The Little Orphan Girl

The Little Orphan Girl
Author: Sandy Taylor (Fiction writer)
Publisher:
Total Pages: 442
Release: 2020
Genre: Ireland
ISBN: 9781004001767

When Cissy Ryan's real mother comes to claim her from the workhouse, it's not how she imagined. Her family's tumbledown cottage has ice on the inside of its windows and is in an isolated, poverty-stricken village in the muddy Irish countryside. But when Cissy is allowed to help neighbour Colm Doyle and his horse named Blue on their milk round one morning, Cissy starts to feel as though friendship could get her through anything. It's Colm who looks in on Cissy's grandfather when she starts at the village school, and Colm who tells her to hold her chin high when she interviews for a position at the grand Bretton House. But in the vast mansion with its shining floors and sweeping staircase, it's Master Peter Bretton who captures Cissy's heart with his dark curls and easy laugh.

The Orphan House

The Orphan House
Author: Ann Bennett
Publisher: Forever
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2021-10-05
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781538707517

Trouble Don't Last

Trouble Don't Last
Author: Shelley Pearsall
Publisher: Yearling
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2008-12-18
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0307548309

Eleven-year-old Samuel was born as Master Hackler’s slave, and working the Kentucky farm is the only life he’s ever known—until one dark night in 1859, that is. With no warning, cranky old Harrison, a fellow slave, pulls Samuel from his bed and, together, they run. The journey north seems much more frightening than Master Hackler ever was, and Samuel’s not sure what freedom means aside from running, hiding, and starving. But as they move from one refuge to the next on the Underground Railroad, Samuel uncovers the secret of his own past—and future. And old Harrison begins to see past a whole lifetime of hurt to the promise of a new life—and a poignant reunion— in Canada. In a heartbreaking and hopeful first novel, Shelley Pearsall tells a suspenseful, emotionally charged story of freedom and family. Trouble Don't Last includes an historical note and map.

The Runaway Sisters

The Runaway Sisters
Author: Ann Bennett
Publisher: Bookouture
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2020-09-15
Genre:
ISBN: 9781838882341

I'll never forget the night when everything changed. I saw the first glimmers of daylight over the roofs from the window before I heard it. We were used to air raids by then and I recognised German engines, but something felt different this time. They were closer than I'd ever heard them before... Devon, 1940: When fifteen-year-old Daisy is evacuated from her home in London, she knows she must look after her younger sister Peggy. She is the only one who can reassure Peggy that life will go back to normal, reading to her from their one battered children's book, ensuring she takes the cough medicine their mother tucked in the pocket of her gas mask bag. But when the sisters' new home is suddenly bombed, they are taken into the countryside, and Daisy quickly realises that not everyone at home is on the right side of the war. Forced to work in fields alongside orphan children, she finds herself drawn to a young boy called John, who has tried and failed to escape many times before. Then Peggy gets sick and Daisy knows that, to save her life, they must run away. But now Peggy is not the only one Daisy is desperate to protect. As war rages all around, Daisy learns that sometimes you have to sacrifice everything if you want to save the people you love. And that the choices you make in your darkest days will affect your family for generations to come... Perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate, Diney Costeloe and Shirley Dickson, The Runaway Sisters is a tale of heartwrenching loss and uplifting courage. It's a story about family, and the light that can be found in the dark clouds of war. What readers are saying about Ann Bennett: 'Oh my goodness. What an amazing story of life, love, loss and finding yourself... Awe inspiring. I honestly am left reeling. This is my first book from this author, although it definitely will not be my last. Thank you for a journey that I will not soon forget.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'An amazing and spellbinding read. Exceptionally well done. I hated when it ended.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Wonderful storytelling! I have just finished reading this book and I'm bereft! I was able, for a few days, to lose myself completely in the story... I highly recommend this book to anyone.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'What an amazing read!!! I didn't expect this to be a rollercoaster of emotions, suspense, and mystery but it was everything!!... I recommend this book so much!!!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'This book gave me all the feelings at once... Keeps you hooked through the whole book.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'If there were ever to be a perfect bookclub book, it would be The Orphan House... Beautifully portrayed characters, who were so vivid... Almost felt like watching it on the big screen, every place, person, and circumstance came to live and felt almost tangible... Will surely touch your soul.' Goodreads reviewer 'True to life and totally believable. The plot was intriguing, and the delivery was perfect.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

The Girls from See Saw Lane

The Girls from See Saw Lane
Author: Sandy Taylor
Publisher:
Total Pages: 438
Release: 2016
Genre: Female friendship
ISBN: 9781510043855

Brighton 1963. Mary Pickles and I walked along the street with our arms linked, looking in shop windows. We were best friends and together we were invincible. Dottie and Mary forged a friendship over a bag of penny sweets when they were eight years old. They've shared everything together since then - the highs and lows of school, family dramas, hopes and dreams and now, at seventeen, they're both shop girls, working at Woolworths. As they go out in the world in pursuit of love and happiness, the simplicity of their childhood dissolves as life becomes more complicated. The heady excitement of first love will consume them both, but the pain of unintentional betrayal will test their friendship in ways neither of them could ever imagine.

Booklist’s 1000 Best Young Adult Books since 2000

Booklist’s 1000 Best Young Adult Books since 2000
Author: Gillian Engberg
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 358
Release: 2014-05-15
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0838911501

With the explosion in YA publishing, it’s harder than ever to separate good books from the rest. Booklistmagazine’s editors’ deep and broad knowledge of the landscape offers indispensable guidance, and here they bring together the very best of the best books for young adults published since the start of the 21st century. Drawing on the careful judgment of expert YA librarians, this book Includes a foreword by best-selling YA lit authority Michael Cart, who demonstrates how we have entered a new golden age of books for young adults Collects reviews which showcase the most stimulating contemporary YA titles Features an essay in each section, grouped by genre, presenting an overview and examining relevant trends Indexes selections by author, title, and genre for handy reference The thoughtful professional review coverage for which ALA’s Booklist is known makes this volume an ideal tool for YA readers’ advisory and collection development.

The Runaway Children

The Runaway Children
Author: Lindsey Hutchinson
Publisher: Boldwood Books Limited
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022-02
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781801626606

A heart-warming saga about surviving against the odds and finding a family, from top 10 bestseller Lindsey Hutchinson. In two rundown houses, at the side of a barren Black Country heath, live six children with no family but each other. Abandoned or orphaned, every day is a fight to find food and keep warm. But they are determined to stay free of the clutches of the workhouse and the horrors that would face them if they were ever torn apart. Dora Parsons lives with her mother Mary and her evil grandmother Edith. Edith's house may be comfortable and warm, and food is plentiful, but every day Dora suffers at the hands of her spiteful gran. Desperate to protect her child, Mary longs to run away but she has no money to keep them alive and nowhere else to call home. When fate intervenes and Mary and Dora meet the children, events are set in train that will change all their lives forever. But will the friends find peace and comfort at last, or does the chill of the winter signal the most desperate ending of all... The Queen of Black Country sagas is back with a heart-breaking, page-turning story of survival, friendship and what it means to be a family. Perfect for fans of Val Wood and Lyn Andrews. Praise for Lindsey Hutchinson: 'A great story with a great mix of characters, well written and keeps you hooked with each page turn!' Sarah Davies, NetGalley 'A wonderful read ... The author writes so well, it's a really hard novel to put down!' Grace Smith, NetGalley. 'Make sure to read this book where you won't be disturbed because once it gets going, you won't want to put it down' Andrea Ruiz, NetGalley 'A very poignant, feel-good-factor novel' Shelia Easson, NetGalley 'Excellent story!' Stephanie Collins, NetGalley 'The story will linger in your mind long after you finish it' The Avid Reader.

A Child for Sale

A Child for Sale
Author: Pam Howes
Publisher: Bookouture
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023-09-15
Genre:
ISBN: 9781800197923

I reach out, arms aching to hold my newborn baby, and catch just a glimpse of soft, dark-brown hair before someone pushes me back onto the bed. 'It's alive, ' says the woman who delivered my child before she places something over my face. My last thought is of my baby's first cry before my world goes dark. 1964. When seventeen-year-old Laura Sims realises she's pregnant, her boyfriend Pete says they will look after and love their baby together; but Laura's mother turns on them in fury. Wrenched from her home and the boy she loves, Laura is thrown into a home for unmarried mothers. With no access to the outside world and treated harshly, Laura fights to keep her child safe and to find a way to escape the nightmare... 2015. Despite the anguish of losing their firstborn, Laura and Pete have been happily married for fifty years. But they've never given up on their lost child. And when Laura uncovers a tattered old diary from someone who worked at the home where she last saw her child, her heart breaks in two: those who ran the home sold their baby to a desperate, childless family. Such cruel actions give Laura and Pete a tiny sliver of hope. Is there a chance to find their child, safe and happy, or will their search bring them only heartbreak and devastation? A totally heart-wrenching and utterly gripping novel about how far a mother will go to find her child. Before We Were Yours, Sold on a Monday and The Orphan Train fans will be swept away by this gorgeous novel that reminds us to never give up on those we love. What readers are saying about Pam Howes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Heart-wrenching... You will need tissues... I just loved it all... Brought tears to my eyes as I read... Just perfect... 10/10.' NetGalley reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'My heart felt like it was literally going to burst... Gripping... A powerful and moving story that I didn't want to end... A must-read.' By the Letter Book Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'I love this book so much... So many tears were shed whilst reading this I got a blocked nose!... Oh my days I'm so into this... Fantastic.' Read Along With Sue Ward ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'WOW what a fabulous book!!... Loads of laughter and tears - it is absolutely a book you will not be able to put down until you finish it, for that reason I had sleepless nights!! I can't recommend it highly enough.' Goodreads Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Oh what a corker... Fantastic... Tissues ready though, okay?... Literally moved me to tears, filled my arms with goosebumps... Truly spell-binding, humble, and utterly poignant... Historical fiction at its finest.' The Writing Garnet