Book List


About Birth Mothers

The Girls Who Went Away
Ann Fessler

Ms. Fessler’s book is a landmark book which recounts the “baby-scoop” era in the United States which occurred in the 50’s, 60s and 70s.

For birth mothers who “went away” or relinquished babies during that period of time, this book is a chilling account of that time in history. Ms. Fessler interviewed 100 women for her book. and interspersed their stories with factual details of the era. Her book is riveting, shocking and sad; it is reality.

The Same Smile
Susan Mello Souza

Susan is sixteen, unmarried and pregnant and about to make a choice no woman should ever be forced to make—surrender the precious child she is carrying to adoption. A promise is made, and then, years later, that promise is broken when, yet again, tragedy strikes in her life. This is her true story.

About Adoptees

Chasing Away the Shadows
Zara Phillips

"An Adoptee’s Journey to Motherhood" began as a personal journal kept by singer/songwriter Zara Phillips as she struggled for identity through the waning years of the "closed adoption" era.

For birth mothers to gain some insight into the adoptee experience: Twenty Life Transforming Choices Adoptees Need to Make by Sherrie Eldridge

“Coming Home to Self – The Adopted Child Grows Up”
by Nancy Verrier

"The Primal Wound"
by Nancy Verrier

"Primal Wound" has been a controversial book from its initial introduction on the adoption scene. People love it, some hate it - and others are somewhere in the middle. It does not apply to every adoptee, but many feel that it makes total sense to them. Her second book "Coming Home to Self" is directed more towards ways to heal and is full of good insights.

“Being Adopted"
by Brodzinsky, Schechter, and Henig

Birth Fathers

“Transparent: Seeing Through the Legacy of Adoption”
by birth father Gary Coles.

This book has been described as a landmark book. For the first time, “it exposes the benefits of the three members of the family of origin working collaboratively to mend the wounds caused by their separation.”

Search and Reunion

  1. "Birthbond" by Judith S. Gediman and Linda P. Brown
    Reunions Between Birth parents and Adoptees, What Happens After
  2. "Birthright" is one of two very insightful and useful books by Jean Strauss.
  3. "The Adoption Reunion Survival Guide" by Bailey & Giddens
  4. "Adoption Wisdom" by Marlou Russell is a helpful book for both adoptees and birth parents.

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Credits: Jan Baker