More Reading & Resources

Web site and e-mail addresses correct as of April 2004

Books

Books concerning adoption are of several types: there are

Scholarly studies of adoption as a social institution,
Handbooks of rules and practice for social workers, lawyers and other professionals,
Novels and stories where adoption plays a role as a plot device or in the background of a character,
Books of personal experiences,
How-to books for prospective adopters (like this one),
Books on how to raise adopted children, and
Books used to help discuss adoption with children.

Your local public library and bookstore are the best places to start if you want to read more in any of these directions.

There is also a number of Internet bookstores where you can buy all kinds of adoption-related books on-line. You can try a general on-line bookstore, but many adoption web sites have their own book sales departments, while many more have bibliographies and reviews which can be used to choose contemporary books. There is little point in trying to list particular titles here, because there are new ones being published all the time and titles go out of print. I only list a few, basic titles. Adopting a Child is the absolute must basic book for all potential adopters in Britain. It is the best listing of approved adoption agencies and is the best source of current best thinking by professionals and of the legal position, although that also changes (the BAAF web site keeps up to date on agencies and legislative developments).

You need to first read to yourself any book you use to help discuss adoption with your child. Older titles can be very out-of-date in the way they treat the subject, reflecting long-gone practices and circumstances, and would be misleading to use with your child now.

The Adopter’s Handbook

by Amy Neil Salter. (London: British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, 2002).A book with much the same aim as this, but written with the official backing of BAAF, reflecting their party line. Salter is especially good on the procedural aspects of adoption and provides a wealth of information on further reading and sources of information and help. She is also an adoptive parent and a trustee of Adoption UK. See the review in Adoption Today, no. 104 (June 2002), p. 24.

Adopting a Child: A Guide for People Interested in Adoption

by Prue Chennells and Chris Hammond. 6th edition. (London: British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, 2002). Must have. The authoritative guide for British adopters, although superficial, and it tends to skate over the problems of real families. That deficiency is one of the reasons I wrote this book.

The Adoption Experience: Families Who Give Children a Second Chance

edited by Ann Morris. (London: Jessica Kingsley, 1999).This is a compilation of articles from the last ten years of Adoption Today, by real-life adopters. It includes stories of the adoption of all kinds of children by all kinds of people. This tells it like it really is on the ground.

Adoption Nation

by Adam Pertman. (Basic Books, 2000).Pertman is an award-winning journalist and adoptive father, and this title has won many awards. Although written for an American audience, it includes much material of interest to UK adopters: on inter-country adoption, identity issues for adoptees, the position of the birth parents, infertility, special needs adoption, and financial matters. See my review in Adoption Today, no. 106 (October 2002), p. 25.

Child Adoption: A Guidebook for Adoptive Parents and Their Advisers

by R.A.C. Haksbergen. (London: Jessica Kingsley, 1996). This was written by a Dutch adoption professional as a learning resource for training adoption professionals and prospective adopters. It includes many quotations from child and adult adoptees.

Considering Adoption?

by Sarah Biggs. (London: Sheldon Press, 2000).Biggs’ book is similar to mine, and also by an adoptive parent. It has more emphasis than my book on infertility issues, procedural matters, inter-country adoption, attachment and attachment problems, and the emotional side of the period after placement. See my review in Adoption & Fostering, volume 25, no. 1 (Spring 2001), p.81.

First Steps in Parenting the Child Who Hurts: Tiddlers and Toddlers, and Next Steps in Parenting the Child Who Hurts: Tykes and Teens

by Caroline Archer. (London: Jessica Kingsley, 1999).Archer is an experienced adopter and an expert in attachment disorder problems. These are essential for parents and professionals, and are recommended reading before you take a child who might have AD. Tiddlers and Toddlers is in its second edition.

Fitting the Pieces Together

by Vera Fahlberg. (London: British Association for Adoption and Fostering, 1988). Although quite old now, this is still an excellent book about helping children overcome difficult early experiences. It combines four separately-published titles: Attachment and Separation, Child Development, Helping Children When They Must Move, and The Child in Placement: Common Behavioural Problems. It isn’t a comprehensive guide to raising special-needs adopted children, but it’s an excellent starting point.

Is it Legal? A Parents’ Guide to the Law in Scotland

adapted by Joy Somerville. (Edinburgh: Scottish Parenting Forum, 2002).Includes a section of adoption law, which is different in Scotland from the rest of the UK. Contact: Scottish Parenting ForumChildren in ScotlandPrinces House5 Shandwick PlaceEdinburgh EH2 4RG

Lesbian and Gay Fostering and Adoption: Extraordinary Yet Ordinary

edited by Stephen Hicks and Janet McDermott. (London: Jessica Kingsley, 1999).Personal accounts by 17 lesbian and gay adoptive families of their experiences in being assessed and of parenting. Includes an essay drawing together themes from the personal accounts and research.

Parents for Children: Stories of Adoption

by Alice Fowler. (London: Profile Books in association with Parents for Children).This is the 25th anniversary history of the pioneering London adoption agency, placing what were then considered to be unadoptable children, since 1976. It specialises in very intensive, co-operative and long-term post-placement support of adoptive families, as well as thorough preparation before placement.

Talking about Adoption

by Prue Chennells and Marjorie Morrison. Revised edition. (London: British Association for Adoption and Fostering, 1998). A guide to explaining adoption to your child.

Why Was I Adopted?

by Carole Livingstone. New edition. (London: Angus & Robertson, 1986). Very old by now, but it isn’t dated in its outlook. Discusses adoption with humour and cartoons.

For buying multi-ethnic, non-sexist books, including titles which can help introduce adoption to children, the best mail-order service in Britain comes from the ...

Letterbox Library

Books for all ages through secondary school, and even includes some adult books. A must for all trans-racial families and those with children from overseas, as well as families with special needs children and those who want to raise socially aware, non-sexist children. One-off joining fee and small annual membership (£5.00 and £3.00 in 2002); no minimum purchases.
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