During the last few posts, I’ve been sharing about my experiences at the International Christian Retail Show, where I learned about some upcoming adoption books. While I was there, I obtained a recent copy of Publishers Weekly, which reviews a general-market book about adoption. Here’s what PW has to say:

Family Wanted: Stories of Adoption, Edited by Sara Holloway (August 2006, Random, $14.95)
This anthology is comprised of 24 essays and two fictional pieces on adoption. The book is divided into sections about being an adopted child, placing a child for adoption and becoming an adoptive parent.

I’m Pregnant…Now What?: Heartfelt Advice on Getting Through an Unplanned Pregnancy, by Ruth Graham and Sara Dormon (2004, Regal)
While this book has been out for a couple of years, it’s new to me. The authors say they wholeheartedly support adoption, but believe with equal passion that there must be long-term support for birthmothers. This book is about supporting and encouraging the birthmother, regardless of the choice she makes. I can’t wait to read this book…it looks to be an intriguing combination of personal experiences (Ruth’s daughter, Windsor, placed her baby for adoption), and Sara chimes in with her expertise as a clinical phychologist specializing in crisis pregnancies.

Mom, Dad…I’m Pregnant, by Jayne Schooler (2004, NavPress, $13.99)
This book would be an excellent companion to I’m Pregnant…Now What? Jayne’s daughter also experienced an unplanned pregnancy. But unlike the above book, this one is intended for the parents of the young woman who becomes pregnant.

Empowering Your Child Who Has Special Needs by Debbie Salter Goodwin (2006, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City)
This isn’t an adoption book, but since a high percentage of adoptive parents have children with special needs, they might find this book helpful. Debbie’s daughter has special needs, so she writes from experience, addressing “the problems with enabling or guild-based attitudes and actions that trap parents and their child in unhealthy co-dependencies.” She looks at the “special needs” that parents require—love, understanding, support, and encouragement.

The book is chock-full of tips, strategies and ideas for empowering, rather than enabling your child. It includes chapters on grieving, balancing family needs, surviving school, negotiating the medical maze, and prayer.

Lifegiving by Tammy Maltby with Tamra Farah (2002, Moody Publishers, $11.99)
Tammy is an adoptive mom and while this book is not an adoption book, it does contain several adoption stories. There is also a Lifegiving Journal that you can purchase separately from the book. Although I haven’t read it yet, the book appears to be somewhat devotional in nature, with lots of thought-provoking topics that woman can contemplate or journal about.