Her parents and big sister are white, and even though she loves her family very much, Makeda often feels left out. When Makeda's family moves from Maryland to New Mexico, she leaves behind her best friend, Lena―the only other adopted black girl she knows―for a new life. In New Mexico, everything is different. At home, Makeda’s sister is too cool to hang out with her anymore and at school, she can’t seem to find one real friend.Through it all, Makeda can’t help but wonder: What would it feel like to grow up with a family that looks like me?Through singing, dreaming, and writing secret messages back and forth with Lena, Makeda might just carve a small place for herself in the world.

    They’ve given Cass a life she wouldn’t trade for the world. She has everything she needs—except maybe the one thing she wants. Like, to know who she is. Where she came from. Questions her adoptive parents can’t answer, no matter how much they love her.But eighteen years ago, someone wrote Cass a series of letters. And they may just hold the answers Cass has been searching for.Alternating between Cass’s search for answers and letters from the pregnant teen who gave her up for adoption, this voice-driven narrative is the perfect read for fans of Nina LaCour and Jandy Nelson.

    All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. So, no matter how curious she might be about her Native American heritage, Edie is sure her family doesn’t have any answers.Until the day when she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attic—a box full of letters signed “Love, Edith,” and photos of a woman who looks just like her.Suddenly, Edie has a flurry of new questions about this woman who shares her name. Could she belong to the Native family that Edie never knew about? But if her mom and dad have kept this secret from her all her life, how can she trust them to tell her the truth now?

    In search of the truth he travels from North Carolina to the sleepy coastal village of Inishbeg Cove in the West of Ireland. But not everyone in the village welcomes Greg and he soon learns that his search for answers isn't going to be easy. Can Greg unearth the secrets lying hidden in the waters of the cove? Praise for Izzy Bayliss 'There’s just something about this authors writing skills that almost put you into a trance and I was quite happy to stay inside the book, losing myself into the story.' - Sarah Hardy - By The Letter Book Reviews 'Perfect for the romantic comedy loving readers. I think this is going to be one to watch!' Kasha Holloway - The Writing Garnet Book Reviews 'I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THESE BOOKS!!!' - 5* Amazon Reviewer 'Page Turner ... Outstanding' - 5* Amazon Reviewer

    A tough exterior is her claim to fame, and necessary for the life she lives. But even the toughest have been known to let their guard down at Christmastime. Hilarious by nature, Pharo is the perfect match for Des. And though he wasn’t exactly looking, fate doesn’t care about that. When chance encounters with a stranger happen twice in one day, it's too big to be a coincidence and he's smart enough to know it. Join these two on a hilarious, heart-filled, nutmeg scented journey to love in tight spaces!

    The woman he’s always loved refuses to tell him a secret. Can they get a Second Chance Christmas miracle? Ex Navy SEAL turned Country Star, JJ Kelly, only wanted one thing in life—to forget. Forget his leg getting blown off, forget his mother dying in a plane crash, and forget – the girl he’d left behind so long ago. But when his father passes away and tells he and his brothers they must be married by Christmas or lose the family inheritance—he can’t forget anymore.Aspen Roades, silver medal Olympic Ice Skating champion, only wants to pay her respects to JJ’s father and get back to her wedding. She doesn’t want to meet JJ Kelly at a gas station and she really does not want him to follow her onto a Greyhound Bus.When an old man, claiming to be a Christmas angel, keeps insisting tells he and Aspen to forgive the past and believe in second chances and miracles—he thinks the guy has lost it. Wait—or has JJ lost it? Could there be a second chance with Aspen? Too bad it doesn’t matter because she refuses to believe in miracles.When things get heated, they are left with a choice—believe in second chances … or lose the only love that ever really mattered.

    Mama to three adopted kids--two with Down Syndrome--Heather encourages us all to take a breath, whisper a prayer, laugh a little, and make room for the wildflowers.In a world of divisions and margins, those who act, look, and grow a little differently are all too often shoved aside. Scoot Over and Make Some Room is part inspiring narrative and part encouraging challenge for us all to listen and learn from those we're prone to ignore.Heather tells hilarious stories of her growing kids, spontaneous dance parties, forgotten pants, and navigating the challenges and joys of parenthood. She shares heartbreaking moments when her kids were denied a place at the table and when she had to fight for their voices to be heard. With beautiful wisdom and profound convictions, this manifesto will empower you to notice who's missing in the spaces you live in, to make room for your own kids and for those others who need you and your open heart.This is your invitation to a table where space is unlimited and every voice can be heard. Because when you open your life to the wild beauty of every unique individual, you'll discover your own colorful soul and the extraordinary, abundant heart of God.

    But, in the months and years that followed, she discovered that there was more than one way to build a family – and that there is a lot of joy to be found in life’s unexpected detours.In a raw and inspiring story of one woman’s journey through motherhood, family life and self-discovery, Lisa explores the many forms that family can take, and discovers the power of embracing your Plan B. For anyone who has ever found themselves facing the unexpected in life – whether that’s infertility, adoption, grief or any other personal challenge – this is an uplifting and honest account of finding love in unexpected places, and building your life on your own terms.

     Born in a California women’s prison in 1963, Laureen Pittman was relinquished for adoption. As a child, Laureen was conditioned to believe that being adopted didn’t matter. So, it didn’t . . . until it did. Through scraps of information, Laureen stitched together her history – one that started in the psychedelic sixties and ended up in a future where DNA could solve mysteries. She never imagined that spitting into a plastic tube, along with painstaking research and the explosion of technology would reveal the answers to her identity. Laureen’s tale is for anyone who has ever questioned who they are, where they came from, or how they fit in. Her journey to find her truth illustrates the strength and power of our need for connection, belonging, and healing through knowledge. What people are saying about The Lies That Bind "Pittman walks, with grace and wisdom, through the uncharted and difficult territory, where she uncovers secrets long buried and finds those who embrace one another as a family. Hers is a story of resilience and tenacity. It is about the peace that comes when we are in the shadows no more, and it will inspire others on their own healing path." ~ Linda Hoye, Author of Two Hearts: An Adoptee’s Journey Through Grief to Gratitude "Laureen’s tale from the point of view of an adoptee is one of incredible bravery and courage. Her beautiful voice echoes through the pages with pain and joy, disappointment and redemption. No matter if you have been involved in adoption directly or not, there is beauty to be found in this heart-wrenching book." ~ From the Foreword by Angie Martin, Bestselling & Award-winning author of Conduit and Chrysalis

    So what do you do when you're parenting a child who has experienced trauma or has extra challenges? You often feel alone and inadequate. You want so much to help your child, but you are at the end of your own rope. You feel guilty that sometimes you want to just quit.What can you do -- how can you make it through the day -- how can you help your child while also taking care of yourself?Maybe someone you love is parenting a traumatized child. Or perhaps you are a social worker, counselor, or other professional who sees families like these every day. You want to know how to better help them.In Dancing with a Porcupine, Jennie Owens shares with humor and raw honesty the compelling story of her struggle to save her own life while caring for three children she and her husband adopted from foster care. How could she stay loving, giving, and forgiving in the midst of a daily battle with children acting out the rage, resentment, and pain of their own traumatic pasts?When faith, endurance, and creativity are not enough, what's next?

     Alice Baker was born Indian, but she was abandoned as an infant. She was raised by a white family but could never disguise her Indian heritage. Never fitting in has taken its toll. When an opportunity arises that might finally bring her the answers she’s been searching for, she takes it. There’s just one catch. She has to become a mail order bride. Ed Little lost his arm in a mining accident a year ago. He needs help, but he’ll never admit it. He agrees to take a bride but only so people will quit worrying about him. He wants nothing to do with her. It will be a marriage in name only. When Alice shows up though, he can’t help falling for her. Too bad the rest of the town can’t say the same. They distrust outsiders as much as Indians, and Alice is both. They’ll go to any lengths necessary to get rid of her, but will they finally go too far? Can Ed and Alice accept each other before someone gets hurt?

      Mike and Kristin Berry have adopted eight children and cared for another 23 kids in their nine-year stint as foster parents. They aren’t just experts. They have experienced every emotional high and low and encountered virtually every situation imaginable as parents. Now, they want to share what they’ve learned with you.   Get the answers you need to the following questions, and many more:   Should I foster parent or adopt? How do I know?   What is the first step in becoming an adoptive or foster parent?   What are the benefits of an open versus closed adoption?   How and when do I tell my child that he or she is adopted?   How do I help my child embrace his or her cultural and racial identity?  Honestly Adoption will provide you with practical, down-to-earth advice to make good decisions in your own adoption and foster parenting journey and give you the help and hope you need.

    In her late twenties, she reconnected with her first family and returned to Seoul where she spent four months getting to know other adoptees, as well as her Korean mother, father, siblings, and extended family. At the guesthouse for transnational adoptees where she lived, alliances were troubled by violence and fraught with the trauma of separation and of cultural illiteracy. Unsurprisingly, heartbreakingly, Wills found that her nascent relationships with her family were similarly fraught.Ten years later, Wills sustains close ties with her Korean family. Her Korean parents and her younger sister attended her wedding in Montreal, and that same sister now lives in Canada. Remarkably, meeting Jenny caused her birth parents to reunite after having been estranged since her adoption. Little by little, Jenny Heijun Wills is learning and relearning her stories and those of her biological kin, piecing together a fragmented life into something resembling a whole.Delving into gender, class, racial, and ethnic complexities, as well as into the complex relationships between Korean women—sisters, mothers and daughters, grandmothers and grandchildren, aunts and nieces—Older Sister. Not Necessarily Related. describes in visceral, lyrical prose the painful ripple effects that follow a child's removal from a family, and the rewards that can flow from both struggle and forgiveness.

    This is a story of the astonishing power of self-sacrificial love.On a typical Sunday morning in 2006, Barbara Marlowe saw a photo that changed her life: a photo of four-year-old Teeba Furat Fadhil, whose face, head, and hands had been severely burned during a roadside bombing in the Diyala Province of Iraq. Teeba’s eyes captivated Barbara, and she yearned to help this child who had already endured more pain and suffering than anyone should bear.Because surgeons were fleeing the war-torn country, Teeba would be unable to receive much-needed treatments if she stayed in Iraq. With powerful faith and determination, Barbara overcame obstacle after obstacle to bring Teeba from Iraq to the United States for medical treatments.A Brave Face explores the connection forged between Barbara and Teeba’s Iraqi mother Dunia over the past decade—a deep bond between two mothers that has flourished despite the distance, the strife of war, and the horrors of Al-Qaeda and ISIS. With chapters written by Teeba, now a young woman, and Dunia, the three women recount the story of courage and sacrifice that bound them together.A Brave Face contains the messages that:Tremendous trust can cross borders and war zonesTragedies can turn into miraclesLove can be found in the most unexpected of placesIn the end, this is a story of hope. A story of building bridges. A story of the always astonishing power of self-sacrificial love.

    At just 24 years old, Aly was diagnosed with breast cancer. Everything they had known, hoped for, and dreamed of came to a screeching halt with the news of her diagnoses.Aly's cancer journey is only the beginning of their incredible story. With grit, fierce love, and unyielding faith, Aly and Josh fight for her life and dream of building a family. They battle infertility, face heart-wrenching struggles while trying to adopt, and experience God in miraculous ways. Aly and Josh inspire readers to cling to life, faith, and love, especially when all hope seems lost.

    In Fierce Love, you will follow Kim Gjerde on her three-year journey to adopt a precious child from Guatemala. After eighteen months of lies and deception from their adoption agency, Kim left her comfortable middle-class life in the United States and moved to one of the most gang-ridden neighborhoods in Guatemala to fight for her daughter. There, she experienced a political and spiritual firestorm that threatened her resolve as she risked her financial security, her child, and even her life. As she finally reached the limits of her strength and resources, her only option was to believe in God’s promise, trusting that He alone is the mover of mountains. In this remarkable story of endurance, you will discover the depths of corruption and callousness but also the miracles of a loving God whose hand is on Kim every step of the way.

    

    From the child’s first bath and first time riding a tricycle, all the way to her boarding that big yellow bus, the crazy-much love grows SO MUCH that it spills out the windows and busts down the doors. A warm, lyrical celebration of the deep love parents hold for their children, and a comforting message for kids about how there can be only one special YOU.

    As Ella nurses her beloved adoptive father on his deathbed, he uses the last of his strength to scribble down a name: ‘Richard F’. Convinced this man must hold the key to her unknown origins, Ella hunts for more clues, uncovering years of unexplained monthly payments from the British colony of Malaya. With no other leads and nothing left in Hamburg, she sets sail for the Far East in search of the truth.The trail leads her to a rubber plantation owned by the Foster family—could they have something to do with the mysterious Mr F? But before she can find proof of her heritage, Ella is caught up in tensions between colonial forces and the Malayan resistance—in more ways than one. With a high-ranking official vying for her attention, how can she admit to anyone, let alone herself, that she’s fallen for a local rebel?As her head and heart struggle with the secrets that lie in her past and her present, Ella must ask herself what price she is willing to pay for the truth—and for freedom.

    Fuck, what has it been? Nine years? Ten? I guess it would be about nine since that’s how old our daughter is. She found me, Liv. She wants to meet us—both of us. I thought we should make the decision together. I can come to you or you can come home. I know your momma misses you something fierce. Let me know what you decide. LincolnIt's been ten years since I left. Turned my back on my home, my family, and him. I wasn't strong enough to salvage what was left after we gave her up. I couldn't bear to see the look of disappointment and blame in his eyes.I should've fought harder for her; for us. Now, all the feelings I spent ten years burying are beginning to resurface from one letter; one single piece of paper. I'm not sure I have it in me to face my past but I know I can't turn my back on her again; not when I gave up so easily the first time.

    McGill has a background in developmental psychology and uses this to great effect; the theory sections of MTBTM are relevant, researched, and related to real-life examples from McGill’s own experience with her adopted son. This book goes beyond the tired cliché of ‘attachment’ however, pulling together relevant strands of many different psychological theories and disciplines, all of which is juxtaposed against heart-wrenching and emotional accounts taken from McGill’s own blog, giving the reader a unique and personal insight in to the day to day struggles of her family. ‘This isn’t just a book for people before they adopt; this is also a book for adopters. There were so many things you said that resonated so clearly with my experience. You articulate the concepts beautifully and the personal illustration from your life, so generously included, brings it to life and makes it real.’ -- Adoptive parent ‘I LOVE IT! It’s written in a really easy-to-understand way, without too much jargon, and the technical stuff is explained in a clear way.’ -- Adoptive parent ‘Your description of The Monster is a real insight into trauma and its effects on the children. I really gained an understanding and even recognised some traits in our 17-month-old. I appreciate the honesty you have included with your examples – letting the reader know what works/doesn’t work and that you have to change your approach as the child develops/heals.’ -- Adoptive parent

     Tormented by the in-crowd at school on a daily basis, there were two things that gave fifteen-year-old Abigail Perkins the strength to keep going—her best friend, Danny Cobb; and her favorite television show, Supernatural. But the night Danny’s mother calls to say that his battle with cancer is nearing its end, and the doctors don’t expect him to live through the night, even Supernatural can’t dull the ache in her heart. Devastated by her impending loss and crushed that Danny’s mother won’t allow her to visit him one last time, Abigail crawls into bed and cries herself to sleep that night; and she wakes to find Supernatural’s most endearing angel standing at the foot of her bed. Told from Abigail’s perspective as she nears the end of her long life and revisits the moments that defined it, this story was inspired by the deep connection that Supernatural fans feel with the show’s beloved characters, and the show’s miraculous ability to help its fans through troubled times. 100% of the net proceeds from this book will go to Random Acts charitable organization. Random Acts inspires many amazing things around the world every day — from small acts of kindness, such as inspiring someone to buy a stranger a cup of coffee, to much bigger acts of kindness like building a school in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. To learn more about Random Acts visit randomacts.org

    When her community comes around her to support her, she is enveloped in the same care as she gives her egg, and the task becomes much more do-able. This story of love, community, and sacrifice teaches us about the value of caring for one another in our need, and is sure to appeal to anyone who has ever depended on someone bigger and stronger than them. Families of all different shapes and sizes, biological, adoptive, foster, etc, and the communities that surround them will appreciate this sweet story of what it means to risk and sacrifice yourself for someone you love, and come out the other side the one who was rewarded.

    Research indicates that one in four females and one in six males are sexually abused before age 18. In most cases, the enemy is not a faceless stranger; it's someone you know and trust--a neighbor, a coach, or even a family member.This book provides practical steps to ensure you're doing all you can to reduce the risks of abuse. But since you cannot be with your children 24/7, it goes beyond what you can do as a parent to teach you how to increase your child's own awareness and strategies in the face of potential dangers--without making them fearful.Dr. Robinson, whose decades-long practice focuses on abused and endangered children, calls on her own case studies to show age-appropriate conversation starters for parents, teaching them how to ask the right questions and provide the right boundaries.This book will help you move from fear to confidence on this heavy topic that is just too important to ignore.

    Their candid insight will serve families who are actively involved in adoption or foster care, as well as people who are eager to help support those families.Replanted affirms that with the right support system in place, parents can answer this sacred call not only with open hearts but also with their eyes wide open.

    Trying to convince people to do foster care or adoption can feel like just another daunting, impossible task. It’s hard enough to get volunteers for the nursery, much less volunteers to foster or adopt a child!But what if we’re thinking about it the wrong way? What if orphan care actually increases your church’s capacity to do ministry? What if this one ministry opens doors to many others?Discover how orphan care transforms 6 key aspects of your ministry, meet dozens of families and churches who have experienced the transformative power of orphan care, and learn how you can get involved even if you’re not ready to foster or adopt.After catching the vision for this vital ministry, you’ll be ready to join them!

    She's excited but nervous to travel across the world and very aware that this trip will change her entire life. And the cracks are already starting to show the moment they reach the hotel--her parents are all about the new baby, and have no interest in exploring.In the adoption trip group, Emily meets Katherine, a Chinese-American girl whose family has returned to China to adopt a second child. The girls eventually become friends and Katherine reveals a secret: she's determined to find her birth mother, and she wants Emily's help.New country, new family, new responsibilities--it's all a lot to handle, and Emily has never felt more alone.

    The idea of showing abundant love to every member of your family can feel like a daunting task. Jolene Philo has been there. And in this wise, warm, practical guide, she and Dr. Gary Chapman show you how the 5 love languages can help strengthen your marriage and family life—whatever your needs. Sharing dozens of stories from parents of children with special needs children, they teach you how to:protect your marriage amidst the stressdiscover and speak the love language of your child—even if they’re nonverbalaccommodate the love languages for children with special needs and disabilitiesshow love to every member of your family when you have limited time, money, and energyHaving a special needs child shouldn’t mean sacrificing a full family life. Learn to share love abundantly no matter your circumstances.

    Using DNA, genealogical research, the kindness of new found relatives and a willingness to keep cross referencing hundreds and hundreds of new family names and locations, the story unfolded within a historical context. It became a genealogical adventure with an honest to God princess, allegations of Islamic terrorism, an Irish bog man, movie stars, old kings of Ireland, as well as poor farmers, blacksmiths and saloon keepers. But primarily it was a story of discovering the power of raw endurance and survival in the face of overwhelming horror. And understanding the strength of carrying on after the trauma of oppression, famine, and war. It is the saga of intergenerational Irish and German immigration, family tragedy and triumph. The story reminds us of how understanding what happened within our own family history can have on healing our own hearts. It can be a beginners guide to start thinking about how to figure out your own family story.

     When the Oliver’s take her in, Fiona’s sure they’re just another family in a long line—just another stop on the way to her forever. With her loyal pet mole tucked deep in her pocket, Fiona expects the worst, always keeping one foot out the door. After so many years in the foster care system, why would she expect anything more? Fiona: Forever? is a touching tale about one special little girl's dream: a permanent home and a place to belong…wherever that may be. Chapter book readers everywhere are sure to fall in love with this new book and it's perfect blend of family, adventure, friendship and hope. What to expect: • An entertaining story sprinkled with humor and compassion and just the right amount of spunk. • A great tool for new resource families that want to introduce the foster care system and/or adoption to their children. • A perfect read-aloud chapter book for bedtime reading or classroom learning. • Relatable characters for children involved in foster care to connect with. • Discussion questions included at the end of each chapter to encourage personal reflection and/or group discussion. • Optional drawing prompts included in the print version to promote creativity, imagination and book personalization. Reviews: "I read a chapter a day to my second grade class and they were completely enthralled by Fiona's story. The day of the final reading there were few dry eyes as we finished the book. My students were eager to find out if there would be a Fiona sequel! This book touches the heart and brings to light the emotional roller coaster foster kids ride every day. A great book for deep classroom discussion." Chris Kawchak, Teacher "Fiona, Forever? is a lively, heartwarming tale of a girl growing up in foster care, and her hearts desire to find a family. This is a message that other children (and adults) really need to hear and understand, as now there are foster children in almost every classroom and many homes in your neighborhood. The author created believable, lovable characters and you will surely fall in love with Fiona." -Rachel, mother of four and former foster parent

    Determined to expand their family, they chose open adoption, confident it was the right solution. Assured that doing so would be best for their child, Kim and her husband signed on with an agency focused on open adoption, and soon found themselves the parents of a beautiful newborn girl. What they had never counted on, however, was that the birthparents—both suffering from cognitive disabilities—had no ability to understand the complexities of the relationships which open adoption creates. What followed was a battle that would take Kim from the delivery room to the courtroom and a deep look inward to discover what it took to be a mother to a child she didn't create. The Making of a Mom is a memoir of what it means to be a mother, no matter what circumstances bring a child into the family. It is also a story of inner struggle as debut author Kim Severn explores the joys, pains, and the depth of understanding she gained as she wondered 'Am I mom enough?'

    Damon L. Davis shares his journey through life as an adoptee to becoming an adoptive parent himself. He explores his desire to find his birth family as sparked by the flood of emotions that accompanied the birth of his son, Seth -- the first blood relative he had ever known. In his story, you'll follow his introspection when considering a search for his birth family, while coping with the heartbreak of his adoptive mother's mental illness. Within months of taking his post in the Obama Administration in 2009, Damon found his birth mother working only two blocks away and years later, his real birth father's identity was revealed unexpectedly on AncestryDNA. You'll be amazed by the coincidences that brought Damon face to face with his birth mother in a tearful, yet joyous, reunion. And your heart will be warmed by the acceptance of his birth father who didn't even know he existed.

    A canine mother and daughter pair explore the true color of love and the beauty of family diversity and adoption.

    And that conversation should never be boring or awkward! This book helps you feel confident and excited about engaging the children you love in meaningful ways when it comes to their story or the story of other adopted children they know.How to use this book:Read the book togetherTalk through the included conversation starterHave fun talking about adoption for years to comeYou don’t want to miss the opportunity to have fun discussions about important topics with your children, so what are you waiting for? The Polaris-Away is a-waiting for you! Pick up a copy for you or someone you love today!

    Sara Easterly spent a lifetime looking for the perfect mother. As an adoptee she had difficulties attaching to her mother, struggled with her faith, lived the effects of intergenerational wounding, and felt an inherent sense of being unwanted that drove her to perfectionism, suicidal ideations, and fantasy mothers. When she became a mom, her search to find and become "the perfect mother" intensified ... until her mother's death launched a spiritual epiphany. Sara's perspective as an adoptee offers insight for anyone in the adoption constellation. And her hopeful story with themes of belonging, family, forgiveness, and being known are universally relevant to all mothers and daughters.Praise for Searching for Mom: "As an adoptive mom four times over, I'm hungry for the perspective of adult adoptees. Sara Easterly's Searching for Mom is powerfully delivered. Sara's vulnerable writing, backed up by research and supported by scripture, allowed me a valuable glimpse into the secret places in the hearts of my children." --Shannan Martin, Author of The Ministry of Ordinary Places and Falling Free"I entered into Sara Easterly's story expecting a riveting narrative--which it is, to be sure. What I didn't expect was a story that would speak to me so personally. Searching for Mom is, on the surface, a memoir about adoption. Beyond that, though, it's also a book about our common quest for wholeness, meaning, connection, belonging, and truth. Sara explores these deeply universal themes with unflinching honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability, which means this book will speak straight to your heart and soul--whether you are an adoptee or not." --Michelle DeRusha, Author of True You: Letting Go of Your False Self to Uncover the Person God Created"A touching story of raw daughter-mother attachment with all its imperfections and heartaches, together with surprising twists and redemptive forgiveness. It rings true because it is truly delivered." --Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D., Founder, Neufeld Institute, and best-selling author of Hold On to Your Kids"Fiercely personal, Sara's memoir exposes the cracks in her formerly sugarcoated adoption story. Sara perseveres in seeking the truth, revealing the painful wounds of adoption loss. We follow her journey to healing with both her mothers, which unexpectedly culminates in a newfound understanding of God's mothering." --Haley Radke, Creator and host of Adoptees On podcast"Sara has written a disarmingly honest memoir about pursuing truth--truth about herself, her faith, her family, and even truth about her pursuit of truth. She beautifully conveys that a genuine pursuit of truth becomes the soil in which healing love grows. A worthwhile read from beginning to end." --Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor of Bethany Community Church and author of The Map is Not the Journey and The Colors of Hope"A beautiful piece of work. Sara speaks the truth in this book and the truth sets people free!" --Sundee Frazier, Award-winning author of Check All That Apply and the Cleo Edison Oliver series"Sara Easterly has created a fearlessly beautiful story of a daughter's search for a kind of perfect love she actually--in the end and much to her own surprise--finds." --Anne Heffron, Author of You Don't Look Adopted

    Hillegonds took a one-way flight from Chicago to Colorado in hopes of leaving his mounting rage and frustration behind. His plan was simple: snowboard, hang out, live an uncomplicated life.The Distance Between chronicles how Hillegonds’s plan went awry after he immediately jumped head first into a turbulent relationship with April, a Denny’s coworker and single mother. At once passionate and volatile, their relationship was fueled by vodka, crystal methamphetamine, and poverty—and it sometimes became violent. Mere months after moving to the mountains, when the stakes felt like they couldn’t be higher, Hillegonds learned April was pregnant with his child. More than just a harrowing story of addiction and abuse or a simple mea culpa, The Distance Between is a finely wrought exploration of, and reckoning with, absent fathers, fatherhood, violence, adolescent rage, white male privilege, and Hillegonds’s own toxic masculinity. With nuance and urgency, The Distance Between takes readers through the grit of life on the margins while grappling with the problematic nature of one man’s existence.

    It was amazing how much people assumed by a simple glance. An outfit, an expression, a tone of voice. Anyone could pretend to be anything. Today, I was a rich girl.”Thirteen-year-old Rose Wells is determined to make it on her own. Running from authority one last time, the forest has become her home and the cafe her source of food. Fear driven determination will keep her here as long as she can help it. But not everybody is okay with that. Alex and Jenni Johnson will do whatever they can to find their foster daughter and bring her home, longing to give her the genuine love she’s never known.Over the course of a single summer, hearts are broken, scars exposed, friendships blossom, and ultimately a greater truth is learned.A greater God is understood.Purchase a signed copy at geoturtle.com/shop/

    And they want to share that joy with other families.   Follow these best buddies as they celebrate all the heartwarming meanings of adoption, from hearing “I love you” to the happiness of having a forever family.   Little ones will learn that God blesses families with children in a variety of ways. Each family is unique, and every child, whether birthed, adopted, or fostered, is equally important to the Lord.   Adopted and foster children will relate to this simple and charming story told from Reagan’s point of view.

    She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her boyfriend of three years has left her. His new lover is her manager. Her bitterness is compounded by the fact that Trish has made bad choices when it comes to past relationships. Much of it stemming from her own issues as an adopted child from Korea. She holds herself partly responsible for the breakdown in their relationship as she tries to fit into the stereotype of the 'All American' girlfriend.When she moves out to a new home, she encounters Michael Quentin. Not only is he her neighbor but also a local chef on the island, who romances her and helps her get over the betrayal. As Michael and Trish fall in love, their childhood issues resurface. Can Trish stop herself from loving Michael whose own family's dark past is holding him back? Can she ignore his love for tradition and roots?

    With My Back to the World tells the stories of three women: Rudie, who is editing a documentary in Hamilton in 2010; historical artist Agnes Martin, who decides in 1974 after seven years’ exile in New Mexico to begin painting again; and Ellen, a black woman burying her husband in 1870 on an Ontario homestead. Each of these women is waiting for the arrival of an unexpected child and their interconnected stories explore how society’s, and our own, ideas of what it means to be a woman, a mother and an artist change over time. Evocative and introspective, With My Back to the World tells the complicated stories of how different women find faith in themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

    When her mother cannot tell her, the girl decides to find out for herself. Her journey starts with a question to the stork who nests on the roof of her home, and leads her on a quest through the woods, tracing her own story back to its source with the help of the animals she meets, until she discovers what truly matters in making a family. A beautiful, timeless story with a fairytale feel, this picture book from acclaimed screenwriter Irena Brignull and exciting new talent Richard Jones is a gorgeous gift to share with someone special.

    A determined orphan, Marigold wants to help but the guards won’t allow her inside the castle. Will she ever get the chance to cure the king and save the kingdom?

    Each of the twelve families interviewed has a dedicated chapter in which at least one representative tells their family's adoption story. Woven through these stories are topical chapters that explore the common challenges these families face, including the complications that accompany transracial adoptions, helping children understand adoption, relationships with birth parents, and raising a traumatized child. Each year, over 50,000 children are adopted from the US Foster Care System. Informative and diverse in scope, All the Sweeter provides a resource to families considering adoption, families in the process of adoption, and families who have already adopted children from foster care--with the ultimate goal of facilitating a better life for the children they bring into their lives.

    

     This devotional is a gift to you from 30 authors, all foster and adoptive parents, who offer a window into their own lives and families. You’ll recognize yourself time and time again in their words. Faith, Hope, & Connection: A 30-Day Devotional for Adoptive and Foster Parents is a treasure-trove of wisdom and grace for foster and adoptive families.

    Filled with real-life stories and practical advice, Called to Care starts by helping you honestly assess your motivation to help--sometimes the wrong motivation sets the stage for an unsuccessful experience. From there, the book shows what adoption and foster care really look like in a variety of situations, from domestic and international adoptions to short-term foster care and foster-to-adopt arrangements. Also included is how churches and individuals can minister to refugees. Rounding out this comprehensive yet concise book are tips for assessing your preparedness, how to meet common emotional and physical challenges, and the most effective ways to help families stay together and thrive.Bethany is a global nonprofit that supports children and families with world-class social services, all designed to help families thrive. We believe every child deserves to be loved, connected, and empowered through family.