I loved this fascinating book (as evidenced by the fact that I only downloaded it two days ago)! It is a beautifully written story that drew me in from the first page and didn't let go. As a Canadian, I am so surprised that this subject isn't even touched on in our Canadian history classes in school. I had no idea about the Home Children that were sent to Canada and the deplorable conditions that the majority endured. This story broke my heart so many times, but I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to read about the plight of these children! Thank you so much to Genevieve Graham for bringing this topic into the spotlight and to Simon and Schuster Canada for allowing me to read an advance reader copy!

Genevieve Graham writes important and absorbing historical novels, based on well researched Canadian past events. I have been informed and entertained by factual events described in her four previous books. During my 12 years of school in Nova Scotia, history lessons involved early world explorers, British history emphasizing past kings and queens, and much Ancient Greek and Roman history. Canadian history was barely mentioned, and we mistakingly thought it dull.

Graham’s past books were based on Canadas’ roles in WW1 and WW11, the Halifax Explosion, the Expulsion of the Acadians, and the Klondike Gold Rush. I had known of these major stories in our history, but not from any history class in school. I hope present-day students are exposed to these events in school. If so, Graham’s thoroughly researched stories would be ideal supplementary novels. Through realistic, believable characters and their connections with the above historical occurrences, Canadian history comes to life on the pages.

I have never heard of the British Home Children, which is the story featured in this book, but now will never forget this shameful part of Our history. The author through meticulous research, informs us that approximately 120,000 destitute British children were shipped to Canada between 1869 and 1948. They were between the ages of 3 to 18. They were lead to believe this was an opportunity for a better life. Many were identified as orphans, but in fact, only 2% were actually without parents and had been temporarily left in group homes due to poverty. Other children were surviving on the streets.

There were no checks on what was happening to them in Canada and the majority became indentured servants or farm workers. There were cases of sexual abuse, suicide and boys beaten to death. Some were adopted and their lives improved as a result. It is estimated that 75% of the British Home Children suffered abuse and neglect. As adults, they suffered from the trauma, and many kept what they considered their shameful past lives a secret.

The story about the suffering of many of the Home Children is all based on actual abuse and hardships discovered by the author. I was shattered about the ghastly true story written about a 14-year-old Home Boy. In 1905 he was placed with a wealthy farmer. He slept in the barn, and after 7 months his body was found buried in a manure pile. He had frozen to death, and there was evidence of a fractured skull, and his body full of pitchfork holes. This resonated with me, as we share the same family name.

In this story, 97-year-old Winnifred has managed to keep her shameful past secret from her family. Her great-grandson, working on a family tree persuades her to reveal the truth. He draws out her story about living on the streets of Liverpool with a friend, Mary, Mary’s brother, and two other brothers. They survived by snatching purses and stealing food. When the gang is caught by police, the girls and boys are sent to homes for orphans and children from the slums. Girls and boys are placed in separate homes to learn skills to prepare them for future employment. Next, they are being shipped to Canada and told they will have a better life there.

Once arriving in Canada, Winnie and Mary are distraught as they are sent to different homes to work. The three boys are placed on a farm to do hard labour. We get the collective story of the unhappy plight of all 5. There is inadequate and unpalatable food, sleeping in sheds or barns in the cold, lack of adequate boots and clothing, beatings, rape, death, and endless hours of work. They always promised that they would eventually find each other. Winnie recounts the story of what happened as they reached adulthood. Like many in real life, they suffered trauma, with feelings of inadequacy and shame.
About 4 million Canadians are believed to be descendants of the British Home Children.

Highly recommended. Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this remarkable historical novel.