Ward of the State - by Karlos Dillard

About the Book

Abort the Adoption is a raw and groundbreaking continuation of Karlos Dillard's journey, picking up where Ward of the State: A Memoir of Foster Care left off. After finding a rare sense of safety and belonging, Karlos' life takes a dramatic turn as he enters an adoptive home filled with abuse and racial violence. As an openly gay Black boy, Karlos faced the compounded challenges of being a Black, LGBTQIA+ youth in an environment that offered no understanding or support. In school, he endured relentless bullying and racism, deepening the isolation and identity struggles that many LGBTQIA+ foster youth and transracial adoptees face.

Book Synopsis

Abort the Adoption is a raw and groundbreaking continuation of Karlos Dillard's journey, picking up where Ward of the State: A Memoir of Foster Care left off. After finding a rare sense of safety and belonging, Karlos' life takes a dramatic turn as he enters an adoptive home filled with abuse and racial violence. As an openly gay Black boy, Karlos faced the compounded challenges of being a Black, LGBTQIA+ youth in an environment that offered no understanding or support. In school, he endured relentless bullying and racism, deepening the isolation and identity struggles that many LGBTQIA+ foster youth and transracial adoptees face.

This memoir goes beyond traditional storytelling by creating an immersive, interactive experience that allows readers to step into the emotional depth of each chapter. Abort the Adoption unveils the harsh realities within a system that imposes lifelong agreements on children without their choice or informed consent. Through traumatic experiences with practices like Rebirthing Therapy and the Troubled Teen Institutions, Karlos sheds light on the dangers of interventions that prioritize control over child-centered care. This book offers a raw, interactive look at the adoption industry's failures and the urgent need for compassion, reform, and support for adoptees, especially those from marginalized communities. Karlos' story is a call to action, urging society to elevate the voices of adoptees in the pursuit of a more understanding and supportive system.

Some of the names in this book have been changed in order to maintain the dignity and privacy of others.

This book depicts language that was developed from an adolescent's viewpoint, the tone and vocabulary reflect that.

This book is based on Karlos' ages 8 to 15

Review Quotes

"My brother was always a shining light. The devil couldn't take that away from him no matter how hard she tried. You will always be my family. I am beyond proud of you, and I love you.
- Christopher Gum
Agriculture Technician/ Naval Reserve Information Specialist Second Class

"Little boys deserve a happy and loving childhood, Karlos was robbed of his. His story will captivate generations of not only foster and adoptive parents, but adoptees and foster youth alike."
- Kirsta Bowman
Music Teacher / Adoptee

"A story of resilience, family, and the never-ending struggle for self-acceptance."
- Charity Ben
Freelance Editor / OptometricTechnician

"This captivating story picks up where the author's first memoir left off and spans several years of highs and lows with his adoptive parents. The author thoughtfully tackles matters relating to racism, religion, and the foster care/adoption systems in the United States." - - Carrie McCleese
Professor

"As an adoptive parent this is a book that will stick with me forever. This should be a must read for anyone considering alternative parenting options such as foster care and adoption.
-Chyenne Gunn, EdD

About the Author

Karlos Dillard is a published author and Advocate with a passion for fostering understanding around adoption and foster care issues. As a transracial adoptee, Karlos has conducted training for foster families and adoption agencies, covering critical topics like transracial adoption, adoption trauma, and financial literacy for foster youth. As a respected speaker, Karlos has been interviewed by CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and other major networks, sharing his perspective on adoption and foster care. His engagements span colleges, adoption agencies, and conferences, including his role as the 2025 Plenary Speaker for the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). Through his story of growing up as a transracial adoptee, Karlos sparks powerful conversations on race in America, bridging understanding and encouraging audiences to confront issues of systemic racism, privilege, and empathy.