THE BLOCKBUSTER HIT—Over two million copies sold! A New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller“Poignant, engrossing.”—People • “Lisa Wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nation’s history and weaves a tale of enduring power.”—Paula McLain Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their … Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.
Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.
Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.
Publishers Weekly’s #3 Longest-Running Bestseller of 2017 • Winner of the Southern Book Prize • If All Arkansas Read the Same Book Selection
“Sure to be one of the most compelling books you pick up this year. . . . Wingate is a master-storyteller, and you’ll find yourself pulled along as she reveals the wake of terror and heartache that is Georgia Tann’s legacy.”—Parade
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This was wonderful crafted book with powerful vivid images, great dialogue and jam packed with powerful emotion. I felt I was there right with the main characters.
Loved this book.
Loved this book. Well written and enlightening as to this time in history. Very moving.
Wonderful
It was an interesting read. Fiction, but based on historical findings….
Brilliant. Love the characters, the story, the heart. Everything about it.
I could not put this book down . Definitely recommend this book . It is inspirational and brought tears to my eyes .And I have shared this book with my friends who have the same opinion.
Most likely the best book and sadist story I have read in a very long time. I was unaware of such horrid happenings. I would have been a child when this was happening. What a horrible happening in our history.
Love this Book!
My friends suggested I read this and I am not disappointed. It was so real, I could literally feel the textures, smells, etc. Such a sad yet inspiring story. Family, that’s all we have.
I’m not finished yet but I love this book. Highly recommend reading
Loved this book! I didn’t want to put it down.
I loved this book. Written very well
Excellent book!
A fascinating look at a terrible period where children were kidnapped and sold to other parents for adoption.
Loved this book. Poignant and based on a true story!! Couldn’t put this down.
This book was such an eye-opener. Although situated at a very different time and in a place unfamiliar to me, I was still drawn in and felt very connected to the characters. The author has a magnificent ability to paint characters and locations in a way that I could see the story unfolding as though I was right there. I will be searching out more stories by Lisa Wingate!
It was based on actual events. It was eye opening.
Thought provoking. Well written.
I loved this book. It kept me interested all the way through. The family history was fascinating.