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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What a great book! Such an emotional story and amazing to know that this really happened
Formulaic, would have much preferred reading a non-fiction account about the woman running the orphanage.
I felt horrible for the children in this story and was glad to see how strong they were.
Great fictional story based on history. I loved it. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you are done .
Good book from a favorite author! It tells of some of the early abuses of adoption and child welfare systems during the early 1900’s. Sadly, it is based on some true stories, though this one is fiction. It shows the strengths of family ties, even when the family is poor and it also shows the resiliency of the human spirit.
I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did. I thought the characters were incredible along with the history given about the orphanage in Tennessee. The writing draws you in and I couldn’t put the book down. I highly suggest it for anyone who likes historical fiction.
I loved this book,very interesting,true events
This is a very good book on a hard subject! I was shocked to read about the adoption agency in Memphis and all the wrong they did. However, the story continues with one family and the successes in their adoptions despite some sad events and losing some of the family. It stayed with me a long time!
Opened my eyes to the truth about homes for children and how some of the children came to these places and. How horrible they were. True and very sad story.
I liked that it was based on a true incident in history. Best book I’ve read in a long time!
A well written book. Unpredictable and interesting. A good book for book club discussion. The ending was unpredictable and well done.
This book deserved a moment of thanks at the end…loved the plot and the characters!
If I could give this book more stars, I would do that. It is outstanding and is now on my all time favorite book list. It is an emotional read and the story will remain on my mind for awhile.
historically correct and informative – tragic
A perfect blend of fact and fiction; very informative about some tragic history of which I’d never heard before.
It sad to think things like this actually happened. Great book, I couldn’t put it down.
Who could have thought such a travesty occurred, and those who think nothing of it.
Cone of th best books I’ve read.
One of the best I’ve read in a long time.
Although this book was painful to read at times, I think it’s an important read. The callous treatment of these families is something that our country should always remember and learn from.