Gr 8 Up-A thorough, readable, general introduction to the topic, followed by first-person narratives featuring a variety of opinions on many of the controversies surrounding adoption. The book explores such diverse issues as gay adoptive parents, open and transracial adoptions, the search for and reunion with birthparents, custody battles, and more. The editors have done an excellent job of selecting 16 lively, articulate, and poignant essays by birthparents, adoptive parents, and adoptees, all offering different perspectives on the process. The lists of books, Web sites, and organizations to consult for further information are invaluable for researchers as well as for those grappling with these issues. Roman Espejo's Adoption (Gale, 2002) offers expert legal and psychological information and opinions. Adam Pertman's Adoption Nation (Basic Bks, 2001) sorts out the often confusing amount of information about adoption. Though excellent resources, neither of those books offers the brevity or the unfiltered, haunting stories found here.-Deborah Vose, Highlands Elementary School, Braintree, MA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
