The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham

 Between 1869 and 1948, “100,000 to 130,000 destitute British children between the ages of three and eighteen were taken from England’s streets, orphanages, and homes, and then shipped across the ocean to work in other countries, where it was thought they’d have a chance to lead better lives.” Unfortunately, “there were few to no checks and balances in place.” Some children did benefit, however, most did not.

Canada, 2018. When Winnifred is asked by her great-grandson about his family tree, she feels it’s the right time to reveal her story.

England, 1936. Fifteen year old Winny finally feels safe and well-fed with a good friend Mary by her side, when they learn that soon they will be traveling to Canada, where families and better lives await them.

The story goes back in time and reveals how the children met, involving also Mary’s brother Jack and two brothers, and how the streets became their home.

In Canada, things don’t go as they hoped. They get separated.

The program originally created by Dr. Thomas Barnardo had good intentions, but with Canada’s vastness it got out of hand. It was almost impossible to monitor conditions of all children.

Winny works long hours doing farm chores. Sleeping and eating in the sheep barn. The food is not properly provided. She is outgrowing her shoes and suffers many blisters because of that. But what gives her spark in life is an indentured boy who works for the same family. He puts some humor into her life, which also lightens up the sad tone of the story.

Winny’s story alternates with Jack’s story and his three friends.

During the winter time, when there is less farm work, all kids are contracted to go to school. But it doesn’t necessarily happen that way.

At eighteen, they are free to pick their own paths. What paths will they pick? Will some paths of those close friends cross again?

The innocent voices of those children pulled me into the story right away. However, as the story builds up the tone is sad. Once, they’re in Canada, their lives are not easy, but with those harsh people who provide work, some of them show a human side at some point, which then gives the story a softer, kinder tone. And makes the story even more engrossing.

The sad part of the story shows a beautiful side of human resilience. And that among those harsh people, there are still kind ones.

A couple of times, I got teary eyes and it wasn’t during a time showing children’s hardship, but actually when harshness of some showed human side and while reading one letter written from a man to a man about those we love.

This interestingly woven story brings a little known chapter in Canadian history. With different parts, some sad, some uplifting and some joyful, it touches upon human emotions.

Some of us are getting exhausted by the dual-timeline stories, especially with one timeline set in modern time. If you are one of those readers, then keep in mind that it takes 5 or 6 short chapters. And at the same time, I can see how the author was trying to make a point to show how some things were different back then and how they are now. Also there is a very nice twist at the very end.

Release date: 3 March 2020

Source: Simon & Schuster