So many choices! Let’s be honest! Sometimes it can be difficult digging through the vast amount of resources to find a specific book to read, talored to our own experiences and interests.
Maybe you are curious about foster care? Maybe you want to read about adoption? Maybe you like personal narratives? Or need a doctor’s perspective on behaviors or Reactive Attachment Disorder? Maybe you have questions about trans-racial adoption? Or struggle with isolation and fears after a recent overseas adoption?
Well, I can relate! And as a blogger, but also as an adoptive mom and a foster mom of fourteen years, sometimes a blog post (including mine) on the internet might not cut it…you simply want to read more!
In light of my own curiousity, my bookshelves and countless hours lined with stories that surely have become the framework for what our family does today, I thought I would add a list of some of the books I’ve read, a selection from my own personal library.
My prayers are that as you continue to grow and learn, you capture God’s heart for parentless children.
Rich Faith Rising’s Foster and Adoption Book Reading List and Summary:
Rich in Love: When God Rescues Messy People by Irene and Domingo Garcia – Irene and Domingo Garcia are the real deal. Friends with Francis and Lisa Chan, my husband and I got chance to meet them in person at a local conference, “Refresh“. What I love about this couple’s story is that it shares extensively about the troubled beginnings of both Irene and Domingo and how God doesn’t just choose the polished, but more often uses real people, like you and me,broken vessel’s to reveal His glory.
This couple so beautifully points their lives towards Jesus, giving Him their bumps and bruises. As a result, He changes them profusely, allowing them to touch dozens of children, adopting nearly two dozen on their journey.
If you are not already amazed by this couple’s incredible faith, get this…they also are homeschool parents.
If you want a powerful story of redemption focused on local foster care and adoption, this book is for you.
Small Town, Big Miracle: How Love Came To The Least Of These (Focus On The Family Books) by D.C. Martin – This is one of the most remarkable stories about how one man, a pastor, and his wife, took the initiative and transformed his entire community, through faith in God and a love for children. God called this pastor to instill upon his congregation the heart of God (James 1:27)….to care for the widows and the orphans.
One of my all time favorite stories on foster care, not just because this pastor literally rid his entire community from foster kids needing care, but alsobecause the heart behind this man exemplified God’s unrelenting perseverance…the kind God has for us.
Too often stories can blend with the authors own personal bias, especially when it comes to foster care and adoption…but this story isn’t one of them. Pastor Martin’s heart and writing fully reflect God and this book is written as if looking straight through His eyes; pure, undefiled, grace-filled, unrelenting, persevering, to care for those in his community needing families.
If you want a story that is about radically changing a community, pure religion in every sense of the world, and what unrestrained faith can do, this is the one for you. Inspiring, heartwarming, fully demonstrating the radical work of God, and how mountains can move, when we abandon ourselves to Him, and willingly be His hands and feet.
Both Ends Burning by Craig Juntunen – Another radical story of redemption. This book is not a Christian book, but this man’s story is revolutionary and reflects God’s fervent pursuit of not only the orphan, but the adoptive parent’s heart.
Both Ends Burning is about a man who had seemingly reached the ceiling of his life; wealth, a wife, fancy dinners he found empty and not satisfying. Then, Craig got invited to Haiti with one of his golfing buddies. There, everything changed. Craig’s heart became soft, pallable, tender and uncharacteristically compassionate. On his trip to Haiti, the author became crushed at the need he saw all around him, and although he said he would never have kids…he ended up adopting not just one, but two children from Haiti.
This story described how our lives are changed when we step out of our world and let grace change us. Many have been impacted by this story of an expanded heart, transformed and changing a man who adopted internationally from Haiti. Part of this story also talks about what life can honestly look like, when kids return home after being adopted internationally. Oh how priorities change when decide to follow instead of lead.
If you question changing your comfortable world, have yet to adopt, or just want to see how a corporate world can be blessed by the gift of adoption, this book won’t disappoint. And you might just find love is worth the risk.
Castaway Kid: One Man’s Search for Hope and Home (Focus On The Family Books) by R.B. Mitchell – Castaway kid is a story of one young man who “aged out” of foster care. (a.k.a. Stayed in the system until he reached age eighteen and never got “officially” adopted)
This book is not an easy story to read, but one that will give you insight into what it means to be a teen in foster care. You will see from the eyes of someone who never finds his forever family.
This story also shares honestly about the pull kids feel between “being safe” and staying with their biological parents. It can give insight into how mentors can make a difference in a child’s life and how children, regardless of age, desperately want above all else, to belong.
If you work with, mentor, teach, or are thinking of fostering teens or older child adoption, this book is for you.
Wait No More: One Family’s Amazing Adoption Journey (Focus On The Family Books) by Kelly & John Rosati – What is unique about this story is that the mom and writer, Kelly, is a gifted lawyer. Her journey is one that I think is frequent and necessary in the foster/adoption arena; one of warfare, determination, and one that requires a legal system to work for a child…not against it.
We can learn alot from Kelly in that she didn’t just lay down and accept whatever happened with these children…she fought for them, tenaciously. I love Kelly’s enthusiasm in this book and how although she adopted some kids with horrific stories, she was determined to be more than a parent, but a worker of justice, a parent who changed the system to protect more kids in the future from falling into such horrible heartbreak.
If you want a more realistic look at the legal implications and tenacity required to fight for these kids, this book will motivate you, for sure. It’s a book of justice, determined love, and hope.
Choosing To See by Mary Beth Chapman – If you are not familiar with Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman, you need to be. They run, Show Hope and are on the forefront of international adoptions.
Their focus is China, but their ministry now financially supports those adopting domestically as well. Mary Beth’s writing is about as candid as you can get, brutally honesty, and refreshingly tuthful about their family’s journey to fly to get three precious little angels from China. If you know anything about the Chapman’s story, you “get” that this book also helps address unexpected loss, and how even in grief and suffering…we can, “Choose To See”.
If you aretired of the “happy”, “perfect stories” of adoption and orphan ministry, check out Mary Beth’s candid look at how to keep the faith when things don’t go our way. Mary teaches us, there is faith at the end of every hard story, hope that lies waiting, if we just cling to the one who knows every ending and is with us through every mountain and valley.
Are We There Yet: Adopting And Raising 22 Kids by Sue and Hector Badeau – 22 kids! Can you believe it? Do you want to read about one amazing family who surpasses what some might like to neatly package as “orphan ministry”? This is your family!
I guarantee you will fall in love with this fun, wildly-adventurous, faith-filled, yet, down to earth family. Sue works politically on the foster care front, and Hector is a dad that makes all dad’s look like, “Dead beats”. Together they make one incredible team; not only adopting twenty-one kids, but traveling, speaking, taking long road trips, and constantly thinking outside the box to make what God gives them as a blessing after blessing. Special needs adoption, heartbreaking loss, this family is guaranteed to change and expand profoundly what you think you are capable of.
Want big faith? A family that will stretch your understanding of fostering? One that will change you? This is it.
Damaged by Cathy Glass – I am not going to lie, this was one of the hardest reads for me; a story written by an ex-foster parent about a girl severely “damaged”. Don’t be fooled, this book has no fairy-tale ending and is not for the faint-hearted. At the same time, you will get an inside glimpse of the unveiling of secrets often hidden behind the lives of many kids in foster care.
Cathy writes smoothly and the read is effortless. Her insight into these kids is inspiring, her wisdom into fostering is something we all can learn from, and her patience and determination to pull the best out of every child is something to be emulated time and time again.
If you want a real, raw, honest look into the lives of those in foster care, brace yourself, for “Damaged”.
To The End Of June – by Cris Beam – This book asks great questions, like, “Who decides the correct way to raise a child when money, politics, poverty, race and competing parenting philosophies collide? What if there is no moral chessboard? What if a child’s right to protection from harm has been trampled on so often, and the child has been so damaged, that even the most well-meaning foster parent will throw up her hands and send the kid packing — again? And who should get to keep a child when no one wants him? What happens then?”
The history and research behind the domestic foster system is length and extensive. Love facts, personal stories, and a straight-up look at what is keeping kids caught in the legal system? Dig no further. This book will fascinate you.
Acres Of Hope by Patty Anglin with Joe Musser – Patty’s story of her adoption and foster journey can be described in one word, “provision”. The thread through her journey is trusting God & letting Him use you in your weakness. As a result, He will provide; financially, emotionally, and physically. Patty’s story begins with her miraculous healing after being blind for six months. The entire book written was divinely orchestrated. Patty shares about how love and trust can break down walls and how living following His footsteps can open the door to even more inspired ministry.
If you question God’s faithfulness, or doubt God can use you because you are single, have been divorced, or have physical limitations…think again. This book will prove you otherwise and challenge your understanding of what God is capable of doing.
Too Small To Ignore – Dr. Wes Stafford – Wes Stafford is the former President and CEO of Compassion International. Wes has unique insight into the reality of kids from other countries; and how as American’s, we need not have pity on them.
Wes grew up in Africa and has a deep love for children from all different nations. His story is one of faith, communicating what it means to love like God does, the needy children of this world. My entire mindset and perspective changed after reading this book. No more pity, or “Savior” mentality, just a wide-eyed look at how God cares for the “least of these” using people just like me and you.
Tip toeing into this orphan ministry thing? Want a glimpse of His heart for children? Read this.
The Connected Child: Bringing Hope And Healing To Your Adoptive Family by This book is less of an easy read book, and more of a type of handbook. The focus is more about building attachment and trust, dealing with behavior disorders, and disciplining with love.
The authors are exquisite in understanding children and their unique challenged related to fostering and adoption. This book is for domestic and international adoptive parents and is a vital resource for anyone who has ever adopted.
If you have already embarked on the adoption journey, this book might be a useful, informative resource for you.
Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools For Today’s Parents by Deborah D. Gray – Attaching in Adoption is a comprehensive guide for prospective and adoptive parents. Deborah Gray is unique in her field, focusing on the need neglected and abused children have to attach. A lack of attachment, or disorganized attachment can later lead to RAD.
Deborah offers practical tools that are proven to increase the bond between child and adoptive parents. My family has personally used her methods and have found they have worked wonders, especially in our present foster daughter. A great book for international adoptive parents or people who are parenting neglected children, or are themselves, struggling to connect.
Struggling to bond, connect, or repair trauma in an adopted child? Check out these methods.
A Compassionate Call To Counter Culture by David Platt – David Platt is the author of “Radical”, a well-known preacher, and a fellow adoptive parent. David’s take on caring for widows and orphans is persuasive and Biblical.
This book is seasoned with Scripture, facts, insight, and the call to all of us to “take care of the widows and orphans”. Platt is blunt and won’t hold back when it comes to addressing our Biblical mandate to care for the least of these in our society.
Do you like a more theological and pastoral bent, Biblical evidence for why we should care for the orphans in our society? This book will leave you with clear instruction and mandates, not questioning one bit, God’s heart or purpose for the orphan.
Adopted For Life by Russell D. Moore: The Priority For Adoption For Christian Families And Churches by Russell D. Moore & C.J. Mahany – This book offers the full spectrum regarding the necessity to adopt. It is a very direct call to adoption, and does not give weight for excuses or the “outs” many of us might use to justify our complacency.
The premise of this book is that God adopted us, and as a result we too should grab the heart of our Father who loves us, running with the same purpose; to bring others into our family. Moore is also an adoptive dad, bringing home two boys from Russia.
If you are waffling about adoption and are a Christian, this book might make you take the leap.
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge – You might be thinking adoption is like raising any other child. Unfortunately, adoption comes with grieving, loss, and sometimes walls and negative emotions unique to the journey of adoption.
This book is clear and concise, an excellent tool to help you get inside your adopted child’s mind.
At times, it was difficult to read, but at the same time, this book really helped shatter the mindset that adoption will make everything perfect for your child. This book was a catalyst for more heartfelt communication, open-ness, and understanding between parent and our adopted child.
Are there walls, denial, or behaviors in your adopted child? This is a must read for every adoptive or hopeful adoptive parent.
Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis – I can’t tell you how many of these books I have purchased and given away. Perfect for young girls, or anyone who wants to grab God’s heart for the hurting or children in need of parents. This book is a must read!
Katie was a young girl who went to Africa and was forever changed. She is now a twenty-something mom to thirteen Ugandian orphans. She not only adopted, but remains in Uganda, having a ministry that feeds thousands.
Katie will blow your world apart showing you what it means to give our lives faithfully, making His call our life work. Katie writes clearly, humbly, God-dependently, and is truly one of my favorite modern day missionaries. Katie also writes a blog, “On Earth As It Is In Heaven”, and has been known to be called a modern-day, Mother Teresa.
Feeling tired, weary? Need to recharge your faith, be filled with hope, expand your vision of caring for the orphan? Come laugh and cry and be transformed by Katie’s story.
No Greater Love by Levi Benkert – This book is simply gripping. “Mingi Killings” have been taking place among children in Ethiopia unnecessarily, tragically. Levi and his family, reeling from the economic crash, long to reinvent themselves and jump on a wild ride to save those on the verge of destruction. I don’t want to give away the story, but you won’t be able to put this book down. It lets you inside the world of children in third world countries and will make you want to live bold, wild, on the edge of His perfect plan. Because let’s face it…caring for the outcast is a life calling that can, at times, literally save lives.
Felt like you life is a rollercoaster? Can’t quite put your finger on what God wants you to do with your future? Feel stuck between a life of purpose and your own will? Follow this journey.
There Is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene – Come on a journey to Africa, where Aids has ravished a land and the children seem to be it’s most vulnerable victims. Melissa writes this fabulous story, incredibly beautifully. I couldn’t stop reading, actually feeling like I was right there in Africa with her. It’s about a lady who didn’t say “no” to the children left and abandon of the streets all around her, those victims to poverty and disease. Out of terrible hardship and tragedy, she decides out of necessity to open her home to hundreds of children.
Melissa is a recipient of this lady’s life work. I thought I knew what poverty and disease were before reading this story, but the truth is…I had no clue.
This book will break you..in a good way. It doesn’t give you a window, but literally pulls you through the story into the lives of so many waiting children in third world countries…desperate for family.
Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption And Orphan Care by Tony Merida and Rick Morton – I like this book because it goes straight to the very heart of orphan care in our nation. It discusses how we used to deal with parent-less children in the past, giving you a full scope of what has changed.
Here, you will read personal stories as well as grasp a full picture of what God might be calling you to do in regards to orphan ministry. This book is full of history, ideas, insights, and grace when it comes to caring for children in need….displaying, orphan care is not one “one size, fits all” ministry.
If you have a heart for the orphan but do not yet grip what role you might be called to play, this book is for you. You’ll likely finish this book with action steps, ready to charge forward, towards your calling.
Leap of Faith by Jill Norton – A real honest look at adoption through foster care. Leap of Faith doesn’t gloss over the trials or difficulties, but also portrays the blessings of adoption. Written as a conversational read, it’s like sitting down to coffee with Jill.
This book gives you a peak into the lives of her adopted children, as well as discusses insights into the truth about mixing bios with adopted siblings. I love the honest tone, as well as the underline message that foster parenting is a family affair, a journey of hardships, as well as a pathway that in the end is worth every minute of it.
If you want an easy read, and/or are thinking about older child adoption or what it means to parent kids who have been in the system, this will get your feet wet, but yet, not scare you away from the journey.
The House of Hope: God’s love for the abandoned orphans of China by Elisabeth Gifford – Forward by Steven Curtis Chapman and endorsed by Francis Chan.
The House of Hope, takes a story of two broken people and displays how God can use them to care for the orphans of China, despite their imperfections.
Robin and Joyce Hill gave up their wealthy expatriate life in China to take care of abandoned orphans in their home. Soon, the Child Welfare Institute’s across China were asking them to help. Finding surgical procedures both locally and internationally for the most needy children, Robin and Joyce’s story is one of humble perseverance and dedication, resulting in their ministry rescuing over 1000 children throughout China.
Want a true story of inspiration? Have a heart for international adoption? Let this book encourage you, impart upon you, God’s heart for the abandoned and most needy.
The Family Nobody Wanted
by Helen Doss – Before the whole adoption movement, Helen Doss trail-blazed what it looked like to not onlyadopt or have a big family. She broke protocol, went against a current, adopting ten deemed, “unadoptable” children simply because of their mixed heritage.
This book is really a classic in the adoption community, and will saturate your heart with nothing but love for Helen’s beautiful children, but also with her whole family. Helen’s writing pulls you instantly, into her story. This book teaches, it doesn’t take wealth or influence to lead the way in the adoption community. It simply takes a willing heart, and the kind of love preached by Helen’s Methodist minister husband.
The Family Nobody wanted was originally published in 1954. It opened the door to family’s like ours, who are of multi-racially. This book also inspired two films.
Are you looking for humor, light-hearted truth married to brilliant, unparalleled love that spans beyond races? Are you a trans-racial family or looking to adopt outside of your race? This book will inspire you beyond words.
The Out of Sync Child
by Carol Stock Kranowtiz, M.A. – Sensory Processing Disorder. Something, if you’ve ever been a foster parent, you are likely well aware of. Kids with past trauma, or who are on the spectrum of autism, often deal with Sensory issues, possibly unrecognizable at first, but a key issue needing looks into.
This book offers practical, real-life help for kids who are over or under responsive to environmental stimuli. Does your child have problems with coordination? A high activity level? Are they distracted easily? This manuel offers drug-free solutions to make everyday life easier for both you and your foster or adopted child.
At the end of your rope? Tired of doctor prescribed medications? Want real solutions for your sensitive child? Here is a contribution worth investing in.
More Than “I” Can Handle
by Eileen Mestas – This story will take you on the ride, both ups and downs of a family who turned to God and allowed Him to bend their will towards His calling, to care for the orphan in the midst of distress.
Despite roadblocks that might have made the average family stumble in faith, this family rises, sometimes in their own weakness, and sees the provision and protection, direction and leading of a Father who loves the orphan even more than they do.
Lack faith? Question your calling? Worried you won’t have enough to raise funds for adoption? This family will spur you on, towards faith and good works, especially when it comes to adopting the once orphaned.
Saving Levi, Left to Die…Destined to Live by Lisa Misraue Bentley – This book is so special to me, not just because it’s of the miraculous redemption of a little boy in China, but because after reading it, I unknowingly tumbled upon they orphanage and people who were a part of rescuring this boy, while traveling overseas.
This story will change you. It will stop you in your tracks and make you question and prioritize what really matters and who you see as worthy or redeemable. Saving Levi will have you on the edge of your seat, weeping and praising a God who sees a little boy, half way around the world. And then, moved multiple nations to bring about His saving.
Need some inspiration? Want to see how God loves all children, even the ones left alone to die? Needing hope to believe against for your own child? This is the book for you.
The Lucky Few
by Heather Avis – Adoption is something completely different than you ever thought it was going to be. It can also be so much better than even you had planned. This is Heather Avis journey. A journey of stepping out of her own personal plans and into the plans of something higher than her own dreams.
This story is unique in that it highlight special needs adoption, more specifically Down Syndrome adoption. Heather’s heart is uparralel in her passion and determination to fight for her kids, and it is clear as you read this that love has no limitations, not even when it comes to an added chromosome.
Wondering if you should step out in a big way? Wanting to be led? Needing to give up your dreams and accept His higher purposes? You will be inspired by the love highted in this book by Heather Avis.
These are just a few of the books I have read on foster care and adoption. Would love to hear your suggestions.
As I read more, I will likely be adding to this list. So, please, come back frequently for more suggestions.
MY VIDEO REVIEWS OF SELECT BOOKS ABOVE
My Top 5 Non-Fiction Foster Care Book Suggestions
(All rights to this list are protected and belong to Rich Faith Rising)
