Sold on a Monday: A True Story of Heartbreak and Resilience

A novel that is taken from actual facts. It follows all emotions, love, tragedy, hope, in the lived of the children taken and sold. It was a good read and hard to put down. After the end, the real facts are told about the actual case that the story was written about.

McMorris writes a poignant tale based on a sign spotted by a young reporter: "2 children for sale."He snaps a picture of the two children playing on a decrepit property in rural 1931 Pennsylvania. He returns to his Philadelpia newspaper, pens a poignant story but somehow the picture is lost. His editor demands a new photo but when he returns, he find the house abandoned. He sees two children in apparently similar circumstances in a house across the road, and before he can think it through, he poses the two children on their own porch with the sign from across the street, persuading their reluctant mother with a few dollars. From this bit of happenstance unfurls a gripping story with well depicted characters and timeless themes. A young female reporter from his paper is drawn into the story. Together these two young people, with unresolved issues of their own, gradually become aware of the tragic consequences for the family featured in the story and set out to right the wrongs suffered. The journey takes us into the smoke-filled newsrooms of the era, into mob-infiltrated urban activities spawnedf by Prohibition, into the pain of a couple haunted by the death of a child, back into the protagonists' own troubled families complicated by an out if wedlock pregnancy, and highlights the plight of children in those difficult economic settings whether in orphanages or bought as slave labor by struggling farming families (evoking similar trafficking of children today for baser purposes.) In short this is a compelling, well researched, many layered journey through far different times than most readers experiencd. The author captures the flavor of this bygone time, most amusingly by the young reporter's repeated use of the word "swell." An author's note at the book's conclusion reveals the genesis of this novel in a similar, haunting children for sale sign she saw in 1948. All in all, the novel is an insightful glimpse into how people in a difficult time dealt with eternally human struggles.

am drawn to books set in the Great Depression, my mother and father told me about their experiences which were very different. My mother grew up on a farm and had plenty to eat but could not buy anything. My father grew up in a small town and his father deserted his family of four, his mother had to send the children to live with different relatives for survival. Ellis Reed, a society page reporter, who wants the opportunity to\o report real news, goes into the county with his camera seeking solace in nature, He stumbles up a pair of young boys beside a sign, children for sale! He thought about the future of the boys if they were sold and then thought what would the brother died young, be like had he survived. He took a picture of the boys and the sign without even thinking about it. The picture was developed by Lillian Palmer, who also worked for the paper but was never given a chance to write because she was a woman. The picture gets noticed and a story behind it is requested and sets off an explosion of interest across the country. I loved learning more details about the Great Depression and I was immediately drawn into the story which turned into a mystery, and two people drawn together to find some lost children and the relationship that evolves between the two. I loved this book, it was the first one that I have read by Kristina McMorris and now I want to read all of her books!

Frankly, this book was only ok for me. I was interest in learning about a sect of American culture that is very often overlooked. I wanted to get a clearer understanding of the group of Americans who fervently support the current administration. This book wasn’t that. But that is not the fault of the author, as she never claimed to be writing a documentary, memoir or text book. Still, this story was far more focused on the adults in it than the children. And I was hoping to learn more about what would really drive a person to actually sell their children. There is nothing real about the economy, the psychology or real circumstances that would lead to such an act. Beyond that, the story moved very slowly. The characters where not especially likable and the writing is just ok. I didn’t care for the ABABA flow of the chapters. That’s one of the reasons why I found it so difficult to keep reading. It’s an ok read for a vacation trip, road trip, long flight or day at the beach. But..... Meh.

Trying reach my book reading goals , love to read historical stories and read this. Heartfelt story- I’m a sucker for those.

I thought it was really good and everything of what I envisioned as well as a lot of what I didn't envision. A sign of 2 children for sale taken by Ellis, a journalist/photographer for his own personal materials with pictures of 2 boys. Lily an administrative assistant for the Chief of the newspaper enters the darkroom and sees Ellis' s photos. She takes them and leaves them on the Chief's desk which piques the Chief's interest for a story. Ellis travels back to the family to do the follow-up story, but the family is no longer there, little girl Ruby next doors tells Ellis they left. Desperate for a story, Ellis decides to take the sign and take photos of Ruby and her little brother Calvin. Of course the story tugs on your heartstrings and the country is questioning the mom's decision and sending gifts, cash and toys, which Ellis drops off at night due to his shame. Ellis's conscious is nagging him so he goes to revisit the family and no one is there, no kids or mom. What he finds out is that a banker bought the kids and the mother was sick. What takes place between Ellis and Lily to make it right was enlightening on the cruelty done to kids from adults. Lily's back story and Ellis's backstory was interesting.

One day Ellis stumbles upon a scene that rocks him. In a rural Pennsylvania farm area he sees a sign that says "Two Children for Sale." He also sees a young girl and boy playing in the yard. He snaps a picture. Another person finds it in the darkroom at work and takes it to the editor, who invites Ellis to write it up. This story of Depression Era desperation is Ellis's opportunity to make it to the big time. Just before publication, the photo and negative are destroyed. All Ellis has to do is go back and take another picture, but when he gets to the farm, the family has moved. In clear defiance of all journalistic ethics, Ellis resorts to staging another photo with the children next door along with the sign he found in the yard at the original house. The rest of the book deals with the unintended consequences which follow. Without giving spoilers, let me say that whatever harm you might be imagining that could result from Ellis's reckless decision probably happens in this spellbinding story. Chapters alternate from the viewpoint of Ellis and Lilian, who has her own secrets beyond her nine-to-five life at the newspaper. Major characters include Ellis's and Lilian's families, the newspaper staff, a prominent banker, and a mobster. No depression era story would be complete without a trip or two to a speakeasy, where liquor flows despite Prohibition. If you are looking for a book club selection, author Kristina McMorris includes a bonus section of discussion questions and a link to her website, featuring recipes for food and mixed drinks that were popular in the 1930s. For book club or not, this is a fascinating book, which I recommend.

Fast moving easy read. Worth the read

I really enjoyed this book. Would recommend

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Sold On A Monday exceeded my expectations and I enjoyed it so thoroughly I could not put it down! I loved the character’s connectivity through their kindness and concern for the children’s well being. The twists & turns in the story brought a reality to a troubled time in America’s history. The desperation of people to have to resort to selling their children was perfectly described through the eyes of all the characters including their mother who never gave up hope. And the fact that it was based in a true story made it very authentic and believable. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to all readers. Ten out of ten!

A very different read, but interesting and eventually gripping

This book was lovely. It was Easy ready and not too intense. A great storyline and peek into the depression era. A good holiday book.