From the Bookshelf of Clean Reads

Before We Were Yours
by
Why we're reading this
It's a hopeful book with a positive message. While there are instances of child abuse, none mentioned are…more

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What Members Thought

Beth Given
Nov 14, 2018 rated it liked it
Shelves: audio
A look at the all-too-recent, almost-forgotten piece of history: the corruption and abuse inside the Tennessee Children's Home Society. I hadn't heard of the underhanded, illegal, and cruel practices of Georgia Tann. Her villainy rivals any fictional character the author could have come up with; she was a Trunchbull without the Olympic medals, a Cruella DeVille without the Dalmatian coats or catchy theme song. I am glad for books like this that teach a little bit of history, particularly untold ...more
Kim
Aug 05, 2018 rated it really liked it
Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize that the truth is mu ...more
Lori
Sep 13, 2019 rated it it was amazing
Poignant, well-researched and written, heartbreaking and unforgettable. The subjects of this story were fictional but the framework of the tale is historical and based on events and accounts of real individuals. The tragedy humans are capable of causing is horrific while the resiliency of the human spirit is at times absolutely amazing.
Kristen
Jun 06, 2018 rated it it was amazing
I loved the voices in this book. The story is one of loss and heartache but also one of tremendous strength. I appreciated the way it was written as well - the overarching theme of family comes through so authentically. Loved it!
Karen
Jul 15, 2019 rated it really liked it
Very entertaining and well written. There were some difficult subjects.
Brooke
Aug 31, 2018 rated it really liked it
Really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend the audiobook version. It was great!
Denise Smith
Jul 07, 2018 rated it liked it
Shelves: book-club
I give Rill’s story 4-stars, but Avery’s story only 2.5.
Elizabeth
Mar 29, 2018 rated it really liked it
Kim
May 30, 2017 marked it as to-read
Melissa
Sep 20, 2018 rated it really liked it
Maria
Aug 25, 2017 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: library, 2017
Sassa
Jul 26, 2017 rated it really liked it
Becky
Aug 23, 2017 marked it as to-read
Laurie
Sep 07, 2017 marked it as to-read
Jenny
Oct 12, 2017 rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2017-books
Kristen C
Jan 11, 2018 rated it it was amazing
Ginger
Nov 25, 2017 marked it as to-read
Susan
Jul 06, 2018 rated it really liked it
Shelves: read-for-2018
Rebecca
Mar 25, 2018 rated it liked it
Sandra Muir
Dec 08, 2017 marked it as to-read
Chris
Apr 27, 2019 rated it really liked it
Sherri Scoffield
Jan 08, 2018 marked it as to-read
Rachel Westhoff
Jan 16, 2018 marked it as to-read
Roni
Feb 04, 2022 rated it it was amazing
Jessica
Jun 20, 2018 rated it really liked it
Angelabneedham
Feb 22, 2018 marked it as to-read
Jeanette
Mar 13, 2018 marked it as to-read
Kristin
Mar 20, 2018 rated it really liked it
Christina
Mar 27, 2018 rated it really liked it
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