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A Novel
by Sadeqa Johnson
In this new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve, one American woman's vision in post WWII Germany will tie together three people in an unexpected way.
Ethel Gathers, the proud wife of an American Officer, is living in Occupied Germany in the 1950s. After discovering a local orphanage filled with the abandoned mixed-race children of German women and Black American GI's, Ethel feels compelled to help find these children homes.
Philadelphia born Ozzie Phillips volunteers for the recently desegregated army in 1948, eager to make his mark in the world. While serving in Manheim, Germany, he meets a local woman, Jelka, and the two embark on a relationship that will impact their lives forever.
In 1965 Maryland, Sophia Clark is given an opportunity to attend a prestigious all white boarding school and escape her heartless parents. While at the school, she discovers a secret that upends her world and sends her on a quest to unravel her own identity.
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.
Looking for a well-written and serious historical novel
Hi Emily, I recently read "The keeper of lost children" by Sadeqa Johnson and really loved it. It is based on true events from WW2 but I just loved the take of showing the lives and impacts the wives of black military men stationed in Germany had that are not talked about enough. "Happy Land" by ...
-Marijana_Bankovic
To what audience would you recommend Happy Land? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
I would recommend it to anyone interested in American Historical Fiction. I just finished Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson and I think if someone enjoyed one book, they would enjoy the other.
-Supertalya
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (2/19/2026)
Great feedback, Jacquelyn! Just to avoid a bit of confusion, the newest Sadeqa Johnson book title is Keeper of Lost CHILDREN (instead of Lost Souls). How wonderful you had an opportunity to hear the author speak about the book! I still need to read Yellow Wife - not sure why I haven't accomplishe...
-Diane_Jones
"Johnson once again uncovers overlooked corners of history, blending emotional storytelling with historical depth....Through vivid historical settings, Johnson gives voice to history's voiceless and delivers a moving exploration of hope, courage, and the ties that bind us through generations." —Booklist (starred review)
"This timely, fascinating novel highlights the importance of resilience, courage, and love in all its forms." —Library Journal
"A powerful and beautifully told novel about hidden secrets and the hunger to belong. I loved it."—Clare Leslie Hall, New York Times bestselling author of Broken Country
"Keeper of Lost Children is an irresistible story that held me spellbound from the very first page. Sadeqa Johnson has an uncanny gift for mining the past and transforming it into unforgettable fiction. With its intricate plot and seamlessly shifting timelines, only a writer of Johnson's caliber could weave together such a cohesive and deeply moving narrative. Readers won't want to miss this one." —Nathan Harris, New York Times bestselling author of The Sweetness of Water
This information about Keeper of Lost Children was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of five novels. Her most recent novel, The House of Eve, was an instant New York Times bestseller, Reese's Book Club selection, NAACP Image Award nominee, and Goodreads Choice award finalist. Her previous novel, Yellow Wife, was the Library of Virginia's Literary People's Choice Award winner, Goodreads Choice Award finalist, Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, and a BCALA Literary Award honoree. Originally from Philadelphia, Sadeqa currently lives near Richmond, Virginia. For more information, go to Sadeqa.net.
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