I found this double story of Marylee's own adoption and the giving up of her first son for adoption interesting and worthwhile reading. I was interested in how these experiences impacted Marylee's life, as well as that of her son. I have two nieces who adopted, and I have seen some of their struggles and joys firsthand. Ms. MacDonald is a good writer, who brings the story to life. Her own childhood with her adoptive parents was a difficult one. Too much responsibility for a fragile mother, with an erratic father, seemingly incapable of loving his family. Her own son seems to have had a better adoptive experience, although his family was also not a perfect fit for him. The title "Surrender" is a perfect metaphor for much of what happens in this book, as there are many kinds of surrender that happen, including the being surrendered for adoption and the surrendering of her own son.