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Keeper of Lost Children

'I loved it' Clare Leslie Hall. From the New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve comes a heartbreaking and immersive historical novel

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Keeper of Lost Children

By: Sadeqa Johnson
Narrated by: Adam Lazarre-White, Ariel Blake, Karen Chilton, Sadeqa Johnson
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'A powerful and beautifully told novel about hidden secrets and the hunger to belong. I loved it' Clare Leslie Hall, author of BROKEN COUNTRY

'Has future classic written all over it' Red Magazine

'I loved everything about this book' Julia Quinn, author of BRIDGERTON

A BBC RADIO 2 BOOKCLUB PICK
A GOODREADS MOST ANTCIPATED BOOK OF 2026
AS SEEN ON THE TODAY SHOW

From the New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve comes a sweeping story of one woman's dream in post-World War II Germany and the three lives it changes forever.

In the smouldering ruins of post-war Germany, Ethel Gathers - an American woman longing for a child - spots a group of mixed-race children following a nun through the cobbled streets. Compelled by a force she can't explain, Ethel follows them and uncovers a hidden community of abandoned children, born to Black soldiers and German women. Determined to help, Ethel's actions set off a chain of events that will echo across generations.

In 1948, Ozzie Philips volunteers for the U.S. Army. But in Occupied Germany, he finds that the racism he tried to escape has crossed the ocean with him. Then he meets Jelka, a German woman navigating her own grief in a shattered country. Their connection, immediate and intense, changes everything.

By 1965, fifteen-year-old Sophia Clark is chosen to join a prestigious boarding school. When a chance encounter with a classmate reveals a deeply buried truth, Sophia begins a journey to unravel her past and find her place in the world.

Against the odds and across continents and decades, these three characters' lives collide - their fates forever altered.

Deeply moving and unputdownable, this is a story about identity, belonging and the ties that endure - even when history tries to sever them.©2026 Sadeqa Johnson 20th Century African American Editors Select Historical Fiction Emotionally Gripping
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Editorial Review

Sadeqa Johnson delivers another historical fiction masterpiece
Within the first five minutes of listening to Keeper of Lost Children, I knew it was going to destroy me (in the best way). Sadeqa Johnson, author of Yellow Wife and The House of Eve, is known for her remarkable historical fiction, and she's at it again with this hopeful story featuring three interconnected characters across multiple timelines. Ethel is living in post-WWII Germany when she stumbles across an orphanage housing mixed-race children. As her story unfolds, we meet Ozzie, a Black American soldier who falls in love with a German woman, and Sophia, an American teenager searching for her true identity. The way these three characters connect is magical, and they're brilliantly voiced by narrators Karen Chilton, Adam Lazarre-White, and Ariel Blake. Listen to my interview with Sadeqa, where she talks about the real-life inspiration for this incredible story. — Margaret H., Audible Editor

Critic reviews

Sadeqa Johnson has done it again! Riveted by each character's story, I was captured from the very first page. This is historical fiction at its finest, although I've come to expect nothing less from this extraordinary author. (Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times best selling author of THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN)
Keeper of Lost Children is an irresistible story that held me spellbound from the very first page. Sadeqa Johnson has an uncanny gift for mining the past and transforming it into unforgettable fiction. With its intricate plot and seamlessly shifting timelines, only a writer of Johnson's caliber could weave together such a cohesive and deeply moving narrative. Readers won't want to miss this one (Nathan Harris, New York Times bestselling author of THE SWEETNESS OF WATER)
Powerful. . . .Through the eyes of three richly drawn characters, Keeper of Lost Children explores love, identity, and the far-reaching consequences of war. What emerges is a sweeping and immersive tale of courage, hope, and the search for belonging across borders and generations (Christina, Baker Kline, #1 NYT bestselling novelist of ORPHAN TRAIN)
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An excellent book! Very well written and documented, great characters and action! The book tackles a complex and rarely told piece of history with empathy, fine detail and vivid dialogue. It also speaks about personal identity, racial injustice and segregation, activism and last but not least about the short and long term effects of war on people. I warmly recommend it.

Excellent book!

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Thoroughly enjoyed this novel which has such wonderful characters and a great storyline which gives a very moving account of the experiences of black American GI’s and the German war babies.

Wonderful story and narration

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I have enjoyed every minute of this novel. The three people around which the story weaves are so fabulous fascinating and loveable. The story touches the heart and I learnt so much about the era of US history. Thank you Sadequa.

Outstanding read

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Best book I've listened to in ages! So moving and heartbreaking, the narration is first class!

fabulous!

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Narration was really great. The story, whilst at times so sad was uplifting and informative. I knew a little about the history but this book really brought it to I life and was lovely to listen to.

Simply wonderful!

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