Further reading for birth relatives

Many people who have been touched by adoption have found books about it tremendously helpful. The following is a selection of the wide range of reading material that is available.

Most of these books are available from major bookshops or websites such as Amazon. Many public libraries can order books they don't have in stock free of charge for you.

Books for birth relatives

• Bouchier, Patricia et al., 'Parting With A Child For Adoption: The mother's perspective', BAAF, 1991, ISBN: 0903534991 - Birth mother's stories about losing a child to adoption.
• Howe, David et al., 'Half A Million Women: Mothers who lose their children by adoption', Penguin, 1992, ISBN: 0140154159 - Analysis, case histories and interviews of mothers who have had their children adopted.
• Powell, Sue and Warren, Jacky, 'The Easy Way Out: Birth mothers of adopted children - the hidden side of adoption', Minerva, 1997, ISBN: 1861060580 - Birth mother's stories about losing a child to adoption.
• Robinson, Evelyn, 'Adoption and Loss: The Hidden Grief', Jacobyte Books, 2000, ISBN: 1740530004 - The author's story of losing a son to adoption and their reunion.
• Wells, Sue, 'Within Me - Without Me: Adoption - An open and shut case?', Scarlett Press, 1994, ISBN: 1857270428 - Explores the impact of adoption on birth mothers.
• Wicks, Ben, 'Yesterday They Took My Baby: True stories of adoption', Lime Tree, 1993, ISBN: 0413455114 - Stories from birth parents and adoptees.

Books about tracing and reunion

• Armstrong, Campbell, 'All That Really Matters', Time Warner, 2002, ISBN: 0751530794 - touching story about the author's ex-wife being reunited with her daughter when they both had cancer.
• Arnott, Paul, 'A Good Likeness: A personal story of adoption', Abacus, 2001, ISBN: 0349113289 - Story of the author's search for his birth mother.
• Begley, Vincent, 'Missing Links: The true story of an adoptee's search for his birth parents', Claycomb, 1989, ISBN: 0933905068 - Story of the author's search for his birth parents.
• Collins, Pauline, 'Letter To Louise: A loving memoir to the daughter I gave up for adoption 25 years ago', Harper Collins, 1992, ISBN: 0060165898 - Story of a famous birth mother's reunion with her daughter.
• Colman, Kay, ‘Elephants Never Forget: Relationships between birth parents and adoptees', Signat, 1998, ISBN: 1902138066 - Advice for birth mothers in the process of being reunited with their lost children.
• Feast, Marwood and Seabrook, Web, 'Preparing for Reunion: Experiences of contact after adoption', The Children's Society, 1998, ISBN: 1899783091 - Emotional preparation for making contact with relatives lost to adoption.
• Jean Lifton, Betty, 'Lost And Found: The Adoption Experience', Perennial, 1988, ISBN: 0060971320 - Analysis of the process and emotions of tracing a relative lost to adoption.
• Jean Lifton, Betty, 'Twiceborn: Memories of an adopted daughter', St Martin's Press, 1998, ISBN: 0312187661 - Story of the author's search for her birth mother and reunion.
• McColm, Michele, 'Adoption Reunions: A book for adoptees, birth parents and adoptive families', Second Story Press, 1994, ISBN: 0929005414 - Stories, information and advice about meeting relatives lost to adoption.
• Pearce, Lesley, 'Father Unknown', Penguin, 2002, ISBN: 0141006471 - Fictional story of a woman who is told she is adopted when her adopted mother dies, and her search for her birth mother.
• Saffian, Sarah, 'Ithaka: A daughter's memoir of being found', Bantham Dell, 2001, ISBN: 0613217810  - The author's story of being traced by her birth parents.
• Stafford, Georgina (ed.), 'Where To Find Adoption Records: A guide for counsellors, adopted people and birth relatives', BAAF, 2002, ISBN: 1903699010 - Advice and information on tracing birth relatives.
• Strauss, Jean, 'Birthright: The Guide to Search and Reunion for Adoptees, Birthparents', Penguin, 1994, ISBN: 0140512950 - Information and advice on searching for and meeting birth relatives lost to adoption.