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The Forgotten Home Child cover art

The Forgotten Home Child

Written by: Genevieve Graham
Narrated by: Alana Kerr Collins, James Langton
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Publisher's Summary

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 97 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.

©2020 Genevieve Graham (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

What listeners say about The Forgotten Home Child

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Wow what a powerful story

I absolutely loved this book. A magnificent story that stirred so many emotions. I was previously unaware of the home children from England. A definite must read for all.

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1 person found this helpful

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History that should be taught!

Excellent book, sad chapter to history that is often untold. I myself, stem from one of the home children from Britain. My GreatGrandmother and her sister came over to Canada as one of Bernardo’s. I haves mixed feelings of the scheme of it’s time but book is so true of what happened to many children.
Excellent narrative well done!

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Tragic story that all Canadians should know

Tragic story that deals with a sad time in Canadian history. This should be taught in school.

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Good for a quiet day

Enjoyed hearing this narrative that builds on an untold history. sorrowful at times, but a meaningful, heartening tale in the end.

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To many things are forgotten in Canada

I enjoyed the book. I hated the people, that hurt the young children , something that should not happened. Some things are still happening today, and maybe just everyone who is hurt should tell,

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So Good!

This little known part of Canadian history is so tragic but I am so glad that we are finally being made aware of it. This is such a well-done novel.

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It was a beyond amazing book.

I highly recommend this book... loved every minute. It is a heartbreaking yet lovely story. M

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Enlightening!

My Great Grandmother was a British Home Child. I grew up knowing this, and had a vague idea of the basics. I was always told that she was fortunate to have been taken in by kind people, and that this was not always the case. This was followed by a story that is foggy in my memory but involves a boy getting struck by pitchfork. All my life I thought this must have been an accidental incident, though perhaps not...
This informative novel illuminates what it may have been like for my Great Grandmother and I am grateful. Thank you!

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A tribute to Canada's Forgotten History

Incredible book start to finish. Although the characters were fictional their stories were based and hidden truth.

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  • JT
  • 2021-05-06

Loved the story and performances

As a Canadian, I can’t believe I’ve never heard or learned about home children in school. I’m so happy I listened to this book. Great story that reflects what home children went through, and great performances by the narrators. Highly recommend!

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