All the Sweeter: Families Share Their Stories of Adopting from Foster Care

by Jean Minton

All the Sweeter tells the stories of families who have adopted one or more children from the US foster care system. Each of the twelve families interviewed has a dedicated chapter in which at least one representative tells their family’s adoption story. Woven through these stories are topical chapters that explore the common challenges these families face, including the complications that accompany transracial adoptions, helping children understand adoption, relationships with birth parents, and raising a traumatized child. Each year, over 50,000 children are adopted from the US Foster Care System.

Informative and diverse in scope, All the Sweeter provides a resource to families considering adoption, families in the process of adoption, and families who have already adopted children from foster care―with the ultimate goal of facilitating a better life for the children they bring into their lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adoption

336 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[Corey Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly an eye-opening read. From the highs to the lows and everything in between, Jean Minton provides insightful first=person narratives on what it's like to be a Foster Parent and what the process of adopting from foster care looks like in America. Filled with advice, I am coming away from this book even more prepared for foster parenting than I had hoped.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. I sat in a coffee shop on a rainy day and just devoured these beautiful stories of foster to adopt. I believe the meaning of life is to share stories and Jean Minton does that beautifully, while also weaving in meaningful research, practical information and advice for anyone considering adoption. But that's not to say you need to be this person to enjoy this book. I opened the book not because I am considering adoption, but because I admire those who do. I will admit that I was inspired enough by the book to consider it in the future, or to participate in one of many ways I learned about in the book. But also don't think this is a rainbows and butterflies type of adoption book. It is raw and honest, but ultimately shows triumph of the human spirit. I recommend this to anyone who loves the power of the honest individual story to remind you how beautiful life is.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Sweeter is an excellent book that does a deep dive into what it is like to raise children who were adopted through the foster care system. At first I thought the early chapters simplified the issue but then noticed as each chapter progressed the families struggled with increasingly tough issues. I felt at home. Adopting children with trauma histories, at least, means that parenting can be excruciatingly painful as you watch your child live out the suffering and pain they endured. Adopting children from foster care often means holding onto your child despite their behaviors that are meant to test you and learning a new style of parenting that is not described in most parenting books. This is why this book is such a gift. It tells it like it is but also gives hope to families no matter how they struggle. Thank you.

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Some moments heartwarming and others heartbreaking but always beautiful. Even if you are not thinking of fostering, I highly recommend this book.

[Kristen EJ Lauderdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look at foster-to-adopt parents and their children and experiences. More books like this, please.

[Haley Stocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blend of first person narratives from a combo of parents who adopted children from foster care and children who had been adopted by foster care and chapters bringing in information about foster care and the fost-adopt process. The book seemed very honest as people talked about what did and did not work for their families through the fost-adopt process as well as the many emotions and challenges that come up along the way.