I purchased this book because I have two adopted children, ages 8 and 4. Although both my children are aware they were adopted, I wanted to get some insight as to how adopted children feel and think about it. I also wanted to know what to expect (if anything) during the coming years. I adopted my children when they were 8 days old and 2 months old respectively so, until I started reading this book, I didn't realize that children who were adopted as an infant may begin to act out later on because they feel they don't fit in etc. I was always under the impression that the only children who acted out were the ones that were abused/neglected prior to being adopted. However, once I started reading this book I realized some children act out and are more or less mad because they feel rejected by their birth mother. This was very upsetting to me and I stopped reading the book. I intend to finish it....but not now. Although I stopped reading the book for now, I've made a point of bringing up the topic of adoption more often and opening the door for any questions or curiosities they may have. I think this book has some very good and helpful information in it but at this point, I'm not ready to finish reading it.

This is the essential adoption book. This book should be compulsory reading for all adoptive parents and prospective adoptive parents. It takes you inside the adoption experience from the adopted childs' perspective, yet still gives hope and practical tools to the parent. Sherrie Eldridge gives voice to the fears adoptees hold in an easy to understand way while also guiding parents through the process of enabling their child to heal. What this book does not do is cause adoptive parents to feel like the bad guys of the adoption triad. This book is destined to become a reference book for adoption, referrred to at each developmental stage, as parents journey with their children on the road to adulthood.

This writer is an adopted person herself from America. For someone that has a successful adoption experience this book made you feel as though you are a minority. The issues raised are valid, but are reflecting the writers personal experience and those of her clients in therapy. Once this was realised the read was easier, however still very American. For someone waiting to adopt an Australian child from infancy, there are probably better books out there.

The book is ok if you are an adult adoptee who wants to blame every problem you have encountered in life on being adopted. I felt that it doesn't instill accountability for one's actions. Being an adoptee and adoptive parent myself, I felt the book emphasized too much on the negatives and didn't focus on the wonderful aspects of being adopted or adopting. I give this piece an average rating.