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The Inconvenient Child: The True Life Story of an Abandoned Australian Childs Struggle to Survive an Abusive Childhood and Journey to Find Her African American Father
An abandoned Australian child struggles to survive and find her American father. An unacceptable liaison, a secret birth, a mother's silence, and her black child's journey to discover the truth... It is 1948, Sydney, Australia. Pretty, blonde Grace discovers she is pregnant to a black merchant marine who has sailed back to America. The White Australia Policy is in place and society's judgment matters; so what will Grace do with this baby? This is the true story of the inconvenient child. Rescued from neglectful foster care by an American champion boxer, the baby is taken to live in a party house in Sydney's red light district of Kings Cross. Her absent, elegant mother then abandons Sharyn in a convent-orphanage, at age five. By fifteen, discrimination within her family, resentment and clashes over her father's undisclosed identity see the troubled teenager running away to the streets of Kings Cross where she's arrested and sentenced to notorious juvenile detention centers. Sharyn's solace is her love of music but can she realize her dream to become a singer if, by twenty-four, she is trapped in the Kings Cross lifestyle? Determined to find her father, Sharyn sets out in search of her roots, a quest taking her across the world and eventually to America's Deep South. But will she find the loving family and belonging she has yearned for all her life?
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2016
393 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 9, 2025
Great story, thoroughly enjoyed the first half. Does get a bit repetitive towards the second half.
November 26, 2025
Heartbreaking
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The parts that spoke of her childhood and all the abuse she suffered was truly heartbreaking but resilience make your triumphs that much better.
The arrogance of white privilege is a very hard pill to swallow and the unnecessary neglect and abuse of innocent children is shameful.
I am so proud of Sharyn Killens and all she achieved and finally recognized as her PROUD accomplishments.
Excellent book and worth the read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The parts that spoke of her childhood and all the abuse she suffered was truly heartbreaking but resilience make your triumphs that much better.
The arrogance of white privilege is a very hard pill to swallow and the unnecessary neglect and abuse of innocent children is shameful.
I am so proud of Sharyn Killens and all she achieved and finally recognized as her PROUD accomplishments.
Excellent book and worth the read.
November 25, 2025
Great Book
I enjoyed the book from start to finish. The details of Sharyn's life were very detailed, it made you feel like you were right there with her. I am not sure why Grace did not give her up for adoption or why she would not give her ,her fathers info has they would have loved her. I was disappointed that even on her death bed Grace did not show that she very loved her daughter.
I enjoyed the book from start to finish. The details of Sharyn's life were very detailed, it made you feel like you were right there with her. I am not sure why Grace did not give her up for adoption or why she would not give her ,her fathers info has they would have loved her. I was disappointed that even on her death bed Grace did not show that she very loved her daughter.
October 3, 2025
I beautiful story however in several parts it was so repetitive. I was able to skip pages throughout and never felt like I missed anything.
September 29, 2025
Astonishing
At times, I feel that disconnect from my mom also. I don't understand it, but I felt that because she had me soo young that I took away her childhood. I believe that she feels indifferent to me.I now know that sometimes parents are who they are. It has nothing to do with you, but sometimes they see you as stain in their life. In order to keep her peace, I believe that the author did the right thing when it came to her princess mom. I'm doing the same thing with my family. I refuse to keep being mistreated and made to feel bad or treat like I'm at fault. I really love this story. I'm sure this will help others as it has helped me. Thank you for being brave enough to tell your story.
At times, I feel that disconnect from my mom also. I don't understand it, but I felt that because she had me soo young that I took away her childhood. I believe that she feels indifferent to me.I now know that sometimes parents are who they are. It has nothing to do with you, but sometimes they see you as stain in their life. In order to keep her peace, I believe that the author did the right thing when it came to her princess mom. I'm doing the same thing with my family. I refuse to keep being mistreated and made to feel bad or treat like I'm at fault. I really love this story. I'm sure this will help others as it has helped me. Thank you for being brave enough to tell your story.
September 9, 2021
A Life Triumphant Against the Odds
This is a story of Australia post-WWII - narrow bigotry, twisted nuns, an abusive juvenile “justice”/child “protection system - a damaged mother and maternal grand-mother - a few good folk, a talent for singing - and the key at last - grudgingly offered up by the mother - the name of our story-teller’s US Merchant Marine father. A tale of redemptive proportions…the reader cannot but be moved! Highly recommended!
This is a story of Australia post-WWII - narrow bigotry, twisted nuns, an abusive juvenile “justice”/child “protection system - a damaged mother and maternal grand-mother - a few good folk, a talent for singing - and the key at last - grudgingly offered up by the mother - the name of our story-teller’s US Merchant Marine father. A tale of redemptive proportions…the reader cannot but be moved! Highly recommended!
September 25, 2025
WOW......
..........what a beautiful and sad book...I think I cried all the way through but I also smiled. A book that I just couldn't put down. It's 0300 hours and I've finished and need to sleep but this book will remain in my head for a long time to come. A simply must read.
..........what a beautiful and sad book...I think I cried all the way through but I also smiled. A book that I just couldn't put down. It's 0300 hours and I've finished and need to sleep but this book will remain in my head for a long time to come. A simply must read.
November 8, 2025
Such strength and determination
The true story of a black child raised in white Australia. The child was not wanted and considered an inconvenience. She was smart, talented, and focused but her mother could not recognize her strengths until she died. What a hard story but worth every minute!
The true story of a black child raised in white Australia. The child was not wanted and considered an inconvenience. She was smart, talented, and focused but her mother could not recognize her strengths until she died. What a hard story but worth every minute!
December 30, 2025
the inconvenient child
A great but painful read. What should be fiction is the life of someone for real. When you read this knowing it is real and factual it affects all of the emotions. But to God be the glory she overcame what might have left others devastated unable to carry on even if they continue to live
A great but painful read. What should be fiction is the life of someone for real. When you read this knowing it is real and factual it affects all of the emotions. But to God be the glory she overcame what might have left others devastated unable to carry on even if they continue to live
April 13, 2021
Emotion overload. Wow. The struggle poor Sharyn went through was heartbreaking.
I'm pleased she eventually was reunited with her black family and found true love and felt wanted like she always should have. Shame on her Princess mummy...
I'm pleased she eventually was reunited with her black family and found true love and felt wanted like she always should have. Shame on her Princess mummy...
October 29, 2025
A beautiful human
I have never read such a heartbreaking story with such a beautiful and wonderful ending,, I can’t imagine the pain and loneliness this lady has gone through and survived..God bless her and her family and my heart bleeds for her..
I have never read such a heartbreaking story with such a beautiful and wonderful ending,, I can’t imagine the pain and loneliness this lady has gone through and survived..God bless her and her family and my heart bleeds for her..
January 5, 2026
Redeemed! Great Story!
What she went through was horrible and traumatic. I am glad that beauty came out of her ashes. What a great story of determination, miracle-working power and redemption. What was meant for evil, God turned around for good.
What she went through was horrible and traumatic. I am glad that beauty came out of her ashes. What a great story of determination, miracle-working power and redemption. What was meant for evil, God turned around for good.
October 3, 2025
excellent
I loved that discrimination did not win. Just wish she had made her final decision with her mother very early on. So proud of her for speaking out.
I loved that discrimination did not win. Just wish she had made her final decision with her mother very early on. So proud of her for speaking out.
November 2, 2025
Gosh
What a heartwarming, yet sad, happy story. I could myself relate to being the Inconvenient Child. It's an amazing true story of love over adversity
What a heartwarming, yet sad, happy story. I could myself relate to being the Inconvenient Child. It's an amazing true story of love over adversity
November 18, 2025
what a read
This is definitely a can’t put down book. I am so happy Sharyn got her happy ever after. She definitely deserves it.
This is definitely a can’t put down book. I am so happy Sharyn got her happy ever after. She definitely deserves it.
January 2, 2026
Heartbreaking but amazing memoir.
January 3, 2026
Very inspirational true story
Very inspirational true story. I enjoyed reading this book learning about how it is to be black in Australia in a time when racism was happening.
Very inspirational true story. I enjoyed reading this book learning about how it is to be black in Australia in a time when racism was happening.
January 6, 2026
Very good story - well written !
January 22, 2026
Sad story. A little repetitive.
April 12, 2016
Family
I loved this book not only because it was one of my relatives struggle to find our family but it also had a strong message about the black persons struggle to find their heritage in America where their information is often loss or hidden, Thank you God for letting Sharyn find our family.
I loved this book not only because it was one of my relatives struggle to find our family but it also had a strong message about the black persons struggle to find their heritage in America where their information is often loss or hidden, Thank you God for letting Sharyn find our family.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews