Lisa Wingate’s 2017 novel, inspired by the real-life Tennessee Children’s Home Society scandal, tells the story of a family separated and the fight to reunite. The narrative weaves together the perspectives of two families across different time periods, exposing the dark practices of the historical adoption agency.
This fictionalized account sheds light on a significant historical injustice in American history. The novel’s popularity brought renewed attention to the lasting impact of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society’s actions on countless families, sparking conversations about ethics in adoption practices and the importance of preserving historical memory. It also ignited interest in the legal battles and settlements surrounding this complex history.