Including More Than 450 Adoptee-Recommended Titles!

Adoption-Themed Books for Middle Grades

  • An-Ya and Her Diary

    An-Ya and Her Diary

    by Diane René Christian

    An-Ya and Her Diary chronicles the journey of a fictional eleven-year-old adoptee from China. Written in diary format, young An-Ya reveals her emotional journey as she is catapulted from a Chinese orphanage into a middle class home in America. Author: Diane René Christian Publication Year: 2012 Critical…

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  • For Black Girls Like Me

    For Black Girls Like Me

    by Mariama J. Lockington

    Makeda June Kirkland is eleven-years-old, adopted, and black. Her parents and big sister are white, and even though she loves her family very much, Makeda often feels left out. When Makeda’s family moves from Maryland to New Mexico, she leaves behind her best friend, Lena―…

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  • Hey, Kiddo

    Hey, Kiddo

    by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

    In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka’s teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett’s family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett’s life. His father…

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  • Kimchi & Calamari

    Kimchi & Calamari

    by Rose Kent

    There are worse things in the world than being adopted. But right now Joseph can’t think of one. Joseph Calderaro has a serious problem. His social studies teacher has given him an impossible assignment: an essay about ancestors. Ancestors, as in dead people you’re related…

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  • The Girl and the Grove

    The Girl and the Grove

    by Eric Smith

    Teenager Leila’s life is full of challenges. From bouncing around the foster care system to living with seasonal affective disorder, she’s never had an easy road. Leila keeps herself busy with her passion for environmental advocacy, monitoring the Urban Ecovists message board and joining a…

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  • Unstoppable

    Unstoppable

    by Tim Green

    If anyone understands the phrase “tough luck,” it’s Harrison. As a foster kid in a cruel home, he knows his dream of one day playing in the NFL is a longshot. Then Harrison is brought into a new home with kind, loving parents—his new dad…

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