This book was gifted by BookTrib. @JanetSherlundOfficial and @booktrib
Abandoned at Birth: Searching for the Arms That Once Held Me is a poignant and life-changing memoir by Janet Sherlund that offers readers a deeply emotional journey through the search for love, identity, and acceptance. This powerful book isn’t just a personal story—it’s a universal exploration of what it means to be adopted, to feel unrooted, and to long for connection in a world that doesn’t always offer it.
Janet Sherlund takes us on her quest to understand who she is after being abandoned at birth. Her story is an exploration of what adoption means not just in terms of legalities, but on a deeply emotional and psychological level. She reflects on the trauma that adoption can bring—trauma that doesn’t just fade away as time passes. Adoption is a lifelong process, one that shapes an individual in profound ways. And for Sherlund, that search for identity becomes a pivotal part of her journey.
What makes Sherlund’s memoir so impactful is its raw honesty about the pain of abandonment and the confusion that can come with growing up without knowing where you came from. It’s not just about searching for biological parents; it’s about understanding yourself, your worth, and finding your place in the world when so much of your past remains a mystery.
Did you know that in the United States, birth records are sealed in 40 states? This means that, for many adoptees, the path to understanding their origins is filled with bureaucratic hurdles and closed doors. Sherlund’s story highlights this painful reality, as well as the larger legislative efforts that are beginning to shed light on these issues, like the Equal Citizenship for Children Act, which could provide adoptees with more access to their birth records.
The memoir also touches on the emotional weight of adoption. It’s a trauma that isn’t often talked about, but it’s one that impacts adoptees deeply. As Sherlund writes, adoption is not something you simply “get over.” It affects your life in ways you may not even realize, from intimacy and trust issues to a constant sense of grief and loss. Some experts even believe that the emotional scars of adoption can lead to C-PTSD or cumulative trauma—a theory I believe after witnessing firsthand the struggles of loved ones who are adoptees.
With 5 million Americans being adopted, that’s one in every 25 families. The increasing prevalence of open adoptions offers some hope, but for those who were adopted in times when records were sealed and secrets were kept, it’s still an ongoing struggle to reclaim a sense of self. This book is an important and timely reminder of why adoption reform and the emotional needs of adoptees must be taken seriously.
If you are looking for a book that helps you understand what an adoptee or someone you love might be going through, this is it. Janet Sherlund’s memoir is beautifully written and full of insight into the emotional complexities of adoption. It doesn’t just tell a story—it offers a guide to navigating the difficult waters of grief, identity, and healing. Sherlund’s search for family, love, and her own place in the world will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or disconnected from their roots.
Janet Sherlund’s memoir is more than a personal journey—it’s an essential story that’s relevant now and will continue to be for generations to come. If you’re looking for an honest, heartfelt, and thought-provoking read, I highly recommend Abandoned at Birth. Whether you’re an adoptee or someone who loves one, this book will help you understand the complexity of identity and the deep emotional work involved in building bridges between the past and present.
And if you’re in search of a meaningful gift this holiday season, Abandoned at Birth would make a wonderful stocking stuffer or thoughtful present. It’s a book worth reading—and worth sharing.
This sounds like an emotional and book to learn about adoption. It must be hard for the child but also for the birth parent.