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The Spirit of Open Adoption

Posted January 3rd, 2008 by heather
Author:

James L. Gritter

Publisher:

CWLA Press

Copyright:

1997

ISBN:

978-0878686377

Pages:

314

Price:

$18.95

Rating:

8

Review:

Published in 1997, The Spirit of Open Adoption remains one of the best available presentations of the philosophy (not the mechanics) of open adoption. Gritter—a long-time social worker whose agency helped pioneer current open adoption practices—advocates for a value-based, child-centered approach to openness. Blending philosophy, spirituality, and personal experience, he makes a compelling case for ongoing, face-to-face contact. Throughout, he emphasizes the importance of honesty, respect, and mutual commitment from all participants. Realistic about the pain and possible ethical pitfalls of domestic adoption, he also recognizes its potential joys.

Gritter writes to a wide audience, including first parents, adoptive parents, adoptees and adoption professionals. As a result, the book can be unwieldy and could stand a good edit. (This, not the content, keeps me from rating it higher.) Readers willing to slog through some of the more repetitive sections, however, will discover one of the classics of open adoption literature.
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Purchase this book from the publisher

Special Adoption Awareness Month Discount:

Posted November 16th, 2007 by mickydux@earthl...

This book has received positive reviews in the newsletters of the American Adoption Congress, NACAC, PACT, and Adoptive Families’ web page. Adam Pertman,  Executive Director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, had this to say: “Every once in a while, a book comes along that can make an honest difference in the understanding of an important subject—and in people's lives. I'm delighted to say that MAKING ROOM IN OUR HEARTS is one of those books.”

MAKING ROOM IN OUR HEARTS answers the questions that adoptive and birth parents have by presenting the stories of families who share the joys and challenges of maintaining open relationships. Over 150 birth and adoptive family members, adopted children and national experts were interviewed. This book does what no other book has done: describes how important openness is from the child’s perspective. As one 19 year old put it, "I would be a completely different person if I had grown up without knowing who I was and where I came from. Open adoption has allowed me to be the person I was intended to be - with a connection to all of the people who have made me what I am.”

I hope that you will take the opportunity of November’s Adoption Awareness Month to mention this post for a 20%
discount or get a bulk discount by ordering books for your staff and clients. This book is a very user-friendly tool and I trust you will find it helpful for your staff and your clients. Please contact me if you are interested in an article or an interview for your newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you.