Adoption Nation

Cover via Amazon

Back in March of 1998, my husband and I were eagerly and anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby K.  It was also in March of ‘98 that The Boston Globe published Adam Pertman’s ground breaking series about adoption.  Pertman’s writing exposed some of the myths surrounding adoption and resulted in a Pulitzer Prize nomination.  As a hopeful soon-to-be adoptive mom, I was devouring anything adoption related and found his series to be a treasure trove of information.

Several years later, my husband and I were busy parenting K, and adoption was no longer the first thing on my mind.  Life was consumed with struggling to get out the door on-time for pre-school, getting shoes on the right feet, and keeping K out of our bed and in her own.   When I received an invitation to hear Adam Pertman speak about his new book Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming America, I wasn’t sure I had the energy for a grown up evening but decided to give it a try.  His talk was a riveting combination of his professional research and his personal experience.  Pertman and his wife Judy’s adoption of their two children had been part of his impetus for the Globe series.  My signed copy of Adoption Nation became a great addition to my adoption library.

Pertman left the Globe and became the Executive Director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute (www.adoptioninstitute.org), a non-profit dedicated to improving adoption policy and practices through research, education, and advocacy.   He become a leading expert in the field of adoption, writing commentary, delivering keynotes and is widely quoted in the media.

Since the publication of Adoption Nation in 2000, much has changed in the adoption landscape.  As a result, Adam has written a revised and updated edition titled:  Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming our Families — and America.  I look forward to reading this edition, which will available in April.  You can hear Pertman read portions of it, at a book signing on Tuesday, April 5 from 6 to 8pm at The Inn at Harvard, 1201 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA.  Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.  His presentation, reading and Q&A begin at 7 pm.  RSVP is requested to mleonard@adoptioninstitute.org.  It’s sure to be a great and educational evening.