Customer Reviews

Daughter from Afar: A Family's International Adoption Story

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I was so absorbed in this book that I completed it in one evening. While this is a slim book, it is a compelling read for two reasons: (1) it contains lots of helpful information that prospective parents would appreciate; and (2) Ms. Woodard is an exceptionally engaging writer. I especially appreciated Ms. Woodard's optimistic, yet realistic, tone ... I have read similar adoption memoirs that take a somewhat "Pollyanna-ish" perspective. Ms. Woodard is very open about her frustration with her daughter's initial adjustments, and I found that reassuring. All in all, this book is a valuable resource for those considering China adoption.

I too read Daughter From Afar in a single sitting. I laughed and cried as Sarah and her husband negotiated each step of the adoption process and she described the uncertainty as well as the understanding that their daughter was meant for them. I found myself reliving the wonderful emotions of our first adoption, something that was filled with many of the same firsts and unknowns as well.

Sarah brings the process to life but sprinkles pragmatism and realism into the mix. Her book creates a realistic portrait of a family formed through adoption with the love and challenges that come with taking the leap of faith that is so necessary for adoptive families. I would recommend this book if you are considering adoption or you have adopted. It will make you look at your children and smile as you remember how it all started, or give you an understanding of what could be.

This is a great book recounting the journey of one couple in their quest to adopt from China. They are respectful of the culture, country and the people and feel very real emotions throughout the process. I enjoyed reading about their fears, concerns and dreams concerning their coming daughter, and never once got the feeling that they decided to adopt simply because it was 'expected' of them to have children.

I recommend this book to anyone who is adopting from China or even thinking about adopting from China.

What a great story! A Daughter From Afar really lets you know what a family goes through during an international adoption process. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in adopting a child from another country, it was very informative and is a great insite to families who are interested in adopting internationally, but really don't know where to start or what to expect. I would also recommend this book to anyone who loves children.

In the US, your main concerns are state oriented. Adopting from another country magnifies everything to global proportions. Sarah really gives you an indepth look at the entire process and the emotional rollercoaster that goes along with it.

After reading A Daughter From Afar, you feel like you took the journey with Sarah and her husband. You will laugh and cry as the story unfolds. And applaud when they finally walk off the plane!

I don't often review books, but as my husband and I find we are going to be starting our very own "paper chase" to bring our daughter home to us from China, I have been relying heavily on reviews - so here goes mine.

This is a great first hand account of what it is REALLY like for this adoptive mom. She tells her story without reservation, and gives you the facts. It was very courageous of her to display her inner thoughts and feelings about the adoption process and how it was for her, and I felt empowered by being able to "see into her thoughts" while she went through the process step by step. I also like the fact that it was not romantacized in any way, as I've read in a few articles. I want the good, the bad, and the ugly, and I got it (even though there really wasn't very much of the bad or the ugly at all).

I also found the information regarding their stay in China while getting their daughter very informative and helpful. I had no idea that the water in China was so polluted that you can't even get any in your mouth at all (they tied a sock over the faucet to remind them not to use it - GREAT idea!) and that you have to shower and keep your mouth closed at all times - yet the babies are completely used to this water.

Another aspect that was very beneficial to me is that they are not an infertile couple - and neither are my husband and I. They - like us - just felt the desire to adopt one of these little girls who is in need of a family. I would liked to have known whether they got any "flack" from anyone regarding the fact that even though they were fully capable of conceiving a biological child, they chose adoption instead (this is something I'm not looking forward to encountering and is also something I'm not sure I know how I'm going to deal with)

In genereal, I *appreciate* her story and what it has offered to me, and I'm sure her daughter will treasure it when she is of age to read it and truly understand what it meant to have her as their child.

I'm the very blessed mom of two daughers who became mine through international adoption, so this story was quite meaninful to me. Reading about the journey of another family is both inspiring and comforting. Sarah shares all the dimensions involved in the miracle of adoption in a beautiful way! You'll love it!

The author dealt with the issues of adoption with a lot of tact and was honest about some of the negative things that her family went through, from bureaucratic delays to their daughter's health problems. I was fully resigned to the fact that it would be a totally sappy story, but surprisingly it was just sweet but not overly emotional, so that's a plus for me. This book is informative not just for those in the adoptioin process (which I am not) but anyone interested in child welfare in general, or just a nice story about becoming a mother. All of the profits go towards the non-profit organization that the author founded so in addition to enjoying this book I am happy to be helping her cause.

I too read this book from cover to cover in just a few hours. It was a wonderfully written story. More importantly, it was an honest account of a couple adopting from China. There were emotional highs, but there were also frustrations, missing the carefree life she'd know before adopting, and months of sleepless nights due to a screaming child who could not be comforted. Sarah Woodard is honest about her exhaustion and frustration with her new daughters bumpy start to life in America and the different routes they used to help her and themselves cope.

I've read many books written by adoptive parents. This is the first book I've read that really shared the reality of adopting a child who may have been abused, neglected, and was certainly starving for one on one attention. There is an impact on these young girls and they don't instantly forget their hardships, regardless of their age. It's often a tough road ahead once the paper chase and travel is over.

I'm grateful to Sarah Woodard for writing this book. As someone who is also choosing to adopt a child from China for reasons that have nothing to do with fertility problems, I found this book very applicable to my own life in terms of the obstacles and the joys my husband and I will most certainly face.

very good book, could not put it down, great insite into what goes on the the adoption process

This is a good book for anyone interested in international adoption. It goes through her personal story and the process of adopting from another country.