Rating: 
Summary: Know what you're getting into
Review: I've just finished slogging through this book and I was very disappointed in it as it is tagged as the best book on "transracial" adoption available. The book is really very narrow and I found it almost totally useless in my wife's and my situation (we are adopting a child from Haiti). Looking at some of the other reviews, it appears that we weren't alone. The book is the result of two families' experiences with adopting non-white children and their attempts at integrating them into their families. What comes through loud and clear in the book is that the author's were expecting that the children would come out perfectly because they were loved and wanted. The parents seemed to be very insulated from modern society and reluctant (or unable?) to talk to people of their childrens' cultures. As a step parent to two partially South Asian boys already, I was appalled at the reactive nature of the families in the book rather than looking ahead and being prepared for developmental stages and cultural/race problems. I would have had a lot more confidence in it (and the authors) if they had explained what they had done to prepare for problems to sail through them as comfortably as possible (from both their perspectives as well as their children's). The book is painfully white middle-America with virtually no discussion of living in a multi-cultural city. It repeats a lot of information that can be found and explained better in other child-rearing books. For my wife and I (who live in a large very multi-cultural city and already have children), we found the material on Black hair care to be the most useful part of the book. Having said all this, "Inside Transracial Adoption" is probably the best book available on the subject. This is unfortunate because I do not believe that it is anywhere as good as it should be. Before buying a copy, I suggest that you sit down with it and make sure that it is appropriate for your situation and family. Otherwise you'll end up like I did, skimming through the book looking for something that made me feel like I was justified in buying it.
Rating:
Summary: Know what you're getting into
Review: I've just finished slogging through this book and I was very disappointed in it as it is tagged as the best book on "transracial" adoption available. The book is really very narrow and I found it almost totally useless in my wife's and my situation (we are adopting a child from Haiti). Looking at some of the other reviews, it appears that we weren't alone. The book is the result of two families' experiences with adopting non-white children and their attempts at integrating them into their families. What comes through loud and clear in the book is that the author's were expecting that the children would come out perfectly because they were loved and wanted. The parents seemed to be very insulated from modern society and reluctant (or unable?) to talk to people of their childrens' cultures. As a step parent to two partially South Asian boys already, I was appalled at the reactive nature of the families in the book rather than looking ahead and being prepared for developmental stages and cultural/race problems. I would have had a lot more confidence in it (and the authors) if they had explained what they had done to prepare for problems to sail through them as comfortably as possible (from both their perspectives as well as their children's). The book is painfully white middle-America with virtually no discussion of living in a multi-cultural city. It repeats a lot of information that can be found and explained better in other child-rearing books. For my wife and I (who live in a large very multi-cultural city and already have children), we found the material on Black hair care to be the most useful part of the book. Having said all this, "Inside Transracial Adoption" is probably the best book available on the subject. This is unfortunate because I do not believe that it is anywhere as good as it should be. Before buying a copy, I suggest that you sit down with it and make sure that it is appropriate for your situation and family. Otherwise you'll end up like I did, skimming through the book looking for something that made me feel like I was justified in buying it.
Rating: 
Summary: An informative, comprehensive introduction
Review: Inside Transracial Adoption is an informative, comprehensive introduction to the adoption of children by parents who do not share their racial identity. With their many years of practical experience in the area of transracial adoptions, Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall successfully collaborate to offer general and culturally specific suggestions and advice on issues related to racial identity, family connection, and child development within the context of race. Inside Transracial Adoption is very highly recommended and usefully applicable reading for anyone considering or in the process of constructing a transracial family unit through the process of adoption.
Rating:
Summary: Inside Transracial Adoption, Inside the Mind of an adoptee!
Review: This is a great book. It is insighful and helps understand what it must be like to be transracially adopted. I couldn't wait to read it and was not dissappointed. With lots of personal stories and insight it is easy to read. It is "The Book" to have if you are an adoptive parent of a transracial adoptee. A must have!
Rating:
Summary: Inside Transracial Adoption, Inside the Mind of an adoptee!
Review: This is a great book. It is insighful and helps understand what it must be like to be transracially adopted. I couldn't wait to read it and was not dissappointed. With lots of personal stories and insight it is easy to read. It is "The Book" to have if you are an adoptive parent of a transracial adoptee. A must have!
Rating:
Summary: great book!
Review: This was the best book I read on transracial adoption. The authors not only are experts in the field but have experienced it personally. You should not adopt a child of another race without reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: great book!
Review: When I read this book, I wish I were young again and could adopt children from other races. We went the "easy" way and adopted a baby in 1969 that matched our skin, but did not then proceed to adopt a second transracial child. Frankly, at that time, we would not have been up to the challenge. Today, I see white families in our neighborhood one of which has adopted two black boys who give me hugs when I walk by their house, and the other, next door, have a Chinese and Korean girl. This is wonderful progress which I feel in my own veins. I heartily recommend Steinberg's and Hall's strategies of "concrete tools for operating in a racist world."
Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?
Rating:
Summary: Great Advice
Review: When I read this book, I wish I were young again and could adopt children from other races. We went the "easy" way and adopted a baby in 1969 that matched our skin, but did not then proceed to adopt a second transracial child. Frankly, at that time, we would not have been up to the challenge. Today, I see white families in our neighborhood one of which has adopted two black boys who give me hugs when I walk by their house, and the other, next door, have a Chinese and Korean girl. This is wonderful progress which I feel in my own veins. I heartily recommend Steinberg's and Hall's strategies of "concrete tools for operating in a racist world."
Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?
Rating:
Summary: Race does matter
Review: When we started our family by adopting our son, we were very naive about the racial issue of being African-American in the U.S. We, both white, thought that raising our African-American child multi-culturally would be the answer. Then we read this book. It opened our eyes to the reality of being of color in this country. If our son was raised by us on an island without anyone else, things would be different. But here we are, in the U.S., barely a generation away from Jim Crow laws. This book gives useful tools and knowledge to be realistic about parenting a child of color. But the most important message of this book is: transracial adoptive parents are pioneers and we share a respect for difference and an appreciation for diversity that are models for all people and all communities. It does not discourage people from adopting transracially, on the contrary. It gives you a reality check on what is ahead. I do understand that some people might be offended by this book. To fully appreciate this book you have to be aware of your white privileges. Only then can you appreciate the clarity and honesty of both authors. I have since then met the 2 authors. They are truly impressive and models for our society.
Rating:
Summary: Essential for families adopting transracially
Review: Whether a family is considering transracial adoption, or is well into the experience of creating a transracial family, this book is an essential resource. Not only have the authors lived the experience they describe, they have helped hundreds of prospective parents build families that work well. Not only do they tell you what to expect along the way--from deciding to adopt a child from another race, to bringing your child home, tracing the issues that arise as children grow to be teenagers and young adults--they also give helpful, specific suggestions about how to handle the challenges and reap the rewards of a mindful, enlightened approach to parenting.
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