years   Lois Ruskai  Melina  and Sharon Kaplan Roszia.  HarperTrade    Pub., 1993.  ISBN:  0060969571

An excellent guide covering all aspects and stages of the process of open adoption and addressing the relationships and challenges for both adoptive and birth families and the adoptee throughout his/her development from infancy through adolescence.

Dear Birthmother; Thank You for Our Baby Kathleen  Silber and Phylis Speedlin.  Corona Publishing Co.,1998.  ISBN:  0931722209

A classic book that has been updated to reflect current practices in open adoption, and provides practical suggestions for initiating and maintaining an open adoption.  Includes correspondence between adoptive and birth parents.

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How It Feels to Be Adopted by Jill Krementz.  Alfred A. Knopf Publishers, 1988.  ISBN: 0394758536

This book is recommended with good reason and it's one of the best.  Nineteen youngsters describe How it Feels to Be Adopted.  They explain, from an adolescents' point of view, both the good and the adverse sides about being adopted.

The Face in the Mirror: Teens and Adoption  Teens and Adoption by Marion Crook, 2000.  ISBN: 1551520796

A great book for parents and teens to explore issues surrounding adoption which challenge teens as they strive to understand their identity, their roots and sense of belonging to their family.

Who Am I?: And Other Questions of Adopted Kids Vol. 1.  by Charlene C. Giannetti and Larry Ross (Illustrator).  Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 1999.  ISBN: 084317529X

Straight talk from kids and young adults about their feelings about being adopted. This book addresses identity issues and the questions young adoptees have.

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Birthbond: Reunions between Birthparents and Adoptees-What Happens After Judith S. Gediman and Linda P. Brown, Joan S. Dunphy (Editor).  New Jersey:  New Horizon, 1991.   ISBN:  0882820729

Explores the complex relationships and challenges for birthparents and adoptees as they move past the search and reunion stage.

Search: A Handbook for Adoptees and Birthparents Jayne Askin.  Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., October 1999.  ISBN:  ISBN: 1573561150

Provides information and resources about the process of searches and reunions, and explores the emotional challenges for both adoptees and birthparents.

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Adopting the Hurt Child; Hope for Families with Special-Needs Kids  by Gregory C. Keck and Regina M. Kupecky.  NavPress Publishing Group, 1998.  ISBN:  1576830942

A valuable book for adoptive and foster parents, adoption professionals and others who parent or interact with children with special needs who have experienced multiple placements, losses, neglect and abuse, and attachment disorder.

Maybe You Know My Kid?: A Parents' Guide to Identifying, Understanding, and Helping Your Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder  A Parents Guide:  Helping Your Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder  by Mary Cahill Fowler.    New York:  Carol Publishing Group, 1998 Edition Desc: REV.  ISBN: 1559724900

A great resource for any parent whose child may be diagnosed with ADHD or has received this diagnosis.  This book addresses the full spectrum of issues relating to ADHD from symptoms, diagnosis, behavior management, treatment interventions, and coping strategies for the family.

Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children  by Daniel A.  Hughes.  Jason Aronson Publishers, 1999.  ISBN:  0765702371

The author realistically demonstrates the experiences of children with poor attachments.  He offers practical strategies and interventions to assist families and mental health practitioners help children develop and enhance attachment and relationships.

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In Their Own Voices : Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories  Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories by Rita J. Simon and Rhonda M. Roorda.  Columbia University Press, 2000.  ISBN:  0231118295

Personal stories of Black and Bi-Racial young adults who were adopted as children by Caucasian parents reveal how being adopted transracially affected the adoptees throughout their lives.  An insider's perspective on family influences, social and racial identity, and how the transracial experience impacted the adoptees' adult lifestyle decisions.

Inside Transracial Adoption by Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall.  Perspective Press:  The Infertility and Adoption Publisher, 2000.  ISBN:  0944934242

A new and comprehensive book which combines personal experience, academic research, and the sociological perspective of American race relations by the co-directors of Pact-An Alliance, an agency which serves the  transracial adoption community.  This book offers guidance for prospective and experienced adoptive parents striving to create culturally competent families.

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A Mother for Choco  by Keiko Kasza.  Putnam Publishing Group, 1996.  ISBN: 0698113640

A delightful book for children ages 2 to 8 which celebrates the differences between adoptive parents and children and validates the place of the adoptive mother in a child's life.

Let's Talk About It: Adoption by Fred Rogers and Jim Judkis.  The Putnam Publishing Group 1998.  ISBN: 0698116259

With the compassion and sensitivity of television's beloved Mr. Rogers, this book for children ages 4 to 8 and their parents, addresses the questions children have about being adopted and their need to feel secure in their adoptive families.

Tell Me Again about the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell.  HarperCollins, Children's Books, 2000.  ISBN: 0064435814

A beautiful story describing how a child is adopted into a loving and nurturing family.   (Includes illustrations) 

Twice-Upon-A-Time: Born and Adopted Born and Adopted by Eleanora Patterson Barbara Ernst Prey (Illustrator).  ISBN: 0960743219

Helps children to get a better understanding of conception, pregnancy and birth, and adoption.

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