This reading and research list below is not all-inclusive and has been compiled by Max Weinberg PhD, who is a transracial adoptive parent of two teenagers who lives in Chicagoland. Max is an experienced educator with a 25-year career that has included various roles, including teacher, principal, and school leadership coach. Max runs Belonging (www.belonging.education), an educational advising practice dedicated to strengthening student belonging at school through direct training and advocacy. Max holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Concordia University—Chicago. He also holds his Special Educator (LBS1) license and is completing his certification in English as a Second Language. We’re grateful to him for assembling andsharinG these resources with us.
Belongingness for Adopted and Looked-After Children
Recommended Reading List:
Bishop, R. S. (1990). Windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors. Perspectives, 6(3), ix-xi.,
Blum, R. W. (2005). A case for school connectedness. Educational leadership, 62(7), 16-20,
Doka, K. J. (1989). Disenfranchised grief: Recognizing hidden sorrow. Lexington Books/D. C. Heath and Com., Amazon.com: Disenfranchised Grief: New Directions, Challenges, and Strategies for Practice: 9780878224272: Kenneth J. Doka
Etter, I. (2023). A Practical Guide: Transracial Adoption., A Practical Guide: Transracial Adoption: Etter, Isaac, Etter, Julie: 9798862697698
Geddes, H. (2006). Attachment in the classroom: The links between children’s early experience, emotional well-being and performance in school. London: Worth Publishing., Attachment in the Classroom: The Links Between Children’s Early Experience, Emotional Well-being and Performance in School: Dr Heather Geddes: 9781903269084
Grant, K. B., & Ray, J. A. (Eds.). (2018). Home, school, and community collaboration: Culturally responsive family engagement. Sage Publications., Home, School, and Community Collaboration: Culturally Responsive Family Engagement: Grant, Kathy Beth, Ray, Julie A.: 9781506365732
Guidry, T. (2021, August 21). Adoptees are a largely ignored minority. Chicago Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-11-19-0711180195-story.html
Heffron, A. (2016). You don’t look adopted. Lulu. com, https://anneheffron.com/
Langton, E. G., & Boy, K. (2017). Becoming an Adoption-Friendly School: A Whole-School Resource for Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma Or Loss-With Complementary Downloadable Material. Jessica Kingsley Publishers., Amazon.com : Becoming an Adoption-Friendly School: A Whole-School Resource for Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma Or Loss
McNair, J. C. (2016). #WeNeedMirrorsAndWindows: Diverse classroom libraries for K–6 students. The Reading Teacher, 70(3), 375-381,
Mitchell, C. (n.d.). Adoption Awareness in Adoption Awareness in School Assignments: A Guide for Parents and Educators A Guide for Parents and Educator. http://www.adoptionpolicy.org/.
Morin, A. (2021). Adopted Children with Learning and Thinking Differences | LD, ADHD. Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/learning-and-thinking-differences-in-adopted-children
National Council for Adoption. “Back to School Resources Round Up – National Council for Adoption.” National Council for Adoption, 28 Nov. 2022, adoptioncouncil.org/article/back-to-school-resources-round-up.
The North American Council on Adoptable Children. (2019, October 15). Educational Needs of Children in Foster Care and Adoption. NACAC. https://nacac.org/advocate/nacacs-positions/educational-needs/
Oprah.com. (2023, October 8). What You Should Never Say to an Adopted Child. Retrieved October 8, 2023, from https://www.oprah.com/relationships/what-you-should-never-say-to-an-adopted-child/all
Pertman, A. (2011). Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming Our Families. Boston, MA: Harvard Common Press., Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming Our Families – and America: Pertman, Adam: 9781558327160
Ross, A. (2021, April 27). This Is What No One Tells You About Adoption. HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/adoption-trauma-savior-myth_n_608598b9e4b05af50db72167
Roszia, S. K., & Maxon, A. D. (2019, season-03). Seven Core Issues in Adoption and Permanency – The North American Council on Adoptable Children. The North American Council on Adoptable Children. https://nacac.org/resource/seven-core-issues-in-adoption-and-permanency/
Schoettle, M., Singer, E., & C.A.S.E.: Center for Adoption and Education (Eds.). (2016). Adoption at School. C.A.S.E. https://adoptionsupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/09-Adoption-at-School.pdf
Sobel, D. (2002). Children’s special places: Exploring the role of forts, dens, and bush houses in middle childhood. Wayne State University Press., Children’s Special Places: Exploring the Role of Forts, Dens, and Bush Houses in Middle Childhood (Landscapes of Childhood): Sobel, David: 9780814330265
Verrier, N. N. (1993). The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child. Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press., The Primal Wound: Nancy Newton Verrier: 9780963648006: Amazon.com: Books
Watson, M. (2018). Learning to Trust: Attachment Theory and Classroom Management. Oxford University Press., Amazon.com: Learning to Trust: Attachment Theory and Classroom Management eBook : Watson, Marilyn: Kindle Store
Whitney, T. (2022, June 29). Advocating for Your Foster or Kinship Child at School. Creating a Family. https://creatingafamily.org/foster-care/fostering-blog/advocating-for-your-foster-or-kinship-child-at-sch ool/
Whitney, T. (2022, July 11). The Dreaded Family Tree Assignment in Adoption. Creating a Family. https://creatingafamily.org/adoption-category/family-tree-assignment-adoption/