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 ninety-seven 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.

The year is 1914. Thirteen-year-old Arthur is a "home child" who has just been sent from an orphanage in England to work on a Canadian farm. Sadie, a year younger, surreptitiously develops a friendship with Arthur despite her mother's warnings to keep away from him. Then Arthur saves the house from a fire she carelessly started. Will Sadie reciprocate by taking a stand for Arthur against her mother's rules? Home Child explores how Home Children - and their American counterparts on the Orphan Train - experienced being displaced, enslaved and ostracized.

"Victoria's family needs help because of her mother's illness, so they invite Marianna, an orphan from Britain to live with them. Soon they realize that Marianna needs help too" Cf. Our choice, 2002.

The Home Child tells the story of Henry Dewberry, a twelve-year-old orphan from London, England. Henry was one of a hundred thousand children who made that incredible ocean voyage to a so-called better place, called Canada. Blessed by a stroke of fate, Henry clumsily meets Lizzie, a local middle-class girl who lives in the town of Waterford, Ontario. Lizzie, along with her best friend Clara suddenly figure out what is taking place and both of them do everything possible to find out where Henry has been sent. This historical story is based on actual events and reflects life in South Western Ontario, Canada in 1907 -- called Canada West. A documented shameful period in Canadian history that was suppressed for years by all those that were involved in its execution. Canada and Australia, young nations trying hard and fast to grow up, engaged in an organized, lucrative child slave movement with mother England. This cruel and harsh immigrant trade continued for almost forty years, all the while being ignored by the world. The story reflects what life was like for young immigrant children, local children, and their strong will and desire to explore and be together. The unfortunate event at the end of the novel propels Henry from boyhood into an adult and changes his character forever. The Home Child is a story that embraces human tolerance, unthinkable harsh isolation, commitment, and the ultimate will to survive in this so-called better place called, Canada.Your heart will certainly be touched. Henry and Lizzie were my grandparents -Richard P. Tanos

*WINNER OF THE WRITERS' PRIZE - BOOK OF THE YEAR* Inspired by a true story, The Home Child is a beautiful novel-in-verse about a child far from home ‘Ground-breaking’ Benjamin Zephaniah ‘Beautifully crafted’ Guardian ‘Extraordinary’ Hannah Lowe In 1908, Eliza Showell, twelve years old and newly orphaned, boards a ship that will carry her from the slums of the Black Country to rural Nova Scotia. She will never return or see her family again. With nothing to call her own, the wild beauty of her surroundings is the only solace Eliza has – until another Home Child, a boy, arrives at the farm and changes everything. Inspired by the true story of Liz Berry’s great aunt, this spellbinding novel in verse is an exquisite portrait of a girl far from home. ‘One of the outstanding books of this year. Although this is a historical tale its resonance is timeless’ Sunday Times ‘Deeply moving. A graceful, delicate book, stunning in its emotional depth... I know I'll return to it many times in the future’ Megan Hunter, author of The End We Start From

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 ninety-seven 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.

In 1937, 10-year-old Marjorie Arnison was shipped from Britain to Prince of Wales Fairbridge Farm School near Victoria, British Columbia. For years she wouldn't talk about her past. It wasn't until daughter Patricia explored archival records and shared them with her mother that a home-child saga emerged.