Sold on a Monday

This book does a good job of exploring a time in history during which Americans struggled to survive in a difficult economic climate. It delves into a horrible choice that some poor parents made to sell their children. It shows both sides of the circumstances. The writing is strong and the themes are impactful. I enjoyed it.

The main character is a journalist who takes a picture one afternoon of a sign that reads “Two Children for Sale.” When he is offered a feature article in the paper for the story, he makes a decision that snowballs into an outcome that he never predicted. He and a female colleague spend the rest of the book trying to fix the mistake that was caused by his story and to reunite a family. Along the way they discover things about themselves and their own families.

The characters are very likable. The journalist, Ellis Reed, has his faults, but he is overall an honest man who wants to do right and have a positive impact on the world. He errs in judgement, but he spends the majority of the book trying to make things right. Lily Palmer, who works at the newspaper also, is a young mother who takes the plight of the children personally and is determined to see them returned to their mother.

The author portrays the time period of the depression with sensitivity and compassion. The actions of the struggling families is not demonized. The author explores the reasons for their choices and creates sympathy for them.

Overall, this is a very good read. The story is told well, and the pacing is just right. It has many sad moments, but it also has some uplifting ones.