Adopt International: Everything You Need to Know to Adopt a Child from Abroad [Paperback]

O. Robin Sweet (Author), Patty Bryan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0374524688 | ISBN-13: 978-0374524685 | Publication Date: April 30, 1996 | Edition: 1

A comprehensive guide, Adopt International provides step-by-step advice on everything from selecting an adoption agency to traveling abroad to pick up your child to adjusting to a new life at home. The book walks you through the myriad government regulations and complicated forms (both American and foreign) as well as the financial issues involved. Finally, it includes the stories of people who have successfully adopted one or more children from across the world.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The specifics of international adoption, which is becoming a popular alternative to domestic (U.S.) adoption, are very important because a different set of protocols is demanded. This basic guide is an essential tool for learning about the process of adoption and the unique requirements of each country. From home study to traveling tips, Sweet often adds her own experience. She is not afraid to address some of the most common concerns and pitfalls (e.g., cultural differences and medical problems) and offers practical suggestions and/or solutions. The appendixes, a significant part of this book, serve as a solid springboard to adoption agencies (by country and state), state adoption units, Immigration and Naturalization Service offices, translators, support groups, educational services, and publications. Useful reproductions of common government forms are included. Highly recommended for public libraries.?Lisa A. Errico-Cox, Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, N.Y.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Americans complete more than 10,000 international adoptions annually. This book is a godsend for those contemplating the process. The authors stress, however, that the task is not for the faint-hearted or those who only wish to "rescue" a child from his or her past; prospective adoptive parents must instead be prepared to give the child a future. The book thoroughly covers all legal, social, cultural, personal, and bureaucratic procedures involved, from selecting a placement agency to enrolling the new family member in an American school. Sweet and her husband have experienced the international adoption process, and she and Patty Bryan have produced a detailed, realistic guide highlighted by first-person accounts and numerous appendixes of adoption agencies, support groups, newsletters, and other resources. This could easily become the bible of a burgeoning adoption phenomenon. Patricia Hassler

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 1 edition (April 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374524688
• ISBN-13: 978-0374524685
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,036,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have read the book, November 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Adopt International: Everything You Need to Know to Adopt a Child from Abroad (Paperback)

The first critic is not entirely correct. Depending on the country you adopt from and changes in the law made since the book was published the author is generally correct. There have been some changes since then. However, a person or couple should check with several agencies before they continue. They best thing to remember is keep trying. If you are not a fit for one country's adoption standards you can try another. Plus the agency generally knows the correct procedures and rules governing adoption. If the first critic thinks that anyone can adopt that person is deluded. Many factors come into play durring the course of adoption. But these are obstacles to overcome, not impasses.

32 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Adopt International, Misinformation, September 28, 1997

By 

Martha S. Osborne "Martha Osborne, Editor Rai... (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adopt International: Everything You Need to Know to Adopt a Child from Abroad (Paperback)

In the very beginning of this book, the authors state that people older than 45 years of age will probably not be able to adopt. This information is doing children around the world, desperately waiting for a family, a huge disservice. How awful that this false information is in a best selling book. People up to age 60 can easily adopt, as can singles, the handicapped, homosexuals, and people with large families. Much of the information is also borrowed from the not-for-profit book, "The Report on Intercountry Adoption", which is updated yearly. I could have been done a lot better. Martha Osborne Editor, Rainbow Kids.com

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A little outdated, February 11, 2005

By 

--- "positive adoptions" (GEORGIA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Adopt International: Everything You Need to Know to Adopt a Child from Abroad (Paperback)

I was disappointed - I'm planning on an adoption from South Korea and China. This book really followed the time lines and experiences of a Russian adoption. I do think the info for Russian adoptions would be extremely helpful but for myself it wasn't what I was looking for. The info is also dated, though I should have looked at that before I bought the book. I think the date was 94-94.
The resources provided good info, but now adays the internet provides just as much if not more info. This book was written pre-internet - or at least in the early stages of internet info.

I'd suggest this book for someone interested in european/russian adoption but not asian adoptions.