Adoption Without Fear, edited by James L. Gritter, M.S.W.a Seventeen couples give the stories of their experiences with open adoption. The reader shares in their joy and pain as they travel the road to adoption. Through these first person narratives, you come to understand what the term "open adoption" really means. (1989)
Children of Open Adoption, by Kathleen Silber, M.S.W. & Patricia Martinez Dorner, M.A., L.P.C.a This sequel to Dear Birth Mother examines the effects of open adoption on the adopted child at each stage of development: infancy, preschool, school age, and the teenage years. As with the previous book, the text is filled with excerpts from actual letter between members of the adoption triangle - birthparents, adopted children and adoptive parents. (1989)a
How to Open an Adoption: A Guide for Parents and Birth Parents of Minors, by Patricia Martinez Dorner Often adoptive families and/or birth families would like to have a more open relationship, but don't know how to achieve this. This book covers: the benefits of opening adoptions while the children are still minors; issues surrounding the request to open an adoption; getting professional assistance; preparing for and making contact; the commitment of the adults involved; when siblings do not have equally open adoptions; and much more. (1998)a
Making Sense of Adoption, by Lois Melina A resourceful book for all adoptive parents as they face various stages of adoption questions. Starting with infancy and embracing one's family into adoption this books ends with discussion of the adolescent years. This book provides many examples of ways to present difficult information in a manner that is sensitive to a child's needs, to a birthparent's struggles and to the adoptive parents' perspective. (1989)a
The Open Adoption Book, by Bruce M. Rappaport, Ph.D.a This book tells you what to expect, both emotionally and procedurally, during the course of an open adoption. It takes you step-by-step through the entire process, from the initial match between birth and adoptive parents through the final adoption. (1998)a
The Open Adoption Experience, by Lois Melina and Sharon Roszia a A thorough book covering everything you ever wanted to know about an open adoption. From making a decision to carrying it through years later. Touches on several scenarios and includes coverage of the birth parents experience. (1993)a
Openness in Adoption, by Harold D. Grotevant and Ruth G. McRoy All too often, the discussion of Openness in Adoption is based on anecdotal evidence instead of scientific research. This book presents the result of a nationwide study about open adoption, involving 720 individuals and conducted over the course of a five-year period. It should be required reading for everyone involved in the adoption process. (1998)a
Raising Adopted Children, by Lois Melina Considered a manual for adoptive parents, this book covers many aspects of the adoption experience for parents and those affected by adoption. Useful tips on how to approach several developmental stages are offered, including attention to special needs children. (1998)a
The Spirit of Open Adoption, by James L. Gritter CThis book is a candid, intensely personal and highly readable account of an agency that switched from closed to open adoptions in 1980. It traces the reasons for the change and the resulting effects on birthparents, adoptive parents, practitioners, and most importantly, the children. (1997)a
Open Adoption Pocket Guides by Brenda Romanchik
Your Rights & Responsibilities: For Expectant Parents This guide book helps expectant parents considering adoption understand the system by exploring their legal and ethical rights and responsibilities. Includes sections on adoption law and policy, things to know about the hospital stay, foster care and more. (1999)a
Birth Parent Grief Placing a child for adoption is an enormous loss that few understand. This guide takes the mystery out of the experience by helping birth parents define the loss and understanding the grieving process. This guide is not only for birth parents but for anyone who wants to help a birth parent through a difficult time. (1999)a
Being a Birth Parent: Finding Our Place What does it mean to be a birth parent in an open adoption? How has this experience changed us and how does it effect the other parts of our lives? These are just some of the questions answered in this guide. (1999)a
What is Open Adoption?a This guide defines the difference between openness in adoption and open adoption, as well as the benefits of open adoption. This book will help people understand and explain the open adoption experience. In addition, Jim Gritter, the author of The Spirit of Open Adoption, has written two pieces for this guide. (1999)a
Books: Special Needs Related
Shattered Dreams - Lonely Choices: Birthparents of Babies With Disabilities Talk About Adoption, by Joanne Finnegan This unique book is written by parents of special needs infants who have made an adoption plan for their child. This book is a good resource for both birth parents and adoptive parents.a