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sjburton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
birdinflight1's review against another edition
4.0
Sad,sad, sad book! The worst part is that it is based on true events! Why are people horrible?
ariajb's review against another edition
I started reading this when my time at the library was already almost up but then it was so slow that I couldn’t be bothered to renew it
thatnatiam's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written, thought-provoking, and mind-blowing how this kind of thing actually happened.
callienicole's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this book was a difficult story to read, but so good!
This book starts with Avery Stafford returning home to help her ill father, who is also a senator, as she is being prepared to potentially take his place. At an press event at a nursing home, she runs into an older women who has a picture that looks suspiciously like Avery's grandmother. She investigates, of course. In alternating chapters we also read the story of 12 year old Rill and she and her four siblings are in essence kidnapped from their home and put into an orphanage, to be adopted out to new families.
This story is based on real-life events in Memphis Tennessee between 1930-1950, when kids were taken from their poor families and adopted out to rich families for exorbitant fees. Families lost their children unjustly, and the adoptive families had no idea.
This story was obviously a bit difficult for me to read as a mom to five kids of my own. Rill and her siblings endure neglect and abuse in the orphanage while being separated from their families, who have no idea what happened to them.
I loved the way Wingate alternated the story lines and tied everything in. I saw part of the ending coming, but it was still immensely satisfying. This story does not end perfectly happy, and some of the sad parts still haunt me, but to me, it felt like the ending fit the story just right. Even thought it dealt with some very difficult and heartbreaking subjects, like physical and sexual abuse, it was pretty clean. I definitely recommend it, I couldn't put it down.
This book starts with Avery Stafford returning home to help her ill father, who is also a senator, as she is being prepared to potentially take his place. At an press event at a nursing home, she runs into an older women who has a picture that looks suspiciously like Avery's grandmother. She investigates, of course. In alternating chapters we also read the story of 12 year old Rill and she and her four siblings are in essence kidnapped from their home and put into an orphanage, to be adopted out to new families.
This story is based on real-life events in Memphis Tennessee between 1930-1950, when kids were taken from their poor families and adopted out to rich families for exorbitant fees. Families lost their children unjustly, and the adoptive families had no idea.
This story was obviously a bit difficult for me to read as a mom to five kids of my own. Rill and her siblings endure neglect and abuse in the orphanage while being separated from their families, who have no idea what happened to them.
I loved the way Wingate alternated the story lines and tied everything in. I saw part of the ending coming, but it was still immensely satisfying. This story does not end perfectly happy, and some of the sad parts still haunt me, but to me, it felt like the ending fit the story just right. Even thought it dealt with some very difficult and heartbreaking subjects, like physical and sexual abuse, it was pretty clean. I definitely recommend it, I couldn't put it down.
sydneybeavers's review against another edition
5.0
My! Heart! Strings! I found Avery a little difficult to connect with, but Rill!!! My heart was breaking for her and her siblings. The connection between past and present was always obvious for me, and I feel like it will be for anyone as it isn't really the huge twist of the book. Honestly, I don't think there is a huge twist. It just tells a heartbreaking story beautifully. Loved loved loved this book
tangyal's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
greenhej's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
drmkjackson's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! One you will not want to put down as you have to find out what happens next. Love the way she easily shares the “secret” bond between sisters no matter what stands in their way. A must read!