The Orphan Keeper is a book I happened to find on my own, without any recommendation from another person—and, wow--It’s truly an amazing read! So good that I have been rewarding myself by reading this novel in between my homework assignments!
This book was written by Cameron Wright, who is also the same author who wrote The Rent Collector, which I loved! So, I knew this was going to be a good book!
This novel is based on a true story about a young boy named, Chellamathu, who is only seven years old when he is kidnapped from his village in Southern India. He had a family—a mother, father, sister and a brother. Then, one day it is all gone and he finds himself very far away from home and in an unfamiliar place: The Lincoln Home for Homeless Children. Chellamathu was sold.
Chellamathu is very clever and is also kind. He takes the time to build friendships while in the orphanage even though he is grieving and longs to be home. He tries to run away once but to no avail. The orphanage takes good care of him so he chooses to go back.
After time, Chellamathu is adopted by a family in America. As a reader you are able to learn the remarkable story of his growing up years unfold from there. Sadly, Chellamathu is mocked at school for his name and therefore, his adoptive parents, Fred and Linda Rowland, choose to change his name to Taj Rowland.
All his life, Taj seeks to discover his roots and where he truly came from. The details and situations that lead him to his future wife, his schooling abroad, and ultimately back to India to find his family are absolutely amazing. I was left in tears toward the end of the book when everything came full circle and Taj was able to see his mother again after 16 years. She never gave up on finding him.
Taj had so many set backs and so many stumbling blocks along the way to finding his family and, at times, you feel so frustrated for him! The sweet reunion, in the end, is the ultimate reward. Don’t hesitate to check this book out today!
