Customer Reviews

A Passage to the Heart: Writings from Families with Children from China

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4 star:		(5)
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This is a marvelous compendium of information about adopting from China. It covers all aspects of the experience and is divided into appropriate subject sections so you can find things easily. It belongs in the reference library of every adoptive parent, grandparent, and person touched by an adoption from China.

The essays and occasional poem express all the emotions that accompany adoption from China as well as the nitty-gritty of dealing with packing, being a new parent, medical concerns, and more.

Amy Klatzkin is a brilliant editor who understands the adoption experience firsthand. She has not sugarcoated the experience, but given us the wonders, the complexities, and the sorrows here. Therefore, it is a great collection for those considering adoption as well as those who have already adopted.

This book makes a wonderful gift for adoptive families and their friends. I bought copies for everyone in my extended family. It will help them understand all the issues, and the joys and sorrows, of the adoption experience. Don't miss it!

I bought Passage to the Heart at our annual meeting of the New England chapter of Families With Children From China (FCC) and I have been reading it cover to cover. It is wonderful and I even sent a copy to our pediatrician to help her understand possible issues with our planned second adoption. Of course, I have to read it during private time because tears come streaming down my face every time I pick it up. Strangers would wonder what was the matter with me if I read it in public! Thank you for compiling this book. It is a wonderful service to the FCC community and it will become a reference book for all of us.Perhaps when my daughter is older, she will read it and better understand her journey to make us into a forever family. Fondly, and gratefully, L. Welch.

I enjoyed this collection of varied stories, but in my opinion nothing captures the China adoption experience like Karin Evans' The Lost Daughters of China. Readers seeking information on China adoption would do well to try both books, I think. And for the nitty gritty on background and issues concerning international adoption from China, I recommend yet another book, Laura Cecere's The Children Can't Wait.

I was already a 2x adoptive parent from Vietnam and considering a 3rd adoption from China when I found this book. It was by far the most complete and helpful book I have read on adoption. It is at times funny, sad and thoughtful... Now that I am home with our Chinese daughter, we are still referring to this excellent book. It is a great resource for anyone adopting from anywhere in Asia.

I purchased this book as we were in the "learning process" about internation adoptions and wanted to learn more. we were focused on China and this book is very helpful and brought up issues I hadn't even though of yet. wonderful book....

This was the single most influential resource in our decision to adopt from China. It made us feel not only informed, but comfortable and excited to move forward.

Should be required reading for anyone considering adoption from China!

In A Passage to the Heart, Amy Klatzkin has compiled the best writing to date about adopting children from China. It includes articles concerning all aspects of adoption, from planning for an adoption trip to dealing psychologically with your new cross-cultural family. This is an ideal gift for those considering adoption from China, for grandparents of adopted Chinese kids (who may not realize all the issues involved!) and for friends and relatives of adoptive families, and anyone else who is touched or might be touched by an adoption from China.

In addition, this book does not "sugarcoat" the adoption experience but deals with both the joys and sorrows that are part of adoption. Klatzkin is a brilliant editor who has grouped the articles and a few poems in appropriate subject sections so that you can read what is of most interest to you at the moment.

This book belongs in the reference library of every family that has adopted from China and for their friends and associates. Don't miss it.

Whether you are interesting in adopting a child from China, or simply want to understand more about the phenomenon that is bringing 4,000+ mostly girls to the United States every year, this is the book to get. The range of information covered in this book is remarkable. When people call our chapter of Families With Children from China to find out how they can learn more, we tell them to buy this book.

"Nothing prepared me for the weight and expanse of the collected voices....The piece reads like gumdrops, each short enough for even a tired single parent to enjoy several in a sitting. I confess I had no idea of the impact of these voices, together for the first time, the sound of these parents finding extraordinary openings in their lives -- hearts cracked open with joy -- through which their individual voices ring so strikingly....The image reflected by the book is large. It's magnificently civilized. It's beautiful. It has permanently changed the way we think about ourselves." --Rita Guastella, FCC/New England

This wonderful book provides information about the technical and emotional aspects of adopting from China. I read this book before I sent my dossier to China five years ago and am re-reading it now. The book addresses all phases of the adoption process - from making the decision to adopt to raising your child. I give copies of this book to clients and friends who are considering international adoption.