Lost in the streets and smoldering rubble of Occupied Germany, Ethel Gathers, the proud wife of an American soldier spots a gaggle of mixed-race children following a nun. Desperate to conceive her own family, she feels compelled to follow them to learn their story.
Ozzie Philips volunteers for the army in 1948, eager to break barriers for Black soldiers. Despite his best efforts, he finds the racism he encountered at home in Philadelphia has followed him overseas. He finds solace in the arms of Jelka, a German woman struggling with the lack of resources and even joy in her destroyed country.
In 1965, Sophia Clark discovers she’s been given an opportunity to integrate a prestigious boarding school in Maryland and leave behind her spiteful parents and the grueling demands. In a chance meeting with a fellow classmate, she discovers a secret that upends her world.
Toggling between the lives of these three individuals, Keeper of Lost Children explores how one woman’s vision will change the course of countless lives, and demonstrates that love in its myriad of forms—familial, parental, and forbidden, even love of self—can be transcendent.
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What a powerful and beautiful story.
I adored this story; it moved me in so many ways. I still cannot get the story out of my head. There is so much to love about the story: the plot, the characters, and especially the writing. I loved the way that Sadeqa Johnson portrayed Ozzie, Sophia, and Ethel, and how she connected all the stories. When I started reading Keeper Of The Lost Children, I wondered how the stories would connect, and Johnson intertwined them beautifully. Only within the first few pages was I intrigued by the story and captivated by the characters. I couldn’t stop turning the pages, eager to see what would happen next.
I liked that the story was told from multiple perspectives: Ozzie, Sophia, and Ethel, and across different timelines. I liked reading from each character's perspective; however, Sophia and Ethel were my favorites. I loved the way that Johnson portrayed the two of them, giving both Sophia and Ethel a purpose. You couldn’t help but admire Ethel; what she had done changed so many lives, including her own. I couldn’t get enough of her story and was rooting for her all the way through the end. I admired Sophia for her courage and determination; despite everything that was happening, she didn’t stop trying to find out the truth.
Keeper Of The Lost Children was the second book that I read by Sadeqa Johnson, and so far, my favorite one. Character development was excellent in this book. I liked the way that Johnson developed each of the characters’ stories, getting the reader to feel a connection to all of the characters. . Keeper Of The Lost Children was my first historical fiction read of 2026, and it had me craving more. I would highly recommend this for any historical fiction fans. For me, this is a must-read for 2026.
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