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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Great characters, trying to keep a family together. Keeps you wanting more.
Once in a while I come across a book that after I’m done reading it I can’t forget, it is one I will always remember, I didn’t want to put it down untill I finished, then I can’t stop dwelling on it. It was happy, scary, entreaguing , realistic . The writer pulled me into the story and made me feel that I was a part of it, loved this book
Very interesting, good read. Based on a true events that could never have been imagined.
Hard to put this book down. You just want to know what is going to happen and who is involved.
Eye opening. Showed how little children meant to early Americans. How bad homeless and orphan children were treated and abused.
I grew up in Memphis and remember the stories of children taken from their families. This is a lovely story, sad and sweet.
Wonderful historical fiction of a tragic event in history. Real life characters with genuine appeal and a story to tell.
A heart reaching story about a family of children forced into an orphanage. Well written about shameful history I knew nothing about.
Rill Foss is 12 years old when she and her 4 siblings are forcefully separated from their parents. Jump forward one generation where Avery Stratford seeks the truth about her family history. Should she share her findings with her family and risk hurting those she loves? This novel is based on a real life scandal during the depression.
This story is based on an adoptive agency in Memphis and Georgia Tann, the director who gave children from homes of poverty to wealthy families to adopt from the mid 1920’s to 1950.
The narrative is told in first person and the reader is quickly immeshed in the lives of the children separated from their family and placed new parents. Then the puzzle pieces of the family starts to connect drawing the reader attention even more.
Loved it. Fascinating, never knew about this part of American history.
The fictional characters were redeeming, the background true story was tragic but eye opening
Loved this book! Had a hard time putting it down. Never knew what was coming next.
Excellent read! The fact that so much of it was based on true events only made it more compelling.
I couldn’t put it down. It’s Lisa’s best book so far.
This story grabbed me from the beginning. It was hard to put down
This book though fiction is based on real people & practice.
Outstanding writing. Loved the story.
It is sad that what social issue that was raised in this story happened and so many children suffered.
Unusual subject that enlightens us to the horrible things that went on in the past by seemingly “good” organizations..