hiltzmoore's review against another edition
2.0
It was a great concept for a book, and I had no idea that this piece of history existed. The writing was just horrible, especially in the Avery sections. No one has internal dialogue like "Am I my father's daughter or am I just me?" Her "struggle" to seemed so fake and it distracted from Rill's main story. So frustrating and made me wish that a better author had taken the subject matter and made a much better book.
kpeerman1's review against another edition
4.0
Y'all
This book made me so emotional.
Even more so after I found out it was based from real life events.
It was an exciting but sad historical fiction that actually wasn't based around World War II.
I had never heard about "river gypsies" before this and it was an interesting look into a piece of American history during the depression that isn't often explored.
The very idea that the Tennessee Children's Home was able to operate as long as it did, unchecked, is disgusting.
The main characters were well written and the writing made me want to know their story.
This book made me so emotional.
Even more so after I found out it was based from real life events.
It was an exciting but sad historical fiction that actually wasn't based around World War II.
I had never heard about "river gypsies" before this and it was an interesting look into a piece of American history during the depression that isn't often explored.
The very idea that the Tennessee Children's Home was able to operate as long as it did, unchecked, is disgusting.
The main characters were well written and the writing made me want to know their story.
lemon_'s review against another edition
3.0
Solid story based off real events.
Overall good reading, though I do feel that occasionally the writing style and plot veered too simplistic for such a complicated setting.
Overall good reading, though I do feel that occasionally the writing style and plot veered too simplistic for such a complicated setting.
guitavla's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
prinehart's review against another edition
4.0
Really well written! I love a historical fiction and this book was no exception! Sad in parts but overall i really liked this
lauramadera1990's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
whitmc's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 really. I'm a week out of finishing it and struggling to remember the details, which actually surprises me, because I was pretty into the book while I was reading it. And while it was definitely educational on a horrible piece of history, it was both ridiculously depressing (I think unnecessarily to give an accurate historical account). And the modern-day story of the main character wrapped up weirdly neatly at the end. Finally, the structure was so very Orphan Train, whether intended as a copycat structure or not, but it felt tired...
That being said, I would still recommend it because it tells a story that needs to be told, and it kept me rapidly turning the pages until the very end.
That being said, I would still recommend it because it tells a story that needs to be told, and it kept me rapidly turning the pages until the very end.
jouvenio's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0