Adopting Privilege: A Memoir of Reinventing My Adoptee Narrative by Dr. Abigail Hasberry is a memoir exploring transracial adoption from the perspective of a Black adoptee raised in a white family, who is also a birth mother and therapist. The book delves into themes of race, identity, and the complexities of adoption, offering guidance for adoptees and the broader adoption community by sharing Hasberry's personal experiences with the adoption industry, birth family search, and the concept of "adopting privilege". It aims to provide a voice for the adoptee experience, which is often marginalized in adoption narratives. 

https://adoptingprivilege.com

Book Corner – February 2026

All About Love: New Visions - By bell hooks

Published on December 22, 1999, bell hooks’ All About Love: New Visions was not just a book; it was the first book in an intervention trilogy. She shares her own heartbreaks, her struggles to find "true love," and her journey toward self-recovery.

hooks challenges us to move past the "disappearing act" often required in relationships. She insists that for love to exist, we must be allowed to exist as our whole, truthful selves. It is a call to move from transactional love (what can you do for me?) to transformational love (how can we grow together?).

Through thirteen rigorous chapters, hooks demonstrates that the "heart of connection" requires us to show up as our full selves—histories, wounds, and all. https://shop.gathergoodsco.com/products/all-about-love-new-visions-bell-hooks

We Can: Portraits of Power

Tyler Gordon

Preschool-Grade 3

Tyler Gordon is just 15 years old, but his distinctive portraits have been displayed in art galleries, on The Today Show, and on the cover of TIME Magazine. We Can: Portraits of Power introduces readers to 34 people who have inspired Tyler. There are athletes, entertainers, artists, writers, and political figures, including John Lewis, Maya Angelou, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Colin Kaepernick, Stacey Abrams, Serena Williams, Bob Marley, Lady Gaga, and many more. As Tyler says, “The people in this book are icons who have changed the world in their own groundbreaking ways. When I reflect on where I want to be in the future, I think about the accomplishments of these strong, brave people, and it gives me inspiration to put my all into everything I do.”

https://www.powells.com/book/we-can-portraits-of-power-9780374389666

Cemetery Songs

Julie Gilbert

Grades 8-12

Polly Stone lives with her white, adoptive parents in semi-rural Minnesota. When Polly’s biological mom dies from cancer, she runs across state lines to make it to her funeral or at least visit her grave. The police find Polly and return her back home. While mourning her loss, she decides to burn her adoption papers in a pile of kindling close to her school. The fire gets out of control and burns school property. Unable to focus on school, she takes time off. Polly plans to catch up over the summer and start her senior year in the fall, but struggles to get the work done. Polly’s only solace is her volunteer work at the local archive, where she is mentored by the town’s archivist, Tasha. Tasha is Black and supportive of Polly’s Black identity. They talk about HBCUs and have conversations like this: “People are always asking if they can touch my hair.” Tasha rolls her eyes. “Same. What else?” “Well, people stare a lot when I’m with my family, although that’s more of an adoption thing.” “It's a race thing, too.” “Yeah, and sometimes strangers ask dumb questions, like where I’m from. Or they’ll tell me how exotic I look or they say, ‘So, what are you?’” Polly and Tasha work on a research project together on property that’s about to be developed. They come to discover an old cemetery in Jessam Crossing. It may be a significant and historic site as it was part of a Black settlement. Polly knows a lot more than she and Tasha can discover from the archives, but how? Polly is able to communicate with a boy who is buried in the cemetery. With his help, they piece together the tragic tale of his demise, which is related to why his spirit cannot rest. Can they help each other heal and move on? In Gilbert’s “Recommended Reading” section she cites the work of Rhonda Roorda and Rita Simon including In Their Own Voices: Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories and In Their Parents’ Voices: Reflections on Raising Transracial Adoptees. "

https://www.abebooks.com/Cemetery-Songs-Gilbert-Julie-Lakestone-Press/30771310417/bd

Homemade Love

bell hooks
Illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Baby and Up

Mama calls her Girlpie, and she’s Daddy’s honey bun chocolate dew drop. But when she does something naughty, will Mama and Daddy still love her? YES! This colorful board book is a sweet celebration of family love.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30873322398&dest=usa