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Halfpenny Orphans #1
The Orphans of Halfpenny Street
Call the Midwife meets Dr Barnardo’s in this gritty drama that will appeal to fans of Nadine Dorries and Kitty Neale.
When there is nowhere else to turn, St Saviour’s will give them hope…
It’s 1948 and London’s East End is still a bombed-out landscape. Sister Beatrice, who runs the St Saviour’s Children’s Home, knows that life is still a precarious existence for many children and it seems that there is no end to the constant stream of waifs and strays who appear at their door looking for a safe haven.
One such arrival is Mary Ellen whose mother is gravely ill. The one silver lining is her best friend, the tearaway Billy Baggins, also a resident of the home, but Billy seems intent on falling foul of Sister Beatrice’s strict regime.
New arrival on the staff, Angela, admires Sister Beatrice, but can see that the children need love and kindness as well as a strong hand. When an unwelcome face from Billy’s past arrives on the scene, things are brought to a head. Can the two women work together to keep Billy on the straight and narrow – or is it too late?
When there is nowhere else to turn, St Saviour’s will give them hope…
It’s 1948 and London’s East End is still a bombed-out landscape. Sister Beatrice, who runs the St Saviour’s Children’s Home, knows that life is still a precarious existence for many children and it seems that there is no end to the constant stream of waifs and strays who appear at their door looking for a safe haven.
One such arrival is Mary Ellen whose mother is gravely ill. The one silver lining is her best friend, the tearaway Billy Baggins, also a resident of the home, but Billy seems intent on falling foul of Sister Beatrice’s strict regime.
New arrival on the staff, Angela, admires Sister Beatrice, but can see that the children need love and kindness as well as a strong hand. When an unwelcome face from Billy’s past arrives on the scene, things are brought to a head. Can the two women work together to keep Billy on the straight and narrow – or is it too late?
512 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2015
About the author
Cathy Sharp
29 books48 followersCathy Sharp is happily married and lives with her husband in a small Cambridgeshire village. They like visiting Spain together and enjoy the benefits of sunshine and pleasant walks, while at home they love their garden and visiting the Norfolk seaside.
Cathy loves writing because it gives pleasure to others, she finds writing an extension of herself and it gives her great satisfaction. Cathy says, 'There is nothing like seeing your book in print, because so much loving care has been given to bringing that book into being.'
Cathy loves writing because it gives pleasure to others, she finds writing an extension of herself and it gives her great satisfaction. Cathy says, 'There is nothing like seeing your book in print, because so much loving care has been given to bringing that book into being.'
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 21, 2016
This is very much like Call the Midwife in a children's home with nuns, nurses and sick children. It is quite an easy read in style and I did warm to some of the characters especially Mary Ellen and Billy and it is also very sad in parts and made me cry. It is the first in a series and I have the other two to read but thoroughly recommend.
February 24, 2018
A very appealing read, breathing the atmosphere of old London just after WWII. The start is rather slow, introducing all characters in great detail. Thereafter it becomes rather interesting. The children of the orphanage are so likable and the stories around other nurses and staff members are interesting as well. Revealing the division of society in different wealth classes and struggles of making a living for lower class families. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I am eager to read on of the sequels.
April 10, 2023
I've recently become a big fan of Cathy Sharp's work and although I felt more attached to the characters in the Children in the Workhouse series, it's undeniable that Sharp has a way at making you see the best in characters (this book included) - even the ones who do wrong/aren't initially portrayed in a good light.
Billy and Mary-Ellen's friendship is one of the sweetest things ever, and their protective and innocent nature over each other made you want nothing but the best for both of them.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
5🌟
Billy and Mary-Ellen's friendship is one of the sweetest things ever, and their protective and innocent nature over each other made you want nothing but the best for both of them.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
5🌟
January 13, 2019
T his book started out slow for me. The author does a lot of explaining in the begining.when the story starts to take off she has done it justice. The chacters are well. Devloped. She gave the children such great personality well developed
The writing is spot on .I have laughed at little Billy but I cried over maryellen.such a hard life but I'm all a wonderful story
The writing is spot on .I have laughed at little Billy but I cried over maryellen.such a hard life but I'm all a wonderful story
August 7, 2025
I was a little disappointed with this book. I was hoping for something more like Catherine Cookson but it just didn't do it for me. The writing was too repetative and the story too long at 500 pages. I did like the child characters of Mary Ellen and Billy Baggins although I didn't imagine them to look like the kids on the cover of the book!
May 12, 2017
Absolutely 'Five Stars'!!
This book was filled with so much love and caring. This author really 'hit the nail on the head'!! So much adventure, suspense, and excitement filled all the pages.
This book was filled with so much love and caring. This author really 'hit the nail on the head'!! So much adventure, suspense, and excitement filled all the pages.
May 16, 2017
So good I read in one day/ night!
Over loaded with repition, which is my favorite buh-a-boo! However the story was well written and accurate historically! Thank you.....on to the nexr
Over loaded with repition, which is my favorite buh-a-boo! However the story was well written and accurate historically! Thank you.....on to the nexr
April 22, 2018
An excellent book well thought out story about St Saviours and the children and staff,this is a very touching book about the children of the east end of london that come through the door.I can highly recomend this book and its earned 5*
February 23, 2019
A heart warming novel.
A lovely story about friendship loyalty and heartbreak. To see the story unfold from a child’s perspective was magical. First time I’ve read books by this author and it will definitely be my next purchase.
A lovely story about friendship loyalty and heartbreak. To see the story unfold from a child’s perspective was magical. First time I’ve read books by this author and it will definitely be my next purchase.
June 28, 2023
I loved every single word in this book. I loved the writer's style of writing. So easy to read and dive in. I liked the fact that there are a lot of different characters and each character has it's own story. This is my first time reading to this author and i loved the experience.
May 21, 2017
I thought it was a great book. I couldn't put it down and enjoyed every page. I wouldn't mind reading a continuation of this book.
June 15, 2017
Good story
There were boring parts where I had to just skip over but the rest was a good story. I would recommend reading the next box.
There were boring parts where I had to just skip over but the rest was a good story. I would recommend reading the next box.
October 21, 2017
Loved the mix of adult and child characters especially Billy and Mary Ellen
November 4, 2018
This story was enjoyable.
March 3, 2019
A thoroughly good book
I really enjoyed this book and I'm going to read another one in the series Christmas for the Halfpenny Orphans
I really enjoyed this book and I'm going to read another one in the series Christmas for the Halfpenny Orphans
March 22, 2020
Really enjoyed the story and loved the characters. Can't wait to read the next one!
July 10, 2020
I enjoyed the first book but at 10$ each I'm giving the series a miss.
October 18, 2020
Started out slow but ends up being a very enjoyable book of post war orphaned children and the people around them.
Looking forward to reading book 2.
Looking forward to reading book 2.
May 18, 2021
Lovely, nostalgic story with charming characters and realistic setting. Makes you realise how hard times were just a short time ago. Enjoyed.
May 30, 2022
Great story. Love Cathy Sharp. She makes the stories so that you cannot put down the book.
October 5, 2022
A bit disappointed it didn't draw me in as I hoped it would. Will try one more
May 14, 2025
A very heartwarming book. Made me cry in places but that shows how well it was written.
March 2, 2026
it was a touching story, but I felt the editing could have been toughy up a bit. the story has a strong beginning but then tends to wander a bit in the middle.
February 19, 2017
Really loved all the different characters and how their stories came out. Can't wait to read the next book in the series
January 2, 2016
I'm a bit bummed that I spent my hard-earned Dymocks points on this book and that my first book of the year is such a letdown.
It sounded like a sweet, easy read set in the East End of London post WWII but for me it was a struggle. I found the child characters to be overly mature for the age in terms of speech and knowledge. The adult characters spoke long, boring speeches that were 'info dumping' and not realistic in terms of speech. I also had an issue with the some of the medical information - it lacked knowledge. Sally and Michelle were characters I took an instant shine to, but unfortunately they were not enough for me to continue this book. It's a great idea for a book, but I just found it boring and lacking in spirit.
It sounded like a sweet, easy read set in the East End of London post WWII but for me it was a struggle. I found the child characters to be overly mature for the age in terms of speech and knowledge. The adult characters spoke long, boring speeches that were 'info dumping' and not realistic in terms of speech. I also had an issue with the some of the medical information - it lacked knowledge. Sally and Michelle were characters I took an instant shine to, but unfortunately they were not enough for me to continue this book. It's a great idea for a book, but I just found it boring and lacking in spirit.
January 18, 2016
What a great book, described on here as Call the Midwife/Dr Barnardos this is a spot on description. Characters that you truly about. Looking forward to more books in this series. A new author that I'm sure with become a firm favourite.
February 29, 2016
This
This book was so very interesting. I had never before given a thought about the children left behind after the war. The devastation in England was so extensive. MS. Sharp gives the characters such intriguing lives.
This book was so very interesting. I had never before given a thought about the children left behind after the war. The devastation in England was so extensive. MS. Sharp gives the characters such intriguing lives.
May 9, 2016
A very good read
Wonderful book love the author The story kept me picking the book up and not wanting to put it down a recommended read but do not start it if you have something to do hard to out down
Wonderful book love the author The story kept me picking the book up and not wanting to put it down a recommended read but do not start it if you have something to do hard to out down
June 10, 2016
Happiness does happen
I would recommend this book as a perfect rainy night, or day, read. While it does become a bit predictable towards the end , the author has done a great job of developing the characters. From what I have read, the infot
I would recommend this book as a perfect rainy night, or day, read. While it does become a bit predictable towards the end , the author has done a great job of developing the characters. From what I have read, the infot
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews