First thing I love about this one? The genre. Historical fiction will always hold a special place in my reader’s heart. Always. This novel is based on factual history, but the plot and characters are make-believe. It’s the type of historical fiction that made me do some very light research because I had no idea this had happened (and it left me feeling bereft and heartbroken on behalf of the children who left their homes, and even more so for those who were mistreated in what should have been a better life.)

Two, I love this title because it showcases an important piece of Canadian history, is set in Canada (and the UK), with recognizable destinations and landscapes and was written by a Canadian author. Score for familiarity.

Three, I loved the voice of this writer so much. It was so easy to read, engaging and emotional. I read some early feedback from others that felt certain aspects were sugarcoated – there are some mature, graphic situations (not graphic in actual content, graphic in theme). The author chooses to gloss over them (i.e. rape was not called rape) but I took the liberty of assuming this had more to do with keeping with the era than the author choosing to belittle such horrible events. She paints a highly illustrative struggle of the children in their new situations and also casts a fair light on the flaws in what should have been an excellent program. On the flip side, there is a balance in acknowledging that not all the children ended up in abusive positions and their lives were better for it.

This novel addresses chasms between classes, the heartbreak of stigma, the darkness of an era not far behind us. It’s presented in the retelling by a nonagenerian who has kept her history a secret until a fateful occurence sparks some questions from her family.

Overall, I found The Forgotten Home Child to be one of my all-time favourite reads. It was emotionally moving and enlightening. I am in awe of the resilience of the characters and saddened by this aspect of our history. It hits shelves on March 3rd so make a preorder or on publication day pick up a copy for yourself and let me know if you agree or disagree with my take.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this title courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own

Thank you to Net Galley, Simon and Schuster and Genevieve Graham for this Advance Reader Copy. This story is basically Winnie's story, but also the story of thousands of children during the 30's and 40's. England was overrun with orphan children and homeless children they shipped them to Canada thru the BritishHome Children's program. They were told the would be cared for, given schooling and better lives. Unfortunately many were used as servants and abused. This book follows Winnie and her best friends. Told mainly by Winnie as she finally shares her past at age 97 upon a request of her great grandson who she says looks just like his great grandfather. This was a book I will not forget, it really makes you appreciate what you have and what's really important. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My mom is a proud Canadian, and as such, I have been exposed to Canadian history my entire life. I was not aware of this corner of Canadian history and either was my mom. In fact, only a small few of my Canadian relatives knew about this. My grandmother said that she knew, but it just wasn't talked about. This attitude of turning a blind eye and not talking about the shame that others put on you permeated throughout this novel. Genevieve Graham"s novel about England's orphaned street children who were sent to Canada as indentured servants was an eye-opening and heart-wrenching read. The hopeful, naive, innocent children, more often than not, were met with cruelty, neglect, distrust, and harsh working conditions. Although the tone of the book is sad, hope and love prevails. A great read!

Oh my goodness, all the stars on this one! Not only have I never heard of the British Home Children, but this is my first book by this author and she can write! The research she must have done to bring this story to fruition was quite thorough and she explains a little bit about her search at the end. While this story is fictional, many of the events in this story probably happened in one form or another to real British Home Children and Genvieve does an amazing job at bringing their stories to our awareness in these pages. I found myself hearing present-day Winny telling her story to her granddaughter and great-grandson and although present-day Jack is no longer alive, I could hear him telling his part of the tales. There was some going back and forth between past and present, but most of the story took place in the past and the transitions were seamless for me. I found myself tearing up even early in the story, but was definitely sobbing by the end. An amazingly powerful book and one that I hope becomes more widely read.

Special thanks to #GenevieveGraham, #NetGalley, and #SimonandSchusterCanada for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham is a riveting fictional tale that shines light on the British Home Children who arrived in Canada. Grab a box of tissues, a glass of wine and your readers' group as Graham delivers an unforgettable tale.

A unforgettable tale with characters and stories that will stay with you long after you close the book. The Forgotten Home Child is a must read for fans of historical fiction and the perfect book club read.

Full review will post @ Caffeinated Reviewer on March 2, 2020. Link provided.

This book will long live in my conscience. What a tour de force Genevieve Graham has researched and written. I also had never heard of the Home Children and to know that this novel is a true story of the experiences of the British Home Children is truly heartbreaking.
Winny is living on the streets in Liverpool with other unfortunate children also living on the streets in the 1930’s when they are caught stealing, split up, and Winny and her friend Mary are delivered to Dr. Bernardo’s Barkingside Home for Girls where they live comfortably. Then it is decided that they are to have the privilege of being sent to Canada to live with loving families. They reconnect with the boys, Mary’s brother, Jack and two brothers while waiting to board the ship taking them across the ocean to Canada. Their story is told in the past and a present where Winny, now 97, comes to terms with her perceived shameful past, and finally shares her secrets with her family. The story focuses mainly on Winny, Mary, and Jack and paints a very disturbing picture of the horrific treatment these children were subjected to.
It is mind numbing to think that 100,000 to 130,000 children between the ages of 3 and 18 were subjected to this horrific abuse. This is a must read for everyone. There are excellent thought provoking questions at the end that have “Book Club” written all over them. I am going to strongly urge my own book club to read this one so we can talk about it. I could not put this book down once I started it.
Many many thanks to Genevieve Graham, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this thought provoking book about a slice of Canadian history that everyone should know about. It is to be published on March 3, 2020. You need to preorder this phenomenal read! I plan to read more novels by Genevieve.

The Forgotten Home Child tells a story of Canadian history that very few know about; from approximately the 1890s to 1940s over 100000 children where sent to Canada from Britain to be “adopted” while this fairy tale happened for a few, most became indentured servants and so many were treated poorly.

This book takes us through the journey of a group of children who became a family living on the streets of London and then being sent to Canada. While their paths became individual they are intertwined.
The main character- Winny, her story is told in present day and in the past- a life she was hoping to keep secret and take to her grave. A story of love and despair, loss and a courage.

I could not put this book down, I had such an emotional attachment to the characters and I just had to know what was going to happen and found myself praying they would be ok! Absolutely fantastic historical fiction; a must read!

Thanks to #netgalley and #simonandschuster for an advanced digital copy, in return for a honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy. Such a beautifully written novel about a sad, unknown set of events. I thought the character development was wonderful and kept my attention the entire time.

I am s thankful to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Canada and Genevieve Graham for the opportunity to read The Forgotten Home Child.
The books begins with Winny answering the questions from her great grandson about an old wooden trunk Winny was carrying when she moved into their home. There begins a tale about a piece of history I knew nothing about. Winny and several friends, Jack and his sister Mary, Edward, Cecil and Quinn had been placed in a children's home in England because they did not have a home that was safe for them to stay in and the streets were not safe either. At 16, Winny and her friends were all sent to Canada to be put to work with farm families or be adopted. Because the children were so far away, the home could not keep as close a watch on them as they should have and they lived lives much worse than they had been exposed to on the streets of London.
The book tells the story in present time and also in the past as Winny is recounting everything to her family. This is a must read! I will be looking for more about the British Home Children and their stories. This book is sad, uplifting, horrific and enlightening all at the same time. Go out a buy it and I think you will agree.

This book follows the lives of children that were placed into the Barnardo Homes. Winny, Mary, Cecil, Jack, Charlotte, and Edward experienced devastating circumstances from being moved from England to Canada to the mostly horrible people that bought the children. The book exposes how children are regarded in this time period especially on farms, where children were birthed for labor and in the case of the Barnardo Home Children bought for labor. Winny is the main character, the narrator, of the story, who exposes the horrible circumstances she experienced as a child and how multiple generations were impacted by Barnardo's charity.
As to my thoughts on the book, I would have appreciated a more developed background of the children during their time in England pre and during their time at Barnardo's. A more developed background would have given the reader more knowledge about Barnardo's and the experiences of children and destitute families in England during the Industrial Revolution and the Great Depression. Further, more information can be developed with the many illnesses that children experienced while in these close quartered homes. The Note to Reader section of the book provided a lot of information about Barnardo's Homes and his charity that could have been better weaved into the book. The story after the children were settled into their new homes was well done with a lot of historical facts about their tragic lives. I appreciated that the author did explore that not all children were bought by horrible people, as in the case of Charlotte. And, I appreciated the multigenerational approach to the book include the organizations that continue to work into this modern day to expose and link families that were victims of Barnardo's charity.

Thanks to Net Galley for the digital arc. I really liked this book. I Have not read any other Genevieve Graham books but this one caught my eye. I will give this a 5 star.

A very moving, emotional story. Reminds me of America’s abandoned children who were sent by railway to Midwest farms during mid 1800s-1929, but am not aware if they were as abused and mistreated as many of the Canadian children who were forced to work under adverse conditions.
Only warning is that there some very graphic descriptions of the physical abuse suffered by both boys and girls.
An interesting story with excellent background notes provided by Genevieve Graham. Would definitely read a future book.
Thanks to #netgalley and #simonandschuster for an advanced digital copy.

I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.

1936 London: Fifteen-year-old Winny has never known a real home. After running away from an abusive stepfather, she falls in with Mary and Jack. Their ragtag group of friends are caught stealing food. Winny learns she will soon join other boys and girls in a faraway place called Canada, where families and better lives await them. Present day, Winny recalls her life and shares all with her grandchildren.

Based on the true story of the British Home Children who were shipped to Canada with the promise of a better life. Although this story seems to highlight just the tragic and hurt that happened to the kids, the overall story of the home and why it was started was interesting.

3☆

Jack, his sister Mary, Edward his brother Cecil and Winny are a group of friends doing anything they can to survive on the streets.
When the are caught by the police the girls are taken to the Barkingside Home for Girls. This is an orphanage for forgotten children. The boys are sent to a boys orphanage.
Later they learn they are being sent from England to Canada. They are assured they will be given an opportunity at a better life. They are told there are people why may adopt them. They may also be allowed to work for families and earn money after they reach a certain age.
They are excited when their little group is reunited on the ship headed for Canada.
When they arrive the three boys and one other boy are sent to work at a farm. The girls are divided and each sent to seperate farms.
When Winny is picked up her Mistress is harsh. She orders Winny to gather the eggs and milk the cows. Winny has never done anything like that. In fact this is her first time seeing a cow, how is she supposed to know how to milk it?
Living conditions were harsh. She was given the scraps from the table as her meals. She was made to sleep in the barn. The sheep kept her warm in the harsh winters.All this time she wondered about, Jack, Mary, Cecil and Edward. She hoped that they were in kinder environments. That they were warm and getting plenty to eat.
Each of the children go through some horrid experiences.
The people in charge of checking on the children were overwhelmed with all of them. They were unaware that these children were abused, starved, raped and sometimes killed.
Because of how these children were treated and how others looked at them, they were ashamed of who they were.
Many of them never divulged this secret and future families never knew the history of their ancestors.
This is a true story of Winny and her group of friends. The hardships they endured. The love, loyalty and commitment that they had for each other. It is a story of courage and strength! Brilliant!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Forgotten Home Child.

This is a novel about a group of children who were sent to Canada as part of the British Home child program. Many were orphans, many were not. These children were essentially cheap/slave labour for farms and homesteads across Canada. Many were abused physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually. The Forgotten Home Child takes the reader on a journey into this world, which honestly I did not know about. Mary, Jack, Winny, Cecil and Edward find each other as young children and learn to survive on London’s mean streets. Through a turn of events, they are brought into the world of the Barnardo Homes and are eventually sent to Canada. It is a heartbreaking story of the injustices these children went through, but also of their resilience.

Their story is an important one. I, for one, did not know about this chapter in Canadian history and was shocked to read about it. Obviously, many children who came as part of this initiative were cared for and loved, and this is also portrayed in the book. However, the dark side of this program is what the author tackles and illuminates in her novel. The writing is uncomplicated, straightforward, and easily tackled. The downfall of this story arc is that the ending feels very contrived, which for me detracted from its importance. I felt as if the writing should have had a greater impact on me and should have not been so predictable. It was a bit disappointing in that aspect. On the other hand, the illumination of Barnardo Homes is important and for that alone I would recommend this book. Just don’t expect anything other than uncomplicated writing and story structure.

This was it. This was the one. The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham is what landed her on my auto-buy list of authors. (Just to be clear there’s only one other author so far that I will buy whatever they decide to put out. Most of my other pre-orders are series continuations or buzz from other bloggers.) Graham had me spellbound. I stayed up pretty late for me on a workweek night to get as far as I could. The next day I stayed up until 2 am to finish it. I had to know what happened.

While the way Graham decided to tell us Winny’s story isn’t necessarily new, it is captivating. Of course Graham had her unique way of doing so. We get snippets of the present with the majority of the book being written in Winny’s past. It is some past. Graham won points because she taught me something new about fairly recent history. I was completely floored. I really want to go into detail about it but it might be a pretty big spoiler and I hate spoilers.

The Forgotten Home Child made me feel all of the emotions. All. Of. Them. My face has never contorted in rage while reading a book. My face completely gives me away every time. I’ve never been so angry as I was when I read parts of this book. Face contortions happened. I teared up multiple times throughout the book. It also filled me with pride for her rag tag family. What Winny and her friends experienced was horrific and that’s just the beginning of it. I’m still stunned by the way they refused to give up or be what they were told they were. Of course, understandably, not everyone could overcome their circumstances.

I adored the characters in this book. I really connected with Winny and therefore by default with Mary, Jack, Edward, and Cecil. It made reading much more intense. I rallied with them. I was with them when they were broken. Reading The Forgotten Home Child was such a great experience and it made me aware of a part of history that I wasn’t aware of. It’s a part of history that has effects still today.

I really could keep going on and on about The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham. It was an amazing read and I enjoyed it so much that I pre-ordered a copy. I don’t think that you need to be a fan of historical fiction to fall in love this book. I truly believe that it will resonate with all readers. It’s a beautiful story that needed to be written. Now it needs to be read.

The Forgotten Home Child is a historical fiction novel, set in Canada and detailing a mostly unknown chapter in Canadian history.

The novel is told in two character perspectives (Winny and Jack), with Winny's part also spanning past and present day, about orphaned or street children from England brought to Canada in the early parts of 1900s as a resettlement type program. Rather than a better life, for most children in the program, it turned into indentured servitude, abuse, and more. Winny slowly recounts her hidden past to her great grandson as he asks for family history.

The novel is definitely a page turner. It was my first read of 2020 and resulted in my staying up till 2am to finish it. I grew up in Canada and had never heard of the Home Children program, but started delving into more details after the novel.

5 Stars

I was given this advanced readers copy by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions are my own.

I cannot say enough about The Forgotten Home Child. Until I read this book, I had no idea that there was such a thing as the British Home Children. The book is a fictional, yet historically acccurate, telling of some of the things that these children had to endure. They were treated horribly. Sold into servitude, not able to leave their "masters" until they were at least eighteen years old. Some were lucky enough to get adopted. Those who weren't were abused physically, mentally, and sexually.

I fell in love with the characters. They made me laugh, they made me cry. I was angry for them. I was devastated when something happened to one of them. I don't want to give away too many details as not to spoil it for those who haven't read the book. This book was beautifully written. It is the first that I've read by this author and I am greatly impressed.

Again, I don't want to give away too much information as you really should read this for yourselves. Be prepared to go on an emotional rollercoaster!

What can I say, if you love historical fiction and The Orphan Train, run don't walk to buy a copy of The Forgotten Home Child. What a travesty that many of these children experienced. England's solution to rid itself of unwanted children, some truly orphaned and many not, was to ship them off to Canada. This story follows the lives of a group of rag tag children who begin by living and surviving in the streets of London then are places in an orphanage and then sold to families in Canada as cheap labor. The group of 3 boys and 3 girls were each other's family. One was lucky to find a loving family while the others were exploited. This tail is based on true events that happen.. I learned much about a horrible mark history and much forgotten by our neighbors to the north.

This book would be an excellent book club book with thoughtful questions found at the end to spur discussion. I cannot wait to see how it does when it is released.

Thank you, Simon and Schuster and NetGalley, for an ARC book in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful, wonderful story! It is based on a true story which makes it even more enjoyable. Winny is 97 years old now and finally reveals her past to her granddaughter and great grandson . In the 1930’s over 100,000 British children, known as British Home Children, were sent overseas, many to Canada. These were children mostly living on the streets, destitute, homeless with no money. It was thought that they had a chance for a better life in Canada. Many children did end up with a good life with families who adopted them and gave them a good life . But many, many others were sent to families who used them as slaves, abusing them. Winny, a fifteen year old, linked up with Jack, Mary, Edward, other children, and they became her family. They were all sent to Canada and lost touch with each other.the story is heartbreaking, but also illustrates the strength of these children and the love they had for each other. This story will stay in your heart long after you finish reading.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.