Customer Reviews

Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul: Stories Celebrating Forever Families (Chicken Soup for the Soul)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I contributed two pieces to this project and I am proud of them. I've contributed to another Chicken Soup book as well, but I did not review that one. Why am I reviewing this one? The contributions are wonderful. I read the book through on the day I received it and love it. I marked many stories to share with my children, who, like me, are adopted. Yes, it contains my eldest son's adoption story, but it also is helping me deal with issues I still have and did not think were there. Reading the common threads that run through these stories, the pain, the joy, the healing has really struck a chord in my heart I did not know I had. It's a wonderful read.

As a expecting parent waiting to adopt through the foster care system, I was really looking forward to reading this book, but I was very disappointed with it. The stories are certainly nice to read, but many of them were written by folks who had a religious calling to adopt, and who went on to adopt infants or very young children. A lot of the stories can be summarized as follows: 1) Mom and Dad feel that God is telling them to adopt; 2) God leads them to the "ideal" child (usually a baby); 3) God eliminates obstacles; and 4) the family lives happily ever after. I am truly happy for the families in this book for whom everything seemed predetermined, but many people do not approach adoption as a religious calling. Also, many of the stories in this book seem to perpetuate the myth that most parents adopt infants and young children. Right now, there are about 120,000 children in the foster care system in this country who are available for adoption, and most are between the ages of 8 and 12, with a large number of teens who may never have a family because of their age. I am saddened and angered that these children, many of whom live in our own neighborhoods, are given so little of a voice in this book. Adopting an older child who has been the victim of abuse, neglect, and multiple losses may not fit the peaches-and-cream tone of this book, however many of these kids and their new families face the demons, climb the mountains, and thrive. Perhaps their stories aren't included because they aren't the somewhat sanitized, Disneyland image of adoption that this book portrays. This is truly a shame, because the the stories of families who create love, hope and a future from years of fear, rejection, hurt, distrust, and anger are TRULY "chicken soup for the soul."

Touching in so many ways... it brings tears of sorrow and joy. I really got a better understanding of the whole issue and how those who offer their children what they consider a better existence and those who get adopted feel. Truly outstanding writing makes this book a good purchase.

I bought the book for our younger daughter. She & her husband are in the process of adopting the most adorable little girl. What few stories I did read I liked. I have never had a Chicken Soup book that I didn't like.

Polly Davis (Edna)

This book was good for a pick-me-up. I found myself smiling at the heart-warming stories. I have heard plenty of horror stories about adoption, so it is nice to hear something positive. I especially love the "My headbanging Ethiopian sons", as I plan on adopting from Ethiopia and I believe in the power of music to heal and create bonds.

However, as an Agnostic, I could have done without all the God and religion references. Non-religious people want to adopt too, our hearts guide us, not God. It sometimes made me feel like only devout believers are the ones who love enough to adopt. And that is simply not the case.

Other than that, I plan on passing this book along to my family members so they too can see the beauty of adoption that this book portrays.

A collection of nice stories about adoptees and their adpptive parents. For those of us who have adopted, particularly good. Recommended.

Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul is a warm and touching read across a wide spectrum of people and unique and touching situations. "It Was You" on page 308, was the story of the culmination of a very long search for Ana Hay's birth mother as she lay in critical condition in a hospital in Duluth. Ana's portrayal of the day's events and the very first communication with her birth mother are gripping and certainly provide a lot of questions for the reader, as well.

If the rest of the stories are as touching and emotional as "It Was You" by Ana Hays then I look forward to reading the entire book with interest.

"It Was You" touched my soul and reminded me of the joys and sorrows of life. It make me cry.