This is a detailed research written in an interesting way so that it is not “dry facts” and one is not bored to read it. I enjoyed this book and I feel that I learned quite a lot

Children in Care is a book I got through Netgalley last year, before I realised I need non-fiction books to be on audio to really enjoy it. I made it about 10% into this, and although I like the concept, the execution was lacking for me. At least up to where I read I felt the narrative was missing. There were a lot of examples heaped together, but it wasn't clear what they were examples of or what really tied them together. It was basically just a bit of a mess... which might improve in later chapters but I just couldn't do it.

Heart wrenching, imagine the struggles the children made, separations from families and siblings. Some 'institutions" were o.k. but the thought was there for care

This is, without a doubt, one of the most thoroughly researched history books I have ever read. That research makes what could be a depressing work one that also offers hope. I shed tears reading it, usually during the parts about how they ended up in care in the first place, but also found myself marveling at the people who worked so hard to help the children and families. That’s a narrative about the time period that is seldom told. Highly recommended!

This book is extremely well researched and the writing keeps you glued to it. It tells about how children (and entire families) end up in the care of the government. Most books I have read on this has been dismal with horrendous treatment to the children. This book is so heart lifting and tells stories of how the homes and workhouses over extend themselves helping some of these cases. The stories are real and the writing flows making a book ,that could be a research book, quite enjoyable.

A fascinating and well researched account. I certainly will be making sure the library obtains a copy as apart from being an interesting read, it also is a book readers could use as research

This was a fascinating history of children in care in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This book recounts the histories of actual named children, so it is a much more personal documentary thn mere statistics. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an review this book.

This book is well researched and looks at the wide range of reasons why children end up in care. It is unfortunate that those reasons have changed little over the centuries. This book looks in detail some cases of children taken into care. Some had a terrible life others were lucky enough to find people who cared. It was very interesting and informative even for those who are not trying to research ancestor who was in care.

Children in Care 1834-1929 is a huge body of the research that relates to children who were in care, why and how but most often those children who came into the care of Louisa Brandreth in Dickleburgh in Norfolk. This woman had a real urge to ensure that the children who she had in her care had the skills to live independently in the future. For this aspect alone the book was well-worth reading.

However after a while the short excerpts of lives that led to the need for care and brief outlines of others who had led fruitful lives afterwards became blurred by the sheer weight of cases and the relatively brief and specific aspects that the research shines light on.

This book is about the children in care who landed there for different reasons.

It shares a study of more than 300 children who came in care of a charity in Norfolk in the 1870's.

It is a well researched book and gives great insight in these childrens lives in the care system, before, during and after.

It was such a heartwrenching read and made me cry at times. Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for granting me this e ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An interesting and well researched book. This gave a real insight into the lives of children in the "care" system before the care system actually existed, before the welfare state and when parents could just upsticks and leave their children to fend for themselves. This is a good social history of one woman's attempt to offer care to children who.would otherwise be abandoned. Heartbreaking in places but also cheery reading what some of the rich were able to do for the poorer members of society.

Rosemary Steers' book focuses on the fate of Children in Care 1834-1929, specifically those children who came into the care of Louisa Brandreth and other like minded souls in the village of Dickleburgh in Norfolk . The research which Ms Steer engaged in for this book is inspiring- she is fully deserving of the credit for this informative, fascinating insight into the lives of these children and the people who cared for them. Although most of the research is centred on these particular cases, nevertheless the author provides an exceptional grasp on the national issue surrounding children left to fend for themselves in many cases but also the heartache faced by parents who were in the position of being unable to care for their children. This book is written for anyone who has an interest in the social history of the period as well as students and academics, The language is very accessible to the lay person and I found the narrative flowed well, it is humorous in parts and deeply sad in others. My very grateful thanks to Netgalley and Pen and Sword publishers for an ARC of this book. I highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book via Netgalley!

I was skeptic when I first heard Of this book. I wasn’t sure what it aimed at. I was pleasantly surprised! I learned so much for this book about how what we call today the children’ aid society was created. How adoption, fostering, orphanages and even children being sent to other countries emerged. it is still highly debated today whether some of these ways were Beneficial or harmful to the children. The author did a good job of presenting facts and arguments for both sides. Added bonus: seeing the old letters, pictures and applications At the end of the book.it put a note of realism into what was read.

trigger warnings
<spoiler> forced immigration, kidnapping, domestic abuse, child neglect, child abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, corporal punishment, torture, child murder, child death, lethal illness </spoiler>

In her book, Rosemary Steer explores the reality of foster care for children in England and Scotland in the time between 1834-1929, as laws and manner of care changed afterwards rapidly, covering the time Charles Dickens wrote about.

While normally, books of this kind anonymise the children's identities, in this case and through the permission of charities and descendants, she was able to give specific names and telling the children's tales. Why they were in need of care, how and where they were placed, if they went on from the care system or if their children in turn were in need of instutionalised help, too.

In one chapter, the law situation is explored and the chosen timeframe explained, in another, we hear about ways the children left their foster homes for apprenticeship - and one chapter is dedicated to the elegant and cruel solution of just dumping unwanted strays into the colonies, especially Canada and Australia.

Basically, this book told me that my prejudices formed by contemporary novelists and historical fiction are true, but that it was also possible to get lucky and be placed in a caring home with nice and decent people.

Since non fiction arcs are hit and miss, this one was written perfectly, with many footnotes and source material listed. Bleak but very informative. To be recommended if you happen to want more about this topic.

I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Well researched and cited, this book has enough personal detail to keep it interesting and readable for laypeople.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy for my review.

Such an interesting book. I have read about children in care before in novels.
Good information. Makes you quite sad learning of these children.
Good, informative read.