The Bereaved

Based on the author's research into hergrandfather's past as an adopted child, and the surprising discovery of hisfamily of origin and how he came to be adopted, Julia Park Tracey has created amesmerizing work of historical fiction illuminating the darkest side of theOrphan Train.In 1859, women have few rights, even to their own children. When herhusband dies and her children become wards of a predator, Martha-bereaved andscared-flees their beloved country home taking the children with her to squalorof New York City. She manages to find them shelter in a tenement packed withother down-on-their-luck families and then endeavors to find work as aseamstress.But as a naivewoman alone, preyed on by male employers, she soon finds herself nearlydestitute. Her children are hungry with no coal for their fire. Illness laysthem low and Martha begins to lose hope. The Home forthe Friendless, an aid society, offers free food, clothing, and schooling toNew York's street kids. When a cutpurse takes the last of their money, Marthareluctantly places her two boys in the Home, keeping daughter Sarah to helpwith the baby. Martha takes roommates into her one room, rotating her andSarah's bed in shifts with other struggling women. Finally, facedwith prostitution and homelessness herself, Martha takes Sarah and baby Homerto the Home for what she thinks is short-term care. When her quarterly visit toher children is blocked, Martha discovers that the Society has indentured hertwo eldest out to work in New York and Illinois via the Orphan Train, and hasplaced her two youngest for permanent adoption in Ohio. Stunned at theirloss, Martha begs for her children back, but the Society refuses. Rather thansuccumb-the Civil War erupting around her-Martha sets out to reclaim each ofthem.