Review : "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate

If you found the subject of the Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline intriguing, you will want to read this book. This story covers the fate of orphans during the late 1930’s and the images it leaves you with are haunting. It begins in the present day with Avery Stafford, the prominent daughter of a senator from South Carolina. During a press conference in a nursing home, she meets May Crandall, an elderly patient who is sure that Avery is someone from May’s past. The exchange pulls at her heartstrings but the nurses lead May away explaining that she is new at this home and confused. This would be the end of it but unknown to Avery, May slips off her bracelet and takes it. When this becomes apparent, Avery returns to collect the bracelet and in May’s room she finds a picture that bears a strong resemblance to her grandmother. This starts Avery’s quest to find out exactly who May is. Her journey leads to the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. The horrors that are exposed and the insight into her past is something she could never have imagined.

Ms. Wingate keeps the story interesting and moving by having two people narrate the story. For May, her story starts in the past and progresses to the present. It is captivating yet heartbreaking as you relive her life through her eyes and the sorrows she endures and still carries with her. Avery’s story is told in the present as she not only struggles to find the truth about May and her grandmother, but also her struggles to live the life that is expected of her. Both are enthralling reads and makes this book hard to put down.

This historical fiction book did exactly what a good one of this genre should, it inspired me to research the Tennessee Children’s Home Society and adoption in the late 30’s. Although May and her family are fictional, the events that transpired are horrifying but real. Stories like this need to be told and recognized so we don’t repeat our past and I highly recommend this work. This book can be read by young teen readers to adult although some of the images evoked can be disturbing.

I requested and received this book from NetGalley for review.