Customer Reviews

Somebody's Child: Stories from the Private Files of an Adoption Attorney

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

 

 

After reading so many books on how-to adopt, "Somebody's Child: Stories from the Private Files of an Adoption Attorney" offers a personal look into some people's experiences. Mostly told in the person's own words, the reader is given insight into the feelings, circumstances and thought-processes that go along with adoption. These stories are told from the point of view of someone involved with that particular adoption, such as the adopting parent or parents, birthmother, birthgrandmother, etc. At the end of each story the author gives a short update on the people, and then offers some insight to that particular situation (gay adoption, single parent, Indian Tribal complications.) My biggest complaint is that there are not enough stories. I'd love to see "part 2" that explores even more situations.

I applaude Randi Barrow's efforts to compose a book that demonstrates honestly and openly the complexities of adoption in SOMEBODY'S CHILD. As an adoptive mother I long ago thought that love is all that is needed to adopt and nurture any child. Barrow's book supports adoption while exposing the rawness of individual situations and how diverse they can be, how painful some of it can be, and finally how necessary all of it is.
Taking actual private adoption cases from all sides of the triangle -- birth parents/child/adoptive parents --Barrow sheds insight into lifestyles, motivations, inclinations, and deviations. This book is a must read for all people thinking about giving a child up, those who were given up and adopted, and those considering adoption. I wish this book had been around twenty-five years ago when I was entering this world of adoption. BRAVO!

I loved this book. I Liked the various personalities of the characters in this book. However, I could do without the extra explanation at the end of each story. The author did a great job helping explain each situation very well, but she tends to go on and on about the subject at the end of each story. Kinda buggs me. I liked that each story was a little different and it made me mad how each state treated these adopted parents. Each story is different , with its own different successes. Thats why I like it so much.

Supreme book. Excellent author. A unique and thoughtful contribution to the adoption book category.
Definitely worth reading and the price is a steal!
Somebody's Child: Stories from the Private Files of an Adoption Attorney

As a birthmother I truely appreciate when someone tries to tell the truth of our side of the triad. However this auther may have thought she was praising the choices these mothers made I saw only thinly veiled misuderstanding and contempt even from a woman who was supposed to be advocating for us?
I must stress to anyone reading this and especially adoptive parents that not all birthparents are at all like the ones she chooses to present in her book. Many are middle-class single mothers who truely love their children and sacrificed our own happiness to see our children go on to lead the lives that we could not provide (religious, two-parent, monetary are some reasons) many of us are just like any other soccer-mom or den-mother troop-leader.
I hardly feel that this author presents that side at all, which to give her credit as a lawyer she may only see the more negative cases, but to base a book on that intending to vilify birthmothers and instead perpetrate the lie that we are all evil and uncaring losers who can't make a decent go at life is an insult.
I gave it two stars just in case it was actually an honest attempt at kindness, however I am still insulted.