Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by amandamagdic
The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If you're anything like me this book will be an eye opening look at a part of Canada's history I didn't even know existed. That is, the story of the British Home Children that were sent to Canada and other countries to clean up the streets of England and work as cheap labour overseas. While this story is a work of fiction, it is pulled from real life accounts of actual events that occurred.
The Forgotten Home Child is told in two timelines ( mainly the past) and from two perspectives. Our main character Winny has left home at the age of 15 fleeing an abusive step father and absent mother. Living on the streets of London she joins with the sibling pairs of Mary and Jack, and Edward and Cecil, with whom she forms a tight bond as they protect each other from the dangers of street living. Then they call get arrest and send to Barnardo's homes for children where they begin training in the trades and learning life skills. When the learn they are being sent away to Canada to work for families in need they are told they're being given opportunities for a better life. That sadly is not what awaits the group. Being sent to farms (which they have no experience in) to work as indentured servants they are poorly treated, beaten frequently, and forgotten but the agency that was supposed to help protect them.
Graham writes an emotional, heartbreaking tale of survival that captivates you as a reader. We are given an endearing cast of characters that you become attached to and can't help feel for. An amazing piece of historical fiction that I just couldn't put down! Definitely a must read.
The Forgotten Home Child is told in two timelines ( mainly the past) and from two perspectives. Our main character Winny has left home at the age of 15 fleeing an abusive step father and absent mother. Living on the streets of London she joins with the sibling pairs of Mary and Jack, and Edward and Cecil, with whom she forms a tight bond as they protect each other from the dangers of street living. Then they call get arrest and send to Barnardo's homes for children where they begin training in the trades and learning life skills. When the learn they are being sent away to Canada to work for families in need they are told they're being given opportunities for a better life. That sadly is not what awaits the group. Being sent to farms (which they have no experience in) to work as indentured servants they are poorly treated, beaten frequently, and forgotten but the agency that was supposed to help protect them.
Graham writes an emotional, heartbreaking tale of survival that captivates you as a reader. We are given an endearing cast of characters that you become attached to and can't help feel for. An amazing piece of historical fiction that I just couldn't put down! Definitely a must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide