In the United States, pregnancy out of wedlock used to carry a social stigma. Between 1945 and 1985 over four and one-half million unwed pregnant young girls/women, as an alternative to being homeless, lived in secrecy, some against their will, at "rescue homes" in exchange for releasing their babies for adoption. Letters to Stephanie the Ultimate Gift centers around the birth and adoption of baby Stephanie, the grief of the biological family that had to say good-bye to her and the joy of the adoptive family who received her.—Jo-Ann Wilhelm