Eleanor Russell has two teenage children with her ex husband. She is now married to Ron, and they are unable to have a child. When their California home is practically demolished by an earthquake, Eleanor realizes how fragile life is and talks Ron into adopting a baby. In alternating chapters, The Earthquake Child relates the histories of Eleanor, Kelly, the birth mother, and Joshua, the adoptee.

I was asked to read this book because my children are adopted, so I read The Earthquake Child with no expectations. I was very pleasantly surprised. I found the descriptions of the adoption process in the novel accurate, the characters were realistic and complex, and the issues raised in The Earthquake Child should result in interesting and thought provoking discussions.