This is a captivating, heartbreaking story about two handicapped, dirt poor girls, 8 yr old Florrie with a useless leg due to polio and 4 yr old blind, Rosie in 1879. They live with an abusive father when their mother dies.in the late 1800's. They sell flowers in the streets of London and get beaten by their father when they don't bring enough money. One day someone tries to grab Rosie who runs away as the sisters get separated and the story flows from there.
The chapters alternate between 1879 and 1912 when Tilly leaves her home where she feels unloved, to work in an orphanage for crippled and blind girls as an assistant housekeeper in London. She gets caught up in Florrie's story when she finds her journal hidden in a closet of her room. She makes a promise to herself to find Rosie if she can.
There are many other characters involved, the girls in the Home For Crippled Children, the housekeepers and staff who take care of the girls, the Founder Albert Shaw, based on the real life of John Groom who made sure these street urchins were taken care of by teaching them the new trade of making artificial flowers; all were endearing and a big part of the story.
I was mesmerized by this book and kept thinking about it; the ending was magical and made me cry.
Highly recommended.
The chapters alternate between 1879 and 1912 when Tilly leaves her home where she feels unloved, to work in an orphanage for crippled and blind girls as an assistant housekeeper in London. She gets caught up in Florrie's story when she finds her journal hidden in a closet of her room. She makes a promise to herself to find Rosie if she can.
There are many other characters involved, the girls in the Home For Crippled Children, the housekeepers and staff who take care of the girls, the Founder Albert Shaw, based on the real life of John Groom who made sure these street urchins were taken care of by teaching them the new trade of making artificial flowers; all were endearing and a big part of the story.
I was mesmerized by this book and kept thinking about it; the ending was magical and made me cry.
Highly recommended.
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