Publishers Weekly
★ 11/15/2021
Adoptee Thoughts podcaster Guida-Richards (Bedtime, the Ultimate Battle) takes on racism in the adoption industry in this trenchant survey. Born in Colombia and adopted by a family in the United States, Guida-Richards shares the trauma and complex emotions she experienced after she learned about her adoption at age 19: she struggled with her identity and was accused of being ungrateful if she asked questions. In highlighting what she considers the systemic racism in adoption, Guida-Richards calls out practices such as agencies charging prospective parents a higher fee to adopt a white infant than to adopt a Black infant. Additionally, she writes, adoptions in America have historically functioned to “uphold racially homogenous families.” Countering white savior attitudes, color blindness, toxic positivity, and entitlement is critical for creating more ethical adoptions, Guida-Richards suggests. To that end, she encourages prospective parents to ask themselves tough questions before they choose to adopt (such as “What kind of anti-racist work am I involved in?”), to accept the truth that their child will face racism, and to be active listeners. She’s incisive, and her arguments are eye-opening. This is a powerful, worthwhile addition to the growing body of work on race and parenting. Agent: Tina Wainscott, the Seymour Agency. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
"A powerful, worthwhile addition to the growing body of work on race and parenting."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Melissa Guida-Richards lays bare a painful truth: That loss is central to adoption. For those who are adopted transracially and transnationally, the disappearance of culture, familiarity, and language carry added complexity. With grace and sensitivity, Guida-Richards offers clear, insightful guidance for adoptive parents to help their sons and daughters navigate the isolation, racism, and longing they inevitably feel.”
—Gabrielle Glaser, author of American Baby
“Melissa Guida-Richards offers a generous summary of the multifaceted and often-controversial practice of transracial adoption. Part confession, part guide, and part intellectual invitation, Guida-Richards offers expertise with patience and wit. This is a book of experiential knowledge from a transracially adopted person who has thought deeply about the subject. A book that is a true gift to those with enough courage to face it and themselves.”
—Jenny Heijun Wills, author of Older Sister. Not Necessarily Related.
“Guida-Richards provides a powerful and honest look at some of the most important topics in transracial adoption—topics that have historically all too often been avoided in conversations not only between adoptive parents, but between adoptive parents and their transracially adopted child: white saviorism, white privilege, racial identity, and much more. This should be on the mandatory reading and education list for ALL prospective adoptive parents.”
—Christine Heimann, founder of Adoptee Bridge, a nonprofit providing post-adoption support for transracial adoptees and their families
“I’m an adoptive parent, I consult hopeful adoptive parents in their adoption journey, and I’m an avid adoption book enthusiast. This book is the most comprehensive, relevant, and recommended book to anyone connected and wanting to do better in adoption.”
—Paige Knipfer, owner of Love Grown Adoption Consulting
“What White Parents Should Know about Transracial Adoption tackles the most necessary yet overlooked intricacies of adoption, refusing to gloss over the realities that children of color face. Guida-Richards has delivered a culturally relevant must-read for parents to advance their anti-racism education and to become strong advocates for their children.”
—Kira Omans, actor, model, advocate, and transracial adoptee
Library Journal
08/01/2021
Guida-Richards didn't learn until age 19 that her white American parents had adopted her from Colombia. When she tried to read up on adoption, she found mostly materials written by agencies, mental health professionals, or parents who had adopted; there were few resources from an adoptee's perspective and almost none from a transracial and transnational perspective. This book is an attempt to bridge the gap. Guida-Richards writes that adoptees often struggle with self-destructive thoughts or insecurities, so parents who adopt must learn to help their kids process these emotions. She discusses microaggressions, implicit bias, white saviorism, and other challenges that multiracial kids face, with a special focus on the complications that adoption (particularly by a white parent) can add to these struggles. Her focus is on transnational transracial adoptions; other books may better address transracial adoption within the U.S., specifically of Black and Indigenous children (see Susan Devan Harness's Bitterroot: A Salish Memoir of Transracial Adoption). Guida-Richards ends her book with responses to a survey of adoptees and parents. VERDICT A much-needed volume from an adoptee's perspective; sure to be a must-read for parents who adopt. Recommend alongside Nicole Chung's memoir All You Can Ever Know.
