Review: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

                Before We Were Yours is a fictional account of a story that really happened. From 1924-1950, approximately 5000 children were stolen and then adopted out to wealthy families.  This story makes it real as it follows a poor family who loses its children and its identity through this horrible racket. It follows the children into adulthood and shows the real consequences that each face because of the tragedy they lived through.

                Because I am an adoptive mother myself, this story touched me deeply on many levels. The loss, the hopelessness, the frustrations felt by the characters are so real. I lived the story with the characters. They stay with you for a long time.

The story switches from the past story to a present story because a granddaughter researches it because of an old photograph. We see how the past influences the present and the future. Though the story has so much pain in it, the story does not leave you hopeless. The conclusion fills you with grace and hope. Life does move forward and love can prevail.

                I recommend this book for its realness and for its deep emotional pull. I keep thinking about the characters and the many children and families who went through this difficult time.  Before We Were Yours speaks about adoption, orphans, elderly, and the human story with authenticity and weaves love and grace into it so it becomes a story you will want to savor and read again.