{"product_id":"orphan-8-a-novel-isbn-9780062338303","title":"Orphan #8: A Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew York Times and USA Today Bestseller\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this stunning new historical novel inspired by true events, Kim van Alkemade tells the fascinating story of a woman who must choose between revenge and mercy when she encounters the doctor who subjected her to dangerous medical experiments in a New York City Jewish orphanage years before.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1919, Rachel Rabinowitz is a vivacious four-year-old living with her family in a crowded tenement on New York City’s Lower Eastside. When tragedy strikes, Rachel is separated from her brother Sam and sent to a Jewish orphanage where Dr. Mildred Solomon is conducting medical research. Subjected to X-ray treatments that leave her disfigured, Rachel suffers years of cruel harassment from the other orphans. But when she turns fifteen, she runs away to Colorado hoping to find the brother she lost and discovers a family she never knew she had.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThough Rachel believes she’s shut out her painful childhood memories, years later she is confronted with her dark past when she becomes a nurse at Manhattan’s Old Hebrews Home and her patient is none other than the elderly, cancer-stricken Dr. Solomon. Rachel becomes obsessed with making Dr. Solomon acknowledge, and pay for, her wrongdoing. But each passing hour Rachel spends with the old doctor reveal to Rachel the complexities of her own nature. She realizes that a person’s fate—to be one who inflicts harm or one who heals—is not always set in stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLush in historical detail, rich in atmosphere and based on true events, \u003cem\u003eOrphan #8\u003c\/em\u003e is a powerful, affecting novel of the unexpected choices we are compelled to make that can shape our destinies.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003eA stunning debut novel of historical fiction set in the forgotten world of New York City's Jewish orphanages\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1919, four-year-old Rachel Rabinowitz is placed in the Hebrew Infant Home where Dr. Mildred Solomon is conducting medical research on the children. Dr. Solomon subjects Rachel to an experimental course of X-ray treatments that establish the doctor's reputation while risking the little girl's health. Now it's 1954, and Rachel is a nurse in the hospice wing of the Old Hebrews Home when elderly Dr. Solomon becomes her patient. Realizing the power she holds over the helpless doctor, Rachel embarks on a dangerous experiment of her own design. Before the night shift ends, Rachel will be forced to choose between forgiveness and revenge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInspired by true events, \u003cem\u003eOrphan #8\u003c\/em\u003e is a powerful novel about the human capacity to harm—and to love.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“This book is utterly unputdownable. At once atmospheric, disturbing and absolutely engrossing, it poses a host of moral questions; I fully anticipate that it will become popular with book clubs.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHistorical Novels Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“…van Alkemade succeeds in bringing to light a fascinating and little-known chapter of history...she vividly chronicles her heroine’s pain, resilience and capacity to be honest with those who loved her, with those who betrayed her, and ultimately with herself.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLillith Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A sure book club pick and a strong debut, this title functions well on multiple levels and will appeal to a broad readership.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLambda Literary Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Inspired by actual events, van Alkemade crafts a powerful story of festering vengeance and redemption that touches readers on many levels. Alkemade has managed to incorporate many emotions into her thoughtful debut, emotions that linger long after the last page is turned.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRT Book Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Orphan #8 peers unflinchingly into a little-known chapter of America’s history, an orphanage where innocent children are experimented upon in the name of science.  With rare honesty and emotional courage, Kim van Alkemade tackles some of the largest ethical questions of our time. Yet the sense of moral outrage that permeates this novel is tempered by an understanding that all our paths are a complicated series of missteps. Orphan # 8 will leave you breathless, eager to turn each page, until you reach its dramatic and utterly beautiful ending.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDolen Perkins Valdez, author of Balm\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Kim van Alkemade has moxie.  In her provocative novel, family is saturated with betrayal, care is interrupted by ambition and desire, and the past is intimately explored, invoking the abandoned child in all of us.  Orphan # 8 brims with complicated passions and pitch-perfect historical details.  A riveting, memorable debut.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCatherine Zobal Dent, author of Unfinished Stories of Girls\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEven non-aficionados of historical fiction will find much to savor in this remarkable novel. Its themes and artistry will linger in reader memory. Orphan #8 is a remarkable work, well rooted in some little-known history... a broad landscape of issues, superbly rendered. - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eGLBT Reviews, American Library Association's LGBT Round Table\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The story of how Rachel gains agency-psychologically, bodily, and romantically-never feels forced. Her burgeoning feelings for another girl at the home are treated with depth and help the story stand out from others. The premise and lesbian representation make this a solid recommendation for fans of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Waters.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"William Morrow Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888245469413,"sku":"NP9780062338303","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062338303.jpg?v=1730228611","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/orphan-8-a-novel-isbn-9780062338303","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}