A collection of adoption-themed fictional short  stories brought together in one anthology from a diverse range  of celebrated Young Adult authors. 

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PRAISE FOR WELCOME HOME

School Library Journal: “Authors across a variety of genres share  stories that range from the fantastical to gritty, but all will touch  readers’ hearts (and cause a few to shed some tears).”  


“Twenty-nine short stories, by an equal number of YA authors,  brave the volatile emotions surrounding those who are chosen to be  adopted and those who still hunger for a home and family to call their  own. A girl bound for college agonizes over telling her mother, who is  in prison, that her high school coach has offered to adopt her; a  deeply-disturbed birth mother attempts kidnapping and murder to regain  her daughter; a boy builds a fantasy kingdom to shut himself off from  the real world; and a sixteen-year-old girl cannot understand why anyone  could ever love her."  ~VOYA


"It is amazing that each of these stories examines adoption from a  different perspective; none of them are the same in any way. Fantasy,  science fiction, and realistic fiction keep the reader guessing as to  what will come next. The protagonists are teens, not children, and they  exemplify the yearning to be loved and to be part of a family unit at  any age. Most suffer from low self-esteem, wondering what made their  birth mothers relinquish them in the first place. Most striking of all  is the thread of hope that runs through this book. Authors such as Adi  Alsaid, Julie Eshbaugh, or Shannon Gibney offer the characters the  possibility of belonging. This volume earns a place in every YA library  and it is up to YA librarians to put it into the hands of teens who need  it most." ~Nancy K. Wallace.  


“Welcome Home is a beautiful collection of stories  about adoption, family, and love that will leave readers keenly aware of  their own families. The characters are relatable and loveable. This  book highlights the various ways that young people can find their  forever homes. This book will touch the hearts of many readers. Welcome  Home covers issues about the adoption process about which most people  are not aware. ~Helena Kalantzis, VOYA Teen Reviewer: .  


"This collection of short stories has  something to appeal to almost any young adult reader dealing with issues  surrounding adoption or foster care. They are not limited to happy  endings, nor are they limited to real life stories, as there is a bit of  fantasy and science fiction included among the selections. For example,  fifteen-year old Carlos, who lives in Mexico City, has adoptive parents  who are stuck in 1985—living the year over and over again while  watching their son get older. Another teen comes face to face with the  daughter she is giving up for adoption—sixteen years into the future.  There are kids who are desperate to find their birth parents, some who  aren’t sure, and some who will never know them. There are those anxious  to adopt and mothers giving up their children. There are straight teens,  gay teens, teens adopted across race/culture, and supernatural teens,  and even a few supernatural “parents.” These tales offer heartbreak,  reunion, love, and loss. Many of the young adult authors of these  twenty-nine stories have some personal experience with adoption and/or  foster care, which is particularly validating. This is a valuable  addition to any school or public library collection." Reviewer: Paula  McMillen, Ph.D.; Ages 13 up. ~Children’s Literature Review:

 The author roster includes  Edgar-award winner Mindy McGinnis, New York Times best-selling authors  C.J. Redwine (The Shadow Queen) and William Ritter (Jackaby), and  acclaimed YA authors across all genres. The full list of contributors  includes: Adi Alsaid, Karen Akins, Erica M. Chapman, Caela Carter, Libby  Cudmore, Dave Connis, Julie Eshbaugh, Helene Dunbar, Lauren Gibaldi,  Shannon Gibney, Jenny Kaczorowski, Julie Leung, Sangu Mandanna, Matthew  Quinn Martin, Mindy McGinnis, Lauren Morrill, Tameka Mullins, Sammy  Nickalls, Shannon M. Parker, C.J. Redwine, Randy Ribay, William Ritter,  Stephanie Scott, Natasha Sinel, Eric Smith, Courtney C. Stevens, Nic  Stone, Kate Watson, and Tristina Wright.