A timely view of  DNA searches, adoption reunion, and what makes family… family.

Found: Adopted Friends Search for their Birth Families

Lifelong friends – both adoptees – decided they would take a chance and search for their birth parents using online DNA kits and social media. It turns out, that was the easy part. What happened over the next five years was much more difficult – trying to forge relationships with a multitude of related strangers while navigating decades of invisible and unexpected emotional land mines. This is what they found.

Whether you're connected with adoption or not, "Found" is a unique and timely story that sends readers on a roller coaster of emotions regarding being adopted, building relationships, family, friendship, pluses and pitfalls of online DNA searching and social media, parenthood, what makes a family, and much more. Written in an easy, friend-to-friend style, "Found" is an honest, insightful look into the authors' adoption and search experiences. The book also includes several additional short stories of others that searched for lost family after hearing of the authors searches, and their own insight into their own experiences with reunion.

Reviews

“An intriguing account of a search for biological kin…These stories make for a dramatic reading experience…Craig-Evans and Diggins engagingly reflect on many adoption-related issues, such as what creates a sense of connection, or why people choose to accept or reject a biological bond… on the whole, their book effectively shows the rewards and risks of the process.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Honest and authentic.”– Sherrie Eldridge, author of  “Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew”

ONLINE REVIEWS:

Entertaining and Insightful Read

I know people who are adopted, but this book gave me insight beyond anything I had ever considered. The authors are candid, and the additional stories of people who also found their relatives after their search added even more angles I hadn’t considered. If you have any connections to adoption, this is a must-read. If you like a good biography, this one should be on your must-read list.

If you’re using those DNA sites to search for family online, read this book!

I knew the online ancestry places could help you find family, but I had no idea how much information was truly available. If you’re looking at doing any online searching for finding family for any reason, read this book first.

Engaging and Thought-Provoking

I’m always interested in what makes people tick. This book is a great study in nature vs. nurture from two insightful people trying to figure it out. It’s an easy and engaging read, but seriously thought provoking on many, many levels.

Friendship and Family

These women know the meaning of friendship. I was inspired by their support of each other throughout the entire story of searching for and finding their birth families. And after, too. I don’t know if many people search with a friend like this, but maybe they should!