Keeper of Lost Children: A Novel
Feb 2026 · Sold by Simon and Schuster
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13 reviews
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464
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About this ebook
*INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER*
The New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve takes us from the rubble of post-WWII Germany to an elite boarding school in Maryland where long-buried secrets bind together a visionary woman, a heartbroken soldier, and a girl in search of her true identity.
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 is a “powerful and beautifully told” (Clare Leslie Hall, bestselling author of Broken Country) that 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.
The New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve takes us from the rubble of post-WWII Germany to an elite boarding school in Maryland where long-buried secrets bind together a visionary woman, a heartbroken soldier, and a girl in search of her true identity.
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 is a “powerful and beautifully told” (Clare Leslie Hall, bestselling author of Broken Country) that 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.
*INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER*
The New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve takes us from the rubble of post-WWII Germany to an elite boarding school in Maryland where long-buried secrets bind together a visionary woman, a heartbroken soldier, and a girl in search of her true identity.
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Ratings and reviews
13 reviews
Paula Pugh
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February 15, 2026
A moving novel about the three lives of Black Americans affected by the racial barriers prior to and during the Civil Rights era of American history. Their stories poignantly reflect the constraints and injustices of those times and of how they are affected. A very impactful story. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book.All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hal Kid Jr.
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February 10, 2026
Mixed-race children left behind by U.S.soldiers during World War II were often forgotten. But this novel humanizes them, along with one brave and determined woman who just had to do something!
Debbie Dunn
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May 4, 2026
This book was so interesting and beautifully told! Caught my interest from the very first pages! Enjoyed Sadeqa Johnson’s style of writing! Was unputdownable! A part of history I didn’t know about. Loved learning all about that part of history. Unforgettable characters & story! She brought to the pages family, friendships, secrets, courage, strength, heartbreak, love & so much more. Thanks NetGalley & the publishers in letting me read this book & allowing me to leave a honest review.
About the author
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.
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 ...
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