Before I start this review, I have to tell you I'm a longtime fan of Ellen Marie Wiseman's. I'm a member of a Facebook book group she helps moderate, and she is just the sweetest woman alive. That being said, on to the book review!
The Orphan Collector follows Pia, a 13 year old German immigrant, and her family in 1918 Philidelphia. The Spanish Flu has hit, and hit hard. Her father goes off to war to fight for his new country, so it's just Pia, her mother, and baby twins at home. When her mother falls ill from the flu and dies, it's up to Pia to take care of her siblings. Eventually, they run out of food, so Pia puts them in a safe hiding spot, leaves the apartment, and things will never be the same.
I loved this book. I thought it was a very realistic portrayal of living through a pandemic. I hated what happened to Pia, but I loved the family she ended up with. I love that she managed to stay connected with her childhood friend, and that eventually she found her siblings. All in all a fantastic book and I can't wait for Wiseman's next!
The Orphan Collector follows Pia, a 13 year old German immigrant, and her family in 1918 Philidelphia. The Spanish Flu has hit, and hit hard. Her father goes off to war to fight for his new country, so it's just Pia, her mother, and baby twins at home. When her mother falls ill from the flu and dies, it's up to Pia to take care of her siblings. Eventually, they run out of food, so Pia puts them in a safe hiding spot, leaves the apartment, and things will never be the same.
I loved this book. I thought it was a very realistic portrayal of living through a pandemic. I hated what happened to Pia, but I loved the family she ended up with. I love that she managed to stay connected with her childhood friend, and that eventually she found her siblings. All in all a fantastic book and I can't wait for Wiseman's next!