In her latest book, Canadian author Genevieve Graham weaves historical facts from a darker part of Canadian/British history with a touching and engaging story that follows a small group of children who were some of the 100,000+ British children shipped to Canada between 1869 and 1948 with the expectation that they'd receive a better life. Sadly, a large majority of this vulnerable group suffered through vastly different experiences than the idyllic Canadian families/jobs they had been promised.
This is a part of Canadian history that I'm ashamed to say I was never taught in school, so I appreciate Graham's in-depth research to bring to light this shockingly obscure part of Canadian history. With historical accuracy and engaging characters, she brings readers into the issues and emotions of the time by putting a human face to the appalling cruelty, abuse and neglect that many, but not all, of these children experienced.
The story is told in two time frames by Winny, one of the British Home Children. The story vacillates between 1936 when Winny was 7 years-old and 2018 when 97-year-old Winny relays her experiences to her granddaughter and great-grandson. As the story unfolds, there are some serendipitous connections, sentimental dialogue and, at times, the various abuses heaped upon this small group of children felt overwhelming but, I always found Winny and her friends' stories compelling. And, as an Ontarian myself, I recognized many locales in my province, which only made this touching story hit even harder.
This is a poignant, thought-provoking and well-researched story that powerfully illustrates a forgotten part of Canadian history. The legacy of these Home Children endures in Canada since it's estimated that a staggering 4 million Canadians are their descendants. With that in mind, I hope that readers take the time to learn more about this part of our history and encourage our Ministry of Education to include this part of Canadian history in our curriculum.
This book should be added to your Spring 2020 To Be Read list and look for it March 3, 2020!
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Author: Genevieve Graham
Genre: Historical Fiction (Canada)
Type: Trade Paperback (384 pages)
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
First Published: March 3, 2020
First Published: March 3, 2020
Book Description from GoodReads: The Home for Unwanted Girls meets Orphan Train in this unforgettable novel about a young girl caught in a scheme to rid England’s streets of destitute children, and the lengths she will go to find her way home—based on the true story of the British Home Children.
2018
At ninety-seven years old, Winnifred Ellis knows she doesn’t have much time left, and it is almost a relief to realize that once she is gone, the truth about her shameful past will die with her. But when her great-grandson Jamie, the spitting image of her dear late husband, asks about his family tree, Winnifred can’t lie any longer, even if it means breaking a promise she made so long ago...
1936
Fifteen-year-old Winny has never known a real home. After running away from an abusive stepfather, she falls in with Mary, Jack, and their ragtag group of friends roaming the streets of Liverpool. When the children are caught stealing food, Winny and Mary are left in Dr. Barnardo’s Barkingside Home for Girls, a local home for orphans and forgotten children found in the city’s slums. At Barkingside, Winny learns she will soon join other boys and girls in a faraway place called Canada, where families and better lives await them.
But Winny’s hopes are dashed when she is separated from her friends and sent to live with a family that has no use for another daughter. Instead, they have paid for an indentured servant to work on their farm. Faced with this harsh new reality, Winny clings to the belief that she will someday find her friends again.
Inspired by true events, The Forgotten Home Child is a moving and heartbreaking novel about place, belonging, and family—the one we make for ourselves and its enduring power to draw us home.
2018
At ninety-seven years old, Winnifred Ellis knows she doesn’t have much time left, and it is almost a relief to realize that once she is gone, the truth about her shameful past will die with her. But when her great-grandson Jamie, the spitting image of her dear late husband, asks about his family tree, Winnifred can’t lie any longer, even if it means breaking a promise she made so long ago...
1936
Fifteen-year-old Winny has never known a real home. After running away from an abusive stepfather, she falls in with Mary, Jack, and their ragtag group of friends roaming the streets of Liverpool. When the children are caught stealing food, Winny and Mary are left in Dr. Barnardo’s Barkingside Home for Girls, a local home for orphans and forgotten children found in the city’s slums. At Barkingside, Winny learns she will soon join other boys and girls in a faraway place called Canada, where families and better lives await them.
But Winny’s hopes are dashed when she is separated from her friends and sent to live with a family that has no use for another daughter. Instead, they have paid for an indentured servant to work on their farm. Faced with this harsh new reality, Winny clings to the belief that she will someday find her friends again.
Inspired by true events, The Forgotten Home Child is a moving and heartbreaking novel about place, belonging, and family—the one we make for ourselves and its enduring power to draw us home.
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