I’m ready to be a little controversial: I think I’m better at recommending books for children and tweens than many parents, despite not having children of my own. And I think I’m better at recommending kids’ books because I don’t have children.
I carry my identity as a child with me into adulthood. That identity is not in conflict with any identity as a parent. I have no ego I’m trying to protect as I choose books for kids. I’m using my compassion for my child self and my adult judgment together. How that translates is that when I’m looking for children’s books, I’m centering the children’s story over the parents’. And this has gotten me in some hot water! I will never forget a disagreement I had at a previous job about choosing children’s books about autism. I was never going to get my interlocutor to agree that we should prioritize children’s books by autistic authors over children’s books written by parents of autistic children. That was quite a few years ago now, but I will still die on that hill.
I have more autonomy for this list of books about adoption for kids and tweens. So I’m delighted to report that very single one of these books was written by a person who was adopted. I value their experiences and opinions. I love that these books aren’t afraid to be a little challenging; they’re not here to provide easy answers to difficult questions. So if you have a kid in your life who could use a book about adoption, I’ll recommend you check these ones out first. I’ve got two picture books and two middle grade books for you.
Own Voices Books About Adoption for Kids and Tweens
Hello, Sweet Baby: An Adoption Journey by Janeen Jackson, illustrated by Brittanie Gaja
This sweet picture book uses an adoption scenario involving adorable anthropomorphic tomatoes to share the author’s own story. Janeen Jackson has chronicled her journey about discovering her adoption story as an adult on her website. This book is sensitive to the tough choices pregnant people have to make about adoption, and offers readers “things to consider” to facilitate discussion.
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Adoption Is Both by Elena S Hall, illustrated by Lara Norris
This is a very accessible book about the complex feelings adopted children may experience. The author, who was born in Russia but adopted by an American family, shares her life through the lens of adoption on Instagram. Even outside of the context of adoption, this book provides a great lesson for kids to understand that a situation can make them both happy and sad, and that those feelings are allowed to coexist.
The One Who Loves You the Most by medina
This middle grade novel in verse stars Gabriela, who is starting a new school year and trying to find their authentic self. Experiencing body dysmorphia alongside the complexities of being a transracial adoptee is a lot for a kid, and Gabriela’s character is written with real warmth. The book sometimes has a stream-of-consciousness feel, but it also incorporates poetry and even Gabriela’s school assignments. Author medina shares their story on the Adoptees On podcast.
You Only Live Once, David Bravo by Mark Oshiro
Mark Oshiro has written books about transracial adoptees for both young adult and middle grade audiences. They have spoken about centering this specific audience in an interview with Subjectify Media. You Only Live Once, David Bravo follows the titular character as he embarks on a nightmare project for adopted kids: a presentation about heritage. But he has bigger worries when he wishes to fix a mistake and ends up time traveling, which only makes things worse. The result is funny, weird, and touching all at once.
If you’re looking for more books in this vein, we’ve got you covered. There are lots more books about adoption, as well as books about foster families and nontraditional families. You might guess my advice: seek out the books that put the kids first!
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