Beautiful, heart-wrenching, and timely

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The Orphan Collector is a timely emotional journey set against the backdrop of a global pandemic in 1918. The life of Pia, a young immigrant girl living in Philadelphia, is torn apart when the Spanish influenza infiltrates her family. The story follows her journey as she seeks to find answers about the fate of those she loves, including her soldier father and her young twin brothers. In an alternate storyline, another victim of the Spanish influenza, Bernice, is hardened by grief and intense xenophobia. These storylines come together to create a truly heart-wrenching story. The author has done a terrific job of incorporating a variety of topics that remain relevant today. Although it is set far in the past, this story conveys important messages that are sure to speak to any reader. The characters are also incredibly real, evoking feelings of empathy and making it easy to connect with the story. I found myself feeling many complex emotions, including despair, grief, hope, and rage as the story progressed. This is a truly beautiful book and my short review cannot possibly do it justice. Do not miss this one (but be sure to be prepared with tissues)! Thank you so much to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.