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Booklist Review

This book consists of two parts, the first with 14 chapters of background information about the adoption process, and the second providing a directory of adoption agencies and services. Chapters in part 1 are especially helpful for dealing with such issues as the age of the child, agency versus private adoption, international alternatives, choosing an attorney, and adoption of special-needs children. Other chapters deal with the adoption process itself, covering such issues as deciding, waiting, paperwork, adjustment difficulties after placement, and talking with the child about his or her birth parents. Part 2 provides separate lists of public and private agencies, each arranged alphabetically by state. A few paragraphs of description are given for the agencies that responded to a questionnaire. Apparently, many agencies did not answer the author's survey, and, for these, only name, address, and telephone number are listed. Characteristics and requirements of the U.S. agencies are compared in chart form in separate chapters covering infant programs and children programs. International adoptions are highlighted in separate sections for each of six areas of the world. For each country, a brief summary of adoption information is provided: numbers of children and infants available, restrictions, estimated range of costs, etc. Also listed are adoption attorneys, support groups, and newspapers that take adoption ads. The volume concludes with a name and subject index. Other recent books on this subject include Encyclopedia of Adoption [RBB F 15 92], CWLA's Guide to Adoption Agencies [RBB S 1 89], and The Adoption Directory [RBB F 1 90]. Encyclopedia of Adoption is rich in background information, but it lacks directory listings. Both the CWLA and The Adoption Directory excel in directory information but lack background articles. Libraries that bought the Encyclopedia of Adoption and either the CWLA or The Adoption Directory will not need to add Loving Journeys to the reference collection. However, this new title makes a unique contribution by discussing such recent trends and issues as private adoption, adoption by single parents and unmarried couples, and the controversy over transracial adoption. The work is written for persons considering adoption alternatives, and it serves this audience well by telling both how to adopt and where to get help. Public libraries already owning adequate reference tools on the topic should consider adding Loving Journeys to the circulating collection. (Reviewed Feb. 15, 1993)