Adopting : Sound Choices, Strong Families By Patricia Irwin Johnston

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Review by Allison Martin

Patricia Irwin Johnston's seminal book Adoption: Sound Choices, Strong Families provides sound advice and thoughtful analysis of adoption as a way to building a family - from coping with infertility and deciding to adopt, through the ups and downs of the adoption process, and into the realities of raising your family. While her focus is on people considering adoption, this well-written, fascinating discourse would be beneficial to anyone involved in adoption, including professionals working in the field of adoption and adoptive families.

Pat Johnston, a well known adoption publisher and advocate, has long been a force in adoption education. Her lengthy discourse on adoption proves her to be an able and thoughtful writer, as well. Based on an in-depth knowledge of adoption history, theory, and practice, plus years of interaction with all members of the adoption triad, this is a book that is sure to engross anyone interested in adoption. Sometimes controversial, oftentimes wise, your understanding of building families through adoption will be greatly enhanced by consideration of the important issues raised in this seminal, wide-ranging tome.

One of the unusual features of the book, Adopting, is that it is extremely helpful for all types of adoption: private, direct, agency, foster-adopt and public; inside the United States and International; babies, toddlers and older child adoption; and same or different race/culture. The breadth and depth of this book is tremendous; it ranges from a discussion of infertility, the realities of adoption and whether it is the right option for you; through the emotional journey and practicalities of the adoption process; and into many aspects of being an adoptive family. Bonding, your child's health, emotional journeys, pitfalls, history of adoption, adoption ethics, media and public views of adoption, school concerns, raising confident children, race, and many other key issues are just some of the important topics covered in Adopting. Highly recommended, this is a book that is sure to be referred to by both adoption professionals and adoptive parents for years to come.

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