Instant New York Times Bestseller
From the internationally bestselling author of What She Left Behind comes a gripping and powerful tale of upheaval—a heartbreaking saga of resilience and hope, perfect for fans of Beatriz Williams and Kristin Hannah, set in Philadelphia during the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak—the deadly pandemic that went on to infect one-third of the world’s population.
“Readers will not be able to help making comparisons to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how little has changed since 1918. Wiseman has written a touching tale of loss, survival, and perseverance with some light fantastical elements. Highly recommended.” —Booklist
“An immersive historical tale with chilling twists and turns. Beautifully told and richly imagined.” —Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of America’s First Daughter
In the fall of 1918, thirteen-year-old German immigrant Pia Lange longs to escape Philadelphia’s overcrowded slums and the anti-immigrant sentiment that forced her father into enlistment in the U.S. Army. As her city celebrates the end of the war, the arrival of the Spanish flu brings an even more pressing danger. Funeral crepe and quarantine signs appear on doors, and victims drop dead in the streets while desperate survivors don white masks against the illness. With food running out in her cramped tenement, Pia must venture alone into the quarantined city in search of supplies, leaving her baby brothers behind.
Bernice Groves, lost in grief over her own baby's death, makes a shocking decision upon seeing Pia leave her siblings alone. Determined to tear families apart when they are most vulnerable, Bernice plans to transform the city’s orphans and immigrant children into what she believes to be “true Americans.” When Pia wakes in a makeshift hospital after collapsing, she is frantic to return home but is taken to St. Vincent’s Orphan Asylum, marking the start of a long, arduous journey.
As Bernice plots to hide the truth, Pia must confront her own fears, risking everything to ensure love and justice prevail. Powerful, harrowing, and ultimately uplifting, The Orphan Collector captures a tale of love, resilience, and the lengths we go to protect those in need.
“Wiseman’s writing is superb, and her descriptions of life during the Spanish Flu epidemic are chilling. This emotional tug-of-war is played out brilliantly on the pages.” —The Historical Novels Review, EDITOR’S CHOICE
“Wiseman’s depiction of the horrifying spread of the Spanish flu resonates with realistic portrayals of suffering, especially among the poorer immigrant population.” —Publishers Weekly (Boxed Review)
“An emotional roller coaster…I felt Pia’s strength, courage, and grief come through the pages clear as day.” —The Seattle Book Review
