Book Review: ‘All The Children Are Home: A Novel’ By Patry Francis

In 1959 in a small Massachusetts town, the Moscatelli family of Mom Dahlia and dad Louie, has been fostering children for years now. And now they’re getting a six-year old Indian girl named Agnes, who they don’t really want. She was abused at her previous house and is quiet, small and withdrawn. She bounds with the family of Jimmy, Zaide and Jon (the last two are related). But after a few weeks she’s removed and given to the Doherty’s, who want to adopt her. Agnes has come to like the Moscatelli family and doesn’t want to leave and runs back to their house. She ends up back with them and the family really comes together. As the years go on things start to change. The oldest Jimmy goes to Vietnam and when he returns is never the same. Zaide and Jon’s real father returns and wants his kids back. Zaide won’t go but Jon is forced to go against his wish. We continue to follow them through high-school, boyfriends and a family dynamic that will keep you enthralled right up to the very end. A great look at the Foster Care system and how theirs lives are affected by it. A strong character written novel, told by alternating views of the different characters in the novel.

You can pick up All The Children Are Home in stores on Tuesday, April 13th from Harper.