A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A USA TODAY BESTSELLER A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER A NATIONAL INDIEBOUND BESTSELLER An unforgettable novel by Kristina McMorris, inspired by a stunning piece of history. 2 CHILDREN FOR SALEThe sign is a last resort. It sits on a farmhouse porch in 1931, but could be found anywhere in an era of breadlines, bank runs and broken dreams. It could have been written by … era of breadlines, bank runs and broken dreams. It could have been written by any mother facing impossible choices.
For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when it leads to his big break, the consequences are more devastating than he ever imagined.
For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when it leads to his big break, the consequences are more devastating than he ever imagined.
Inspired by an actual newspaper photograph that stunned the nation, Sold on a Monday is a powerful novel of love, redemption, and the unexpected paths that bring us home.
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This is my second book by McMorris and I’ll definitely be checking out the others! Sold on a Monday grabs you from the first glance at the cover all the way to the Author’s Notes at the end. An excellent tale of desperate times and righting wrongs, this will no doubt be a hit!
Kristina McMorris does what few writers can — transport me right into the middle of the story.
I read this amazing book in one long evening as I couldn’t put it down. It all starts with a picture of 2 young boys with a sign children for sale. It’s 1931 and times are very tough and families are struggling just to have food to eat. The story is told by 2 points of view, Ellis the reporter who took the picture and Lilly who is a single mom. This story shows the desperation of the great depression and the lengths the families had to go to survive. This book was very heartbreaking and I cried many times while reading it. On a personal level, I remember stories of this time period from my Grandfather. His oldest sister was given to an aunt because they just couldn’t afford to feed the family of 9 children. This book and it’s characters will stay with me for a very long time. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark. All opinions are my own.
Five Stars are not enough for this Golden book! Kristina McMorris is such a gifted writer that I dare say all her words are gold!
This story of Ruby and Calvin, grabbed my heart, squeezing it till it shattered and then with the spunk of Ruby and the gentle tuck from Calvin it was put back together!
In this story you have mobsters, Packards, grizzled newsman, night time sleuthing and women who find out how strong they truly are…what more can you want in a story?
Truly a five star Gold! A must read!
Well researched and poignant portrait of Depression-era desperation and the impact on families. I enjoyed the exploration of 1930s women in journalism and truth in journalism as well.
I finished this incredible book last night with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. It all started with a picture…Sold on a Monday Is a riveting tale of desperation; of the consequences of even the most seemingly innocent decisions and the ripple effects that follow; of loss and family and ultimately doing what’s right. The most wonderful characters live in the pages of this book; people who are shaped by circumstances and choices in their past, looking for a future which will bring them happiness, love, fulfillment, and redemption. The backdrop of the Depression adds so many layers to this story, and provides readers with an understanding of the how and why as the events in this story unfold. This wonderful book is written with warmth, heart, compassion, and deep emotions.
It’s been two years since I had a new Kristina McMorris book. I can tell you now, it was totally worth the wait. This Depression-era story of what happens when a struggling reporter snaps a photo of two children and a sign offering them for sale has been a two-tub tale for me. As in, I lingered so long while reading in the tub, unable to put down the book, that I had to drain out the cold water and refill with hot. Just a great story!
SOLD ON A MONDAY by Kristina McMorris is an engrossing story of love, family, ambition and honor. It is set in the early 1930s during the Depression when many people had to resort to desperate measures just to have food for their families to eat. A struggling young reporter happens upon a heartbreaking scene where two young boys sit in front of a sign that says “2 children for sale”. He snaps a photograph that ultimately gets submitted to his newspaper for publication. What follows is a gripping tale of how seemingly innocent, well-meaning decisions and actions can have far-reaching and life-changing consequences. The author’s vivid descriptions and outstanding character development drew me in and made me feel I was right there in the story. I could not turn the pages fast enough to get to the book’s dramatic conclusion. To know that this novel was inspired by an actual newspaper photo made it even more touching and heart-wrenching. I will not soon forget this powerful and emotional book and I highly recommend it.
I love Kristina’s writing and this is no exception. An important, haunting book.
In Sold on a Monday, Kristina McMorris has written a vivid and original story, set against the harsh landscape of the Great Depression. McMorris brilliantly chronicles the way in which a moment’s fateful choice can result in a lifetime of harrowing consequences. A masterpiece that poignantly echoes universal themes of loss and redemption,Sold on a Monday is both heartfelt and heartbreaking.
SOLD ON A MONDAY is a moving, spirited, gritty tale of desperation, ambition, and love. McMorris has again given her readers memorable characters, layers of plot and intrigue, and surprises around every corner. But above all–and most important–she delivers hard fought redemption.
Highly recommended.
It all started with a picture, a photograph taken by a young down on his luck reporter in 1931.
When printed in the paper, it draws a great deal of notoriety, leading to complications, difficulties, even anger.
The author creates a wonderful plot, creating a feeling of suspense as the action moves quickly.
As we read we are reminded of the importance of truth, whether reported in a newspaper or spoken to others.
A wonderful novel, that I was unable to put down and read in two days. Excellent!
This book by Kristina McMorris was inspired by an old photo taken during the depression. A sign in front of a decrepit old house standing above four children. The sign said 4 children for sale. The mother stood in the background, covering her face.
The author has taken a few liberties with this story. A young up and coming journalist desperately wants to make his mark. He sees a similar sign but when he comes back to take a picture and interview the people involved, they have moved on. So for the sake of a story he feels is important he stages the sign with two other children and their mother. The story does what he hoped it would – propel him into another level of journalism. But this deceit comes with a cost. What happens to the children as a result of this ‘fake’ story is an intriguing take on the culture of the Depression and the consequences of the lies both on the people involved and the journalist.
I enjoyed Sold on a Monday. The story was satisfying without being smarmy and pat. Well worth a read.
I get sucked into books like this that depict a reality in historical “fiction”. Things that we wish didn’t really happen are brought to light in this fantastic book, placing us in the uncomfortable reality of people put in horrific situations with very few choices.
Sold on a Monday is told from Ellis and Lily’s POVs, sucking the reader into a heartwrenching story of parents forced to put children up for sale during the Great Depression, hoping they will go to a home that can afford to feed and care for them.
The plot brings in more than the sale of children. It adds in the flavor of the early thirties: the mob, prohibition, single parenting, limits placed on women in the workforce and weaves it all in a story that doesn’t take the easy way out.
I loved this book and highly recommend it
With her signature style, Kristina McMorris once again plucks a devastating heartstring. Readers are transported through time and place to the desperate days of the American Great Depression. A real-life photograph stands as evidence to the heart of this novel: truth revealed, forgiveness found, and a story never to be forgotten.
Kristina has written a knockout in “Sold on a Monday” — a haunting and beautiful story about the choices we make, and their lingering effects.
Kristina McMorris Sold on a Monday has all the feels and I give it a very strong 5 stars. There is so much to love about this book. Happiness, heartbreak, friendship, love between siblings, love between parent and child. You will be rushing from page one to the end as you will not be able to put this one down. Remarkable characters that you will relate to and cheer for.
Sold On A Monday is a heartbreaking story of a reporter’s quest to get ahead and a mother’s love for her children. During the Great Depression, Ellis snaps a picture of a sad scene. Two small boys sitting in front of a ramshackle house with a sign, “Children for sale”. He turns the picture and an article into the newspaper and things go from bad to worse. What happened to those children? Sold On A Monday is based on a real picture taken during the Depression. This book had me flipping pages til the end!
Good and bad things seemed to happen on Mondays for Ellis Reed, but more bad.
The day Ellis was biding time until a scheduled meeting, happened to be the day his career changed, but it also was the day that would change his life and the life of the Dillard family.
Ellis’s story about a family who had their children for sale turned out to be something more than a story. It really happened, and when Ellis found out, he couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Meanwhile Lily worked at the paper as a secretary and had a part in this story even though she didn’t write the story. Lily had a secret about the story and her personal life that she hoped would never be revealed, but you know how things work with secrets.
Ellis wanted to be successful, but once he was, he still held back because he felt his success was based on the misfortunes of the family he had taken a photo of and had written a story about.
Ellis and Lily worked together once they found out what happened to the Dillard’s after the publication of the story and the sign that said: 2 Children for Sale.
They both felt responsible for the outcome, and it haunted both of them. Neither Lily or Ellis wanted to rest until they found out where the children were and what happened to their mother.
Set during the depression, you can feel the troubles and worries families had and the desperate measures some of them took.
SOLD ON A MONDAY has wonderful, lovable characters. Ms. McMorris marvelously portrayed characters you would want to know. You will be with them in their pain, their indecisions, their decisions, their love for each other, and their feelings.
Ms. McMorris knows how to tell a story and keep you interested. SOLD ON A MONDAY is a beautiful story about caring and compassion.
SOLD ON A MONDAY was absolutely wonderful and heartwarming as well as heartbreaking.
It is a book women’s fiction fans won’t want to miss. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher and NETGALLEY. All opinions are my own.
I really liked the premise and the characters.