Much of the media during National Adoption Month is focused on talking to adoptive parents or prospective adoptive parents and professionals working to place children in permanent homes. But just as important is the views and perspectives of the adopted or foster youth themselves. A new book released this month, Dear Wonderful You: Letters to Adopted and Fostered Youth, speaks from the perspectives of those who experienced foster care and adoption. In this volume, the 28 contributors from all types of adoptions – domestic, international, transracial, same-race, foster – write a letter directly to the future adopted/fostered youth, sharing insights from their lives and experiences. Edited by Diane Rene Christensen and Mei-Mei Akwai Ellerman, PhD., this book is available as an e-book or paperback. For more information about the book, click here.
Bryan Tucker, director of the film Closure, has created a film interviewing the authors of Dear Wonderful You. You can view the interviews with the authors below.
And one other recommended source for adopted and foster youth is the book, Pieces of Me: Who do I want to Be, Edited by Bert Ballard. In Pieces of Me, authors from ages 11-63 write about their thoughts and feelings about being adopted/fostered.
Both of these resources would be idea for any adopted/foster youth in your life and for parents and professions to understand the perspectives of those for whom this month is all about.