Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had recently read other books by Sadeqa Johnson, so when The Keeper of Lost Children debuted in February, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I ended up purchasing it but read it on my Kindle and I’m glad I did.

From the beginning, I was drawn in by each of the main characters’ stories, knowing they would eventually cross paths. What I appreciated most was that I was intrigued by each storyline for different reasons. They were distinct, layered, and emotionally engaging in their own ways.

Sophia’s character stayed with me the most. As the child at the center of so much, her innocence, curiosity, and determination to gain clarity and answers kept me fully invested. I found myself empathizing with her deeply. The children in this story were portrayed with such tenderness — their innocence was clear, and that made certain moments even harder to sit with.

I struggled with Ma Deary’s parenting. Even considering the differences in time and circumstance, I found it difficult to relate to her. That tension added another layer to the reading experience for me. On the other hand, Ethel Gathers’ heart and intentions felt pure. Her presence stood out in the most meaningful way.

Sadeqa truly did her thing with the historical research. I not only learned new things, but I also found myself researching during and after reading. Some of the injustices portrayed — whether fact or fiction — were things I was already aware of, and still, reading them in this context made my skin crawl. That emotional pause? Powerful.

Overall, this was an awesome read — layered, thought-provoking, and rooted in history in a way that stays with you. Historical fiction lovers, especially those who appreciate character-driven storytelling with depth, should definitely pick this one up.

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