Adoption Reunions: A Book for Adoptees, Birth Parents and Adoptive Families (Paperback)

by Michelle McColm (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In this practical book, Michelle McColm draws on extensive interviews with adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents, as well as the experience of her own reunion.

About the Author
Working in adoption disclosure at a Children's Aid Society, Michelle McColm became familiar with the stories of adoptees and birth mothers alike. An adoptee herself, she has successfully navigated her way through a reunion with her birth mother and extended family.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Second Story Press; 1 edition (September 8, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929005414
• ISBN-13: 978-0929005416
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #585,852 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative for anyone in the triad, January 28, 1999

By A Customer

As an adult adoptee who is in the throes of a reunion, this book was a wonderful addition to my library. It was sent to me from my birth mother, and it has opened my eyes to what she (and my adoptive parents) may be going through at this juncture in our relationships. The author, an adoptee, shares what she went through before, during and after her own reunion with candor and helpful hints (even listing them at the end of each chapter). She is also involved in organizations that allow her to talk with other members of the triad, who share their stories about reunions, reliquishments and adoptions. It is a very specific book, as well. It reads very much like a handbook (with specific organizations to join, specific agencies, etc.) for a reunion. What I found particularly helpful about the book was the middle several chapters in which she divides the reunion--from backstage through "You're On" through Post Reunion. It is also appealing for all three parts of the adoption, as she takes the time to discuss the issues that anyone any place on the triad may be concerned about, what they may feeling, or how they may be acting. The first few chapters were either too general (history) or too specific (about certain agencies that do not relate to all adoptions), but overall it was a wonderful, insightful book about the reunion process.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Book written by committee doesn't pack much punch, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

I have been on a recent tear through libraries, databases and book stores to adequately research reunions of adoptees with their bioparents. One word of caution to anyone going through this same process: this book has a Canadian perspective, so contends with Canadian adoption laws. Through no fault of Ms. McColm, this is my number one complaint about the reviews that enticed me into reading this book. Another obstacle the reader must overcome is the author's overwhelming efforts to be politically correct for everyone. I felt that some of the book's honesty and integrity was sacrificed in order not to ruffle any feathers. The truth is, adoption is an issue of many, many nuances and many generations have different terms for similar things. I think the author might have been more effective if she had written from her heart and her experiences, and not been so worried about her audience.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Subtitle isn't accurate., August 22, 2005

By	N. Davis - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Simply put, this book is not for birth parents, it's for the birth mother. The subtitle should be changed. The "voice" of the book is talking to the birth mother as the only interested birth parent, and even though some brief paragraphs refer to the birth father, he is treated not as a reader of the book, but in the third person, for example, "What if the adoptee asks about the birth father? What should you say?" Well, how about "I'm him."