Before We Were Yours

Before We Were Yours is a historical novel by Lisa Wingate that tells the story of the Tennessee Children's Home Society, a real-life organization that operated from the 1920s to the 1950s and was responsible for the kidnapping and trafficking of thousands of children. The novel follows the story of a family that becomes entangled with the society and the devastating impact that it has on their lives.

The novel is told from the perspective of two different characters, one in the past and one in the present. The first is Rill Foss, a twelve-year-old girl who lives with her parents and siblings on a shanty boat on the Mississippi River. One night, Rill and her siblings are taken from their home by the police and placed in the custody of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. They are told that their parents have abandoned them and are sent to live in the society's facilities.

The second character is Avery Stafford, a successful lawyer and politician who comes from a wealthy and powerful family in South Carolina. When Avery returns home to help her father with his senatorial campaign, she becomes curious about her family's past and begins to uncover secrets about her grandmother's connection to the Tennessee Children's Home Society.

As Avery delves deeper into her family's history, she discovers that her grandmother had a sister who was taken from her by the society and never seen again. She also learns that her family's wealth and privilege were built on the suffering of others and that they have a responsibility to confront the past and make amends.

Before We Were Yours is a powerful and emotional novel that shines a light on a little-known chapter of American history. It explores the devastating impact that the Tennessee Children's Home Society had on the lives of thousands of children and their families and raises important questions about the ethics of adoption and the responsibility of those in positions of power.

The novel also delves into issues of family, identity, and the importance of knowing one's history. It shows how our past experiences and the actions of our ancestors can shape our lives and our sense of self, and it highlights the importance of confronting difficult truths in order to move forward.

The characters in Before We Were Yours are complex and well-developed, and their stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring. Rill Foss is a particularly compelling character, and her resilience and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity are truly inspiring. Avery Stafford's journey of self-discovery is also engaging, and her efforts to uncover the truth about her family's past are both courageous and admirable.

Overall, Before We Were Yours is a well-written and deeply moving novel that offers a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and social justice. It is a book that will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page, and it is sure to spark important conversations about the legacy of America's past and the responsibility that we all have to confront it.