This compelling book presents the stories of diverse mothers whose life circumstances place them outside the mainstream. Chapters explore the lives of mothers of exceptional children and biracial children; mothers who seek closeness and connection with their adolescent children; mothers with HIV/AIDS; immigrant, homeless, single, lesbian, adoptive, and teen mothers; African American mothers living in poverty; and mothers in prison. Their vivid, heartfelt accounts demonstrate the unique strengths of women struggling to overcome personal and societal barriers and take us beyond labeling entire groups of mothers as normal or deviant, "good" or "bad."