Coming-of-age novel exposes harsh reality of eugenics movement

“American eugenics is often misunderstood and forgotten, yet it impacts the heritage of so many of us. These women’s voices went unheard for enough years.”

On a stormy winter day in 1928, representatives of the Pennsylvania Children’s Aid Society come to collect the four Wilson children, who are living alone in their farmhouse — with no guardians to be found. Splitting the family up, we follow Anna, the eldest, as she endures impossible hardships, abuse and trauma at the hands of an uncaring society.

"The Invisible Ones" (Vanguard Press) is a harrowing novel, inspired by the true stories of author Jaime Grookett’s grandmother and great-grandmother.“They drove me to learn more about the treatment of women in American history … women who lost their identities, many of whom remain nameless.”

Anna Wilson is the oldest of four children. On the day her mother walks out on them — long after their father has left — Anna steps in to become their guardian. Of course, she’s only 17 and cannot legally claim her siblings as her dependents. Together, the family survives for several months alone on their farm, tending to daily tasks and keeping themselves fed and afloat. When the state steps in, the children are torn from their home and each other.

With no knowledge of where her siblings have ended up, Anna is dropped into the custody of a family that she soon learns is crueler than she could have imagined. One night, with Ma and Pa out of the house, her foster brother forces himself on her — and it won’t be the last time.

Soon, when the symptoms of pregnancy begin to appear, Anna realizes that her situation has become more dire. She’s trapped, with no way to find her siblings except for a letter that she is unable to read — yet....