Operation Identity Newsletter

OPERATION IDENTITY

EXCERPTS FROM THE O.I. NEWSLETTER

The Operation Identity Newsletter is published periodically throughout the year and is a tangible benefit of membership. In addition to information about upcoming meetings and “Organization News” (which includes news about both O.I. and other groups), book and movie reviews, and articles of general interest are also included. Below are links to reprints of many such original articles from past issues of the Operation Identity Newsletter. (Membership in O.I. also provides access to facsimile [.pdf] copies of past newsletters.)

2023

2024
Book Reviews Perpetual Child: Dismantling the Stereotype by Diane René Christian and Amanda H.L. Transue-Woolston, eds. Reviewed in the February issue	Articles “Baby Boxes” Remain a Controversial, if Little-Used Means of Surrendering a Child for Adoption Published in the February issue

2023
Book Reviews Moloka’i -and- Daughter of Moloka’i by Alan Brennert Reviewed in the February issue The Paris Orphan by Natasha Lester Reviewed in the June issue You Should Be Grateful by Angela Tucker Reviewed in the June issue The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See Reviewed in the November issue	Book Reviews Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity and Love by Dani Shapiro Reviewed in the November issue Movie Reviews The Sugarland Express A Film by Steven Spielberg Reviewed in the June issue Articles Why Do We Still Need Support Groups? Published in the February issue The Right to Our Information: A Human Right Published in the November issue

2022
Book Reviews Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed by Philip Hallie Reviewed in the March issue The Other Mother by Carol Schaefer Reviewed in the July issue Waiting to Forget by Margaret Moorman Reviewed in the July issue	Articles What Can DNA Tests Tell You About Who You Are? by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the March issue Silence, Secrecy and Shame Still Lead to Trauma by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the November issue

2021
Book Reviews Her Name Is Rose by Christine Breen Reviewed in the February issue Yes, Chef: A Memoir by Marcus Sameuelsson Reviewed in the February issue The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food by Marcus Samuelsson with Osayi Endolyn Reviewed in the February issue The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer Reviewed in the November issue	Articles Mistaking Intensity for Intimacy in Reunions by Barbara Free, M.A., LPCC, LADAC Published in the February issue Victorian Baby Farms: Ancestors of Foster Care and Adoption by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the June issue Thomas Jefferson: Birth Father of Our Country? by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the June issue Do Some Relationships Have Expiration Dates? by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the November issue

2020
Book Reviews Winter Sisters by Robin Oliveira Reviewed in the February issue The Secret Orphan by Glynis Peters Reviewed in the February issue The Girl They Left Behind by Roxane Veletzos Reviewed in the February issue When Summer’s in the Meadow -and- The Luck of the Irish by Niall Williams and Christine Breen Reviewed in the June issue	Book Reviews The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver Reviewed in the November issue Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA by Richard Hill Reviewed in the November issue Articles Discussing Adoption with Children by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the June issue What Constitutes a Family? by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the November issue

2019
Book Reviews All You Can Ever Know: A Memoir by Nicole Chung Reviewed in the February issue Articles Still Searching, After Reunion by Marilyn Roy Published in the February issue Is There a New Need For Support Groups? by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the February issue	Articles 2019 AAC Conference: A Report by Amy Winn AAC President and SW Regional Director Published in the June issue Adoption Rights Pioneer Well Known To O.I. by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the November issue Travel Can Result in Unexpected Connections by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the November issue

2018
Articles Can Genetic Testing Benefit You? by Barbara Free, M.A., LPCC Published in the February issue Custody Cases Have Life-Long Consequences by Marilyn Roy Published in the June issue On the Trail of Family by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the June issue Leonie Boehmer: A Remembrance by William Gage Published in the November issue Visiting My Daughter by Jenna Wiley Published in the November issue A Reunion Journey by Lee Morgan Published in the November issue	Articles Families: Connections and Reunions by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the November issue 39th Annual AAC Conference This Year’s Conference was hosted by O.I. in Late April. Reports of members were published in the June issue. O.I. Members Attended AAC Conference by Barbara Free, M.A. Notes on the 2018 AAC Conference in Albuquerque by Cathy Haight Miracles Do Happen by Lee Morgan One of the Best Conferences I’ve Attended by Barbara Free AAC Conference Report by Amy Winn

2017
Book Reviews A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley Reviewed in the October issue Awakening Your Feminine Spirit by Stacie Ivey Reviewed in the October issue Reasonable People: A Memoir of Autism and Adoption by Ralph James Savarese Reviewed in the October issue	Articles Missing Connections, Staying Connected by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the April issue Boundaries and Legal Issues in Adoption by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the July issue What Would Solomon Do? by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the July issue

2016
Book Reviews Orphan Number 8 by Kim van Alkemade Reviewed in the January issue The Last Midwife by Sandra Dallas Reviewed in the January issue The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg Reviewed in the November issue Articles 20/20 Exposes “Rehoming” of Adopted Children Published in the January issue Kansas City Woman Finds Birth Family & Irish Connections by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the January issue	Articles Finding Roots They Didn’t Know They Had by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the April issue The People Who Didn’t Give Up by Sherrie Buscemi Published in the April issue Einstein Was a Birth Father by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the April issue Being a Birth Parent (Or an Adoptee) Is Not a Crime by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the August issue Obituary Carol F. Gustavson Published in the January issue

2015
Book Reviews Color Blind: A Memoir by Precious Williams Reviewed in the April issue Reunion: A Year in Letters Between a Birthmother and the Daughter She Couldn’t Keep by Katie Hern and Ellen McGarry Carlson Reviewed in the July issue My Armenian Genesis: The Last Survivor by Mary L. Movsisian Foess Reviewed in the October issue Television Reviews Call the Midwife Christmas Special Focuses on Relinquishment and Adoption Reviewed in the January issue	Articles Support Groups Cannot Meet All Needs by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the January issue Is Adoption Still About Trauma by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the January issue Do Children Have a Right to Privacy by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the July issue Embryo Adoptions: More Questions Than Answers by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the October issue

2014
Book Reviews Philomena by Martin Sixsmith Reviewed in the April issue Half Way Home! by Lynn-Claire Davis Reviewed in the October issue Movie Reviews Admission A Film by Paul Weitz Reviewed in the January issue Closure: A Documentary About Adoption A Film by Bryan Tucker Reviewed in the July issue Articles Film Portrays Birth Mother’s Life by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the January issue	Articles Some Criticize Philomena for Being Anti-Catholic Published in the April issue Making Connections by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the April issue Research Reveals Children Died at Irish “Home” Published in the July issue Our Work Here Is Not Done by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the July issue Feelings Are in the Present Tense by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the October issue Animals and Adoption Published in the October issue

2013
Book Reviews Melissa’s Gift by Olin Dodson Reviewed in the January issue Sudden Fury: A True Story of Adoption and Murder by Leslie Walker Reviewed in the April issue Call the Midwife (Volumes 1-3) by Jennifer Worth Reviewed in the July issue Chosen by Chandra Hoffman Reviewed in the October issue Movie Review Jackie A Film by Antoinette Beumer Reviewed in the July issue	Articles Holiday Wishes by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the January issue In Memoriam: Reuben Pannor Published in the April issue Abuse Always Has Negative Consequences by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the April issue Birth Fathers: Is the Stereotype Wrong? by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the July issue No Adoption System is Perfect by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the October issue Letting Go, Moving On, Going Back by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the October issue

2012
Book Reviews Imagining Adoption: Essays on Literature and Culture by Marianne Novy Reviewed in the January issue Coming Together: An Adoptee’s Story by Martha Shideler Reviewed in the April issue Finding Fernanda: Two Mothers, One Child, and a Cross-Border Search for Truth by Erin Siegal Reviewed in the October issue Off Balance: A Memoir by Dominique Monceanu, with Paul and Teri Williams Reviewed in the October issue	Articles Holidays and Adoption: Complicated for All by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the January issue Steve Jobs: Let Us Not Judge Him by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the April issue Adoption: Attitudes and Vocabulary by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the July issue

2011
Book Reviews Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other: In Praise of Adoption by Scott Simon Reviewed in the January issue The Adoption Triad Asks: Who am I really? by Alice B. Davenport, M.S., CFLE Reviewed in the July issue Running Scared A Novel by Lisa Jackson Reviewed in the October issue Movie Review Mother and Child A Film by Rodrigo Garcia Reviewed in the October issue	Articles Life is Short—Search Now! by Barbara Free Published in the January issue Why We Still Need Support Groups & Searchers by Barbara Free Published in the April issue Sally File: A Remembrance by Linda Davis Published in the April issue Where Do I Belong?: A Story of Adoption by Carolyn Seibold Simmons Published in the July issue Sugar and Diamonds by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the October issue

2010
Organization News Representatives of Operation Identity Provide Reports from 2010 AAC Conference in Sacramento by Jenni Dymon & Bill Gage Published in the July & October issues Book Reviews The People They Brought Me: Poems in the Adoption Community by Penny Callan Partridge Reviewed in the January issue Two Books and a Documentary by Jean Strauss Now Available in O.I. Lending Library by Barbara Free, M.A. Published in the April issue Mother Me by Zara H. Phillips Reviewed in the July issue My Armenian Genesis: The Last Survivor by Mary L. Movsisian Foess Published in the October issue Poems New Mexico December by Barbara Free Published in the January issue	Articles New Study Looks at Adoptees and Culture Published in the January issue New CA Law May Affect Adoptions of Some Native-American Children Published in the January issue New TV Show Highlights Adoption Search-and-Reunion Stories by Kathie Forward Published in the January issue Are We Still Motivated to Search? by Barbara Free Published in the January issue Adoption Is Still About Poverty by Barbara Free Published in the April issue Adoption, Reunion and Beyond by Barbara Free Published in the October issue

2009
Book Reviews Synchronicity & Reunion: The Genetic Connection of Adoptees & Birth Parents by LaVonne Harper Stiffler Reviewed in the January issue Adoption: The Facts, Feelings, and Issues of a Double Heritage by Jeanne DuPrau Reviewed in the April issue Another Place at the Table and One Small Boat: The Story of a Little Girl, Lost Then Found by Kathy Harrison Reviewed in the July issue Diagnosis, Assessment & Treatment of Foster and Adopted Children: A Guide for Parents & Practitioners by Christopher J. Alexander, Ph.D. Reviewed in the October issue Legendary, Beautiful, and Reflection Pond Three Books by Jaiya John Reviewed in the October issue	Movie Commentary August Rush: What Are The Messages? by Barbara Free Published in the January issue Articles Nebraska Safe Haven Act Misses The Point Published in the January issue DNA Testing and Adoption Search: Separate Issues? by Barbara Free Published in the April issue Tragedy, Triumph, or Tapestry? by Barbara Free, M.A., LADAC Published in two parts in the July and October issues

2008
Book Reviews A Limb of Your Tree: The Story of an Adopted Twin’s Search for Her Roots by Doris D. Smith, Ph.D. Reviewed in the October issue Vietnamerica: The War Comes Home by Thomas Bass Reviewed in the July issue Family Wanted: True Stories of Adoption Edited by Sara Holloway Reviewed in the April issue Whose Child?: An Adoptee’s Healing Journey From Relinquishment Through Reunion ... and Beyond by Kasey Hamner Reviewed in the January issue	Articles Family Trees: Where Do Adoptees Fit? by Barbara Free Published in the October issue What Does “Traditional” Mean? How Stereotypes Harm Us All by Barbara Free Published in two parts in the April and July issues Holidays May Be Tricky for Triad Members by Barbara Free Published in the January issue

2007
Book Reviews The Mistress’s Daughter: A Memoir by A.M. Homes Reviewed in the October issue The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade by Ann Fessler Reviewed in the July issue I Choose This Day: Mournings and Miracles of Adoption by Sharon Fieker Reviewed in the April issue I Choose You by Deborah Ripoll Greulich Reviewed in the April issue	Book Reviews The Kid (What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Get Pregnant): An Adoption Story by Dan Savage Reviewed in the January issue Articles Does Society Reinforce Adoptees’ Feelings of Abandonment? by Barbara Free Published in the October issue Ask Me No Secrets, I’ll Tell You No Lies: How Privacy Protects; How Secrecy Harms by Barbara Free Published in two parts in the April and July issues Making Sense of Our Information by Barbara Free Published in the January issue

2006
Book Reviews Not Remembered Never Forgotten by Robert Allen Hafetz Reviewed in the October issue Coffee Rings: Three Women, One Tragic Event, Nineteen Years Later, Secrets Surface... by Yvonne Lehman Reviewed in the July issue A Wedding to Die For (A Yellow Rose Mystery) by Leann Sweeney Reviewed in the April issue Pick Your Poison (A Yellow Rose Mystery) by Leann Sweeney Reviewed in the April issue	Articles Help Along the Way by Mark Dickerson Published in the October issue Access Legislation Pits Facts Against Mythology by Mary Martin Mason Published in the October issue What’s a Father by Barbara Free Published in the October issue Facing Our Fears in Search and Reunion by Barbara Free Published in the July issue Boundaries: The Key to Reunion Relationships by Barbara Free Published in two parts in the January and April issues

2005
Book Reviews The Post-Adoption Blues: Overcoming the Unforeseen Challenges of Adoption by Karen J. Foli, Ph.D. and John R. Thompson, M.D. Reviewed in the October issue Tree Castle Island by Jean Craighead George Reviewed in the July issue Searching For a Past: The Adopted Adult’s Unique Process of Finding Identity by Jayne Schooler Reviewed in the April issue Welcome Home! An International and Nontraditional Adoption Reader Edited by Lita Linzer Schwartz, Ph.D. and Florence W. Kaslow, Ph.D. Reviewed in the January issue	Articles Dealing With Delayed Information by Lee Morgan Published in the October issue Foster Care: Another Facet of Adoption and Reunion by Barbara Free Published in the October issue Birth Parents in One-Down Position by Barbara Free Published in the July issue Nobody Really Forgets by Barbara Free Published in the January issue

IN MEMORIAM: NANCY PARKHILL

The April 2005 issue of the Operation Identity Newsletter was dedicated to the memory of Nancy Parkhill, M.A., LPCC, a therapist, adoptee, author, and O.I. member, who died of lymphoma on February 4, 2005, after a brief illness.

Honoring Nancy Parkhill by Stacy Ertle

Nancy Parkhill: Adoptees’ Fairy Godmother by Ann Massmann

Nancy’s Request: Be a Voice by Barbara Free

2004 In 2004, Operation Identity marked its 25th anniversary as an active search support group in New Mexico. Various articles published during this year reflect back on the past and look forward to the future....
Book Reviews Welcome Home: A Guide for Adoptive, Foster and Treatment Foster Parents by Christopher J. Alexander, Ph.D. Reviewed in the October issue Go Out and Live: A 27-Year Journey of Courage by Doris and Ken Hall Reviewed in the July issue Healing the Adoption Experience: A Book for Adult Adoptees, Their Families, and Therapists by Nancy Parkhill Reviewed in the April issue Finding Me in a Paper Bag: Searching for Both Sides Now by Sally Howard Reviewed in the April issue Mommy Far, Mommy Near: An Adoption Story by Carol Antoinette Peacock Reviewed in the January issue	Articles A Brief History of Operation Identity by Barbara Free Published in the October issue After 25 Years, Do We Still Need O.I.? Published in the October issue Operation Identity Celebrates 25 Years Since Its Founding Published in the July issue Operation Identity: 25 Years of Support by Mary Hanson Published in the July issue O.I. Member Shares Her Story at Retreat Published in the January issue Holidays, Family and Adoption: Special Handling Needed by Barbara Free Published in the January issue

2003
Book Reviews Once Removed: Voices From Inside the Adoption Triangle by Wendie Redmond and Sherry Sleightholm Reviewed in the July issue How to Adopt a Child: A Complete Guide for the Layman by Robert A. Farmer Reviewed in the July issue A Single Square Picture: A Korean Adoptee’s Search for Her Roots by Katy Robinson Reviewed in the April issue Movie Review Strange Relations (A Showtime Original Production) Reviewed in the July issue	Articles Operation Identity to Celebrate Silver Anniversary Next Year Published in the October issue Remembering O.I.’s First Meeting Published in the October issue Siblings: Forgotten Pieces of the Adoption Puzzle by Barbara Free Published in the July issue It’s All About Relationships by Barbara Free Published in the April issue Finding Family is Not About “Closure” by Barbara Free Published in the April issue

2002
Book Reviews Black Baby White Hands: A View From the Crib by Jaiya John Reviewed in the October issue Disturbing the Peace: A Novel by Nancy Newman Reviewed in the July issue Wuhu Diary: On Taking My Adopted Daughter Back to Her Hometown in China by Emily Prager Reviewed in the July issue I Hope You Have a Good Life: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Redemption by Campbell Armstrong Reviewed in the April issue	Book Reviews Sacred Connections: Stories of Adoption by Mary Ann Koenig and Niki Berg Reviewed in the January issue Articles China’s Birth Policies and Traditions Lead to Gender Imbalance by Barbara Free Published in the October issue Some Adoptees Lack Their Native Tongue by Barbara Free Published in the July issue The Importance of Being Met at the Gate by Barbara Free Published in the April issue

2001
Book Reviews Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming America by Adam Pertman Reviewed in the October issue Beneath a Tall Tree: A Story About Us by Jean Strauss Reviewed in the July issue Looking for Lost Bird: A Jewish Woman Discovers Her Navajo Roots by Yvette Melanson Reviewed in the April issue The Open Adoption Experience: A Complete Guide for Adoptiove and Birth Families—From Making the Decision Through the Child’s Growing Years by Lois Ruskai Melina and Sharon Kaplan Roszia Reviewed in the January issue	Book Reviews The Open Adoption Book: A Guide to Making Adoption Work for You by Bruce Rappaport Reviewed in the January issue Articles International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR) by Anthony S. Villardi Published in the October issue Silence Secrecy and Shame Lead to Trauma by Barbara Free Published in Four Parts in the April, July and October 2001, and January 2002 issues Abandoned Baby Legislation Controversy Continues by Barbara Free Published in the January issue

2000
Book Reviews Outer Search/Inner Journey by Peter F. Dodds Reviewed in the October issue A Man and His Mother: An Adopted Son’s Story by Tim Green Reviewed in the July issue Thank You, Son, For Finding Me: A Birthmother’s Story by Beth Kane Reviewed in the April issue The Gift Wrapped in Sorrow by Jane Guttman Reviewed in the April issue The Family of Adoption by Joyce Maguire Pavao Reviewed in the January issue	Articles Mistaking Intensity for Intimacy in Reunions by Barbara Free Published in the October issue Triad Rights Are Human Rights by Barbara Free Published in the July issue Guidelines for Triad Members in Search by Barbara Free Published in the April issue Coping With the Holidays in Reunited Families by Barbara Free Published in the January issue

1999
Book Reviews The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child by Nancy Verrier Reviewed in the October issue Soul Connection: Memoir of a Birthmother’s Healing Journey by Ann H. Hughes Reviewed in the July issue Wanted: First Child (A Birth Mother’s Story) by Rebecca Harsin Reviewed in the April issue May the Circle Be Unbroken: An Intimate Journey Into the Heart of Adoption by Lynn Franklin Reviewed in the January issue	Articles The Profound Effects of Shame Upon the Adoption Triad by Barbara Free Published in the October issue Internalizing Adoption by Barbara Free Published in the July issue Are Studies of Adoptees Valid? by Barbara Free Published in the April issue Reunions, Siblings, and Triangulation by Barbara Free Published in the January issue

1998
Book Reviews The Adoption Reader: Birth Mothers, Adoptive Mothers, and Adopted Daughters Tell Their Stories Edited by Susan Wadia-Ellis Reviewed in the October issue Out of the Shadows: Birthfathers’ Stories by Mary Martin Mason Reviewed in the July issue Adoption Reunions: A Book for Adoptees, Birth Parents and Adoptive Families by Michelle McColm Reviewed in the April issue	Articles A History of Adoption by Barbara Free Published in the October issue Ninth Annual March on Washington: A Participant’s Report by Ann Massmann Published in the July issue Sounding New Depths, Exploring New Channels: The 1998 AAC Conference (A Participant’s Report) by Lorraine Wheeler Published in the July issue Birth Fathers: Looking at the Stereotypes by Barbara Free Published in the July issue

1997
Book Reviews The Other Mother by Carol Schaefer Reviewed in the October issue	Articles Giving Up the Fantasy Child by Barbara (Operation Identity Member) Published in the April issue

1996
Book Reviews Searching For a Past by Jane Schooler Reviewed in the January issue	Articles Why Joining a Support Group Is Important by Elaine Pearce, a/k/a Christin Diane Mitchell Birth Mother and Adoptee Published in the October issue

1995
Book Reviews Adoption Reunions: A Book For Adoptees, Birth Parents and Adoptive Families by Michelle McColm Reviewed in the January issue

1994
Articles “There’s Nothing I Can Do” by Bill Kilgore Published in the October issue