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Cammie #3
The Family Way
Set in 1930 and based on true events, this middle-grade novel explores family secrets, set at the Ideal Maternity Home.
Tulia May lives in rural Nova Scotia with her mother, who works in the laundry of the nearby Ideal Maternity Home. It's a place where unwed mothers can discreetly give birth, a place where adoptions by rich Americans can be quickly arranged. Tulia doesn't think about the workings of the home much; mostly she hates being roped in to helping scrub the endless diapers. Her friend Finny Paul has suspicions that the home is holding sinister secrets—the worst being that unadoptable babies are being buried in butterboxes—but Tulia thinks he's being ridiculous. When Tulia's sister Becky ends up in the home, Tulia truly starts to consider Finny's concerns. And when she and Finny discover what's really going on there, she knows she has to act quickly to keep Becky's baby safe.
Based on the true story of the Ideal Maternity Home, and its tragic Butterbox Babies, The Family Way is a thoughtful and engaging exploration of family and of Nova Scotia's history. A stand-alone middle-grade novel, it also serves as a prequel to the critically acclaimed Cammie novels, Flying With a Broken Wing and Cammie Takes Flight.
Tulia May lives in rural Nova Scotia with her mother, who works in the laundry of the nearby Ideal Maternity Home. It's a place where unwed mothers can discreetly give birth, a place where adoptions by rich Americans can be quickly arranged. Tulia doesn't think about the workings of the home much; mostly she hates being roped in to helping scrub the endless diapers. Her friend Finny Paul has suspicions that the home is holding sinister secrets—the worst being that unadoptable babies are being buried in butterboxes—but Tulia thinks he's being ridiculous. When Tulia's sister Becky ends up in the home, Tulia truly starts to consider Finny's concerns. And when she and Finny discover what's really going on there, she knows she has to act quickly to keep Becky's baby safe.
Based on the true story of the Ideal Maternity Home, and its tragic Butterbox Babies, The Family Way is a thoughtful and engaging exploration of family and of Nova Scotia's history. A stand-alone middle-grade novel, it also serves as a prequel to the critically acclaimed Cammie novels, Flying With a Broken Wing and Cammie Takes Flight.
232 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 12, 2021
This much-anticipated prequel to the popular Cammie stories did not disappoint. Even if you have not read the other books, this story stands alone very well. The fact that the story is based on a tragic part of Canada's history, makes it even more intriguing. The writing is so engaging, I felt transported back to the days of the start of WWII.
Like Lucy Maude Montgomery, Laura Best knows how to write an awesome story from the point of view of a young person. Tulia May is a delightful character who tells it like it is. She is a twelve-year-old seeking independence, a young girl who wants to do what's right. She is wise beyond her years, as is often the case of the youngest of a large family. She says, "I understand that sometimes you do things not because they're the right thing to do, you do them because sometimes you have no other choice." Tulia, I couldn't agree more!
I loved Tulia May but there are many other appealing characters in this story as well like Tulia's mother, a widow who raised a number of children and is struggling to make ends meet. And Finny Paul, a First Nations boy who faces overt racism. And the delightful Millie Turple who arrives in a tizzy and takes the world on by storm.
This book kept me guessing until the end, and then I wanted to read it all over again. I wish there were more than 5 stars for this book.
Like Lucy Maude Montgomery, Laura Best knows how to write an awesome story from the point of view of a young person. Tulia May is a delightful character who tells it like it is. She is a twelve-year-old seeking independence, a young girl who wants to do what's right. She is wise beyond her years, as is often the case of the youngest of a large family. She says, "I understand that sometimes you do things not because they're the right thing to do, you do them because sometimes you have no other choice." Tulia, I couldn't agree more!
I loved Tulia May but there are many other appealing characters in this story as well like Tulia's mother, a widow who raised a number of children and is struggling to make ends meet. And Finny Paul, a First Nations boy who faces overt racism. And the delightful Millie Turple who arrives in a tizzy and takes the world on by storm.
This book kept me guessing until the end, and then I wanted to read it all over again. I wish there were more than 5 stars for this book.
January 4, 2021
When was the last time you finished a book, and immediately started reading it again? I've read a lot of great books in my day, and this is something I've only done once: Laura Best's The Family Way wins the prize. I can soundly say this is the most captivating novel I have ever read. As soon as I was finished, I wanted to take the journey again.
This is a prequel novel, but also works wonderfully as a stand-alone, for those who aren't familiar with previously released Flying With A Broken Wing and Cammie Takes Flight. Moreover, technically classified as a middle-grade novel, The Family Way will appeal to adult readers as well. Best has a unique ability to write in a manner that is appropriate for young and old, alike. The story, setting, and dialogue feel so genuine, this is truly a for-all-ages book, middle-grade readers and up.
The Family Way is largely set at and centred around the Ideal Maternity Home - a place which really did exist. I've read non-fiction accounts of the Home before. Thoroughly fascinating. What makes The Family Way so special is that it tells the story of the Ideal Maternity Home from a personal, though fictionalized, point-of-view. What an incredible way to take in history. It offers heart and soul. Instead of a clinical, dates-and-facts type study, The Family Way transports the reader there. It adds feeling, emotion, the human experience element. I absolutely loved it.
Yes, this novel can "stand alone", but I must strongly suggest reading Flying With A Broken Wing and Cammie Takes Flight to get the full experience. Reading The Family Way is akin to puzzle pieces falling into place, one-by-one, until a full picture emerges. It completes the story of Cammie explored in the first two novels, in such a satisfying way. "I began with so many unanswered questions and what I eventually ended up discovering was a secret that even I didn't see coming." - Laura Best's words, not mine. But I do certainly share the sentiment.
A beautifully written novel; a tremendously heart-felt tale. So highly, highly recommended. One of my favourite novels of all time.
This is a prequel novel, but also works wonderfully as a stand-alone, for those who aren't familiar with previously released Flying With A Broken Wing and Cammie Takes Flight. Moreover, technically classified as a middle-grade novel, The Family Way will appeal to adult readers as well. Best has a unique ability to write in a manner that is appropriate for young and old, alike. The story, setting, and dialogue feel so genuine, this is truly a for-all-ages book, middle-grade readers and up.
The Family Way is largely set at and centred around the Ideal Maternity Home - a place which really did exist. I've read non-fiction accounts of the Home before. Thoroughly fascinating. What makes The Family Way so special is that it tells the story of the Ideal Maternity Home from a personal, though fictionalized, point-of-view. What an incredible way to take in history. It offers heart and soul. Instead of a clinical, dates-and-facts type study, The Family Way transports the reader there. It adds feeling, emotion, the human experience element. I absolutely loved it.
Yes, this novel can "stand alone", but I must strongly suggest reading Flying With A Broken Wing and Cammie Takes Flight to get the full experience. Reading The Family Way is akin to puzzle pieces falling into place, one-by-one, until a full picture emerges. It completes the story of Cammie explored in the first two novels, in such a satisfying way. "I began with so many unanswered questions and what I eventually ended up discovering was a secret that even I didn't see coming." - Laura Best's words, not mine. But I do certainly share the sentiment.
A beautifully written novel; a tremendously heart-felt tale. So highly, highly recommended. One of my favourite novels of all time.
March 27, 2025
I didn't know this when I picked it up, but this is the prequel to the author's Cammie books. I haven't read them. After reading this, I'm interested in doing so. Beyond that, I did just want to note that this stands on its own well.
The Family Way is set in 1939 and 1940 and follows a young girl whose mother works in the laundry at the Ideal Maternity Home in Nova Scotia, a notorious place that would be revealed to be run by people who were abusive, allowed women and babies to die, and trafficked babies. The story focuses on Tulia's day to day life, whether she is helping her mother at work, listening to her friend Finny be suspicious about the home, or scrapbooking the lives of the Dionne quintuplets. As the story progresses we also see concerns shift from the financial concerns of the Great Depression to the beginning of WWII. In a lot of ways, it is a great slice of life book that deals with a lot of what was happening in Canada and the world at the time through the eyes of a 12-13yo Tulia. Throughout all of this, Tulia's own sister ends up in the home, heightening the concerns and the urgency.
I enjoyed the voice of the character as well as the historical details that never seem too dense through the eyes of a child. It deals with difficult issues with a lot of sensitivity. I will say that I wasn't keen on how Finny's Indigenous identity was only ever relevant due to racism, but since he seemed to be largely living outside of his culture and was a side character I think it would have been weird for the white author to put too much else into his identity. I also think that the note at the beginning on the racism he experienced was well placed. I do wish the ending had been longer, but I also get that this was a middle grade novel and I get that it can't be too drawn out.
Overall, I think this was a really well done book and one I would recommend. I think I would have loved this as a kid. I look forward to reading the Cammie books at some point too after this.
The Family Way is set in 1939 and 1940 and follows a young girl whose mother works in the laundry at the Ideal Maternity Home in Nova Scotia, a notorious place that would be revealed to be run by people who were abusive, allowed women and babies to die, and trafficked babies. The story focuses on Tulia's day to day life, whether she is helping her mother at work, listening to her friend Finny be suspicious about the home, or scrapbooking the lives of the Dionne quintuplets. As the story progresses we also see concerns shift from the financial concerns of the Great Depression to the beginning of WWII. In a lot of ways, it is a great slice of life book that deals with a lot of what was happening in Canada and the world at the time through the eyes of a 12-13yo Tulia. Throughout all of this, Tulia's own sister ends up in the home, heightening the concerns and the urgency.
I enjoyed the voice of the character as well as the historical details that never seem too dense through the eyes of a child. It deals with difficult issues with a lot of sensitivity. I will say that I wasn't keen on how Finny's Indigenous identity was only ever relevant due to racism, but since he seemed to be largely living outside of his culture and was a side character I think it would have been weird for the white author to put too much else into his identity. I also think that the note at the beginning on the racism he experienced was well placed. I do wish the ending had been longer, but I also get that this was a middle grade novel and I get that it can't be too drawn out.
Overall, I think this was a really well done book and one I would recommend. I think I would have loved this as a kid. I look forward to reading the Cammie books at some point too after this.
January 8, 2022
Wow. What an ending! Great story!
January 18, 2021
The Family Way is a middle-grade, historical fiction, novel based on the true Nova Scotia tragic story of the Ideal Maternity Home, a home for unwed mothers and the babies who died there and were buried in wooded boxes from a local dairy and called ‘The Butterbox Babies’.
This was the first book I have read by Laura Best and I was impressed with the attention to detail of the very real events, interests, and concerns going on during the time this book was set. Middle graders that read this will get an accurate picture of what it was like to be a 12 year old in 1939-40 in Nova Scotia. Tulia the main character was just like many other 12-year-olds girls during that time period, collecting pictures and following the news of the Dionne quintuplets, listening and worrying about the news of Hitler and war overseas, watching as family members enlisted, buying war stamps, and knitting socks & scarves for the war effort. Although it says this book is for 9-13 years old I think that it should say for ages 9 and up, as I think young adults and adults will truly like and appreciate this book.
Tulia lives in East Chester, just up the road from the Ideal Maternity Home, which is the main focus of the story. The Family Way touches on some of the very real and tragic occurrences that happened in the home to both the unwed mothers and their babies. With Tulia helping her Mother in the laundry and then her sister becoming a temporary resident of the home- we get a fictional look at what could have been.
I don’t want to give anything away, but I did find the ending a bit rushed and had to go back and reread it to ensure I didn’t miss anything. Whether this was because the actual storyline was rushed or it was just me rushing through to see what happened, I’m not entirely sure. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Nova Scotia history young or old.
This was the first book I have read by Laura Best and I was impressed with the attention to detail of the very real events, interests, and concerns going on during the time this book was set. Middle graders that read this will get an accurate picture of what it was like to be a 12 year old in 1939-40 in Nova Scotia. Tulia the main character was just like many other 12-year-olds girls during that time period, collecting pictures and following the news of the Dionne quintuplets, listening and worrying about the news of Hitler and war overseas, watching as family members enlisted, buying war stamps, and knitting socks & scarves for the war effort. Although it says this book is for 9-13 years old I think that it should say for ages 9 and up, as I think young adults and adults will truly like and appreciate this book.
Tulia lives in East Chester, just up the road from the Ideal Maternity Home, which is the main focus of the story. The Family Way touches on some of the very real and tragic occurrences that happened in the home to both the unwed mothers and their babies. With Tulia helping her Mother in the laundry and then her sister becoming a temporary resident of the home- we get a fictional look at what could have been.
I don’t want to give anything away, but I did find the ending a bit rushed and had to go back and reread it to ensure I didn’t miss anything. Whether this was because the actual storyline was rushed or it was just me rushing through to see what happened, I’m not entirely sure. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Nova Scotia history young or old.
September 14, 2021
This novel does a impressive job of vividly illustrating life in rural Nova Scotia in the early 1940s, through the eyes of a young girl. The author doesn't shy away from illustrating rampant racism, poverty, sexism, or the desperation of unwed mothers, but manages to critique these things in the voice of someone who has grown up with that and is only beginning to question it. Similarly, the horrors of the real-life Ideal Maternity Home are presented in a context that explains why the home operated for so long. The local supporters' awareness of the jobs the home brought to the area is not unlike contemporary defences of harmful projects because jobs.
The plot comes together deceptively quickly. The climax is a tad rushed, and the secret revealed would be a cheat if the author had not already established a loose chronological narrative style. I found myself wanting to know more, but this a prequel to other, already published stories. Although the novel works well as a standalone story, I suspect the reading experience would be different if you knew the other stories (and I'm keen to read those, from what I read here).
The plot comes together deceptively quickly. The climax is a tad rushed, and the secret revealed would be a cheat if the author had not already established a loose chronological narrative style. I found myself wanting to know more, but this a prequel to other, already published stories. Although the novel works well as a standalone story, I suspect the reading experience would be different if you knew the other stories (and I'm keen to read those, from what I read here).
June 15, 2022
Very good read. Easy to follow, once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. Definitely made me want to read more by the author
November 3, 2024
Ha-ha, I have a book dedicated to me and you don't!
I read this so long ago that I forgot like everything about it so I will write a genuine review for it after I do so
I read this so long ago that I forgot like everything about it so I will write a genuine review for it after I do so
July 2, 2022
This title is nominated for the 2023 Hackmatack Award in the English Fiction category. This is another historical fiction story, based on the true story of the Ideal Maternity home based in East Chester, Nova Scotia from the 1920s to the 1940s. Our protagonist, Tulia May, at twelve years old is the youngest and only child left at home with her mother. Her father passed away when she was very small, and her mother went to work at the local maternity home. Tulia May's friend Finny Paul is convinced that there is something sinister going on at the home, but Tulia May doesn't want to think about that. After all, her mother's job at the home supports their family, what would happen to them if the home closed? Then Tulia May's sister Becky ends up in a mess and goes to stay at the maternity home, and she is forced to think about what is going on there.
I have to say, the twist at the end had me pretty confused until I talked it through with a friend. I think that if I had more familiarity or a better understanding of the whole 'butterbox baby' scandal I probably would have connected the dots sooner. It was difficult to read about the kids discovering the body of a dead baby in the shed, but I appreciate that it wasn't describe in a gruesome or deliberately disturbing way. I would probably recommend this to kids who are interested in scary stories because it isn't written to be spooky but it does talk a lot about dead babies.
I have to say, the twist at the end had me pretty confused until I talked it through with a friend. I think that if I had more familiarity or a better understanding of the whole 'butterbox baby' scandal I probably would have connected the dots sooner. It was difficult to read about the kids discovering the body of a dead baby in the shed, but I appreciate that it wasn't describe in a gruesome or deliberately disturbing way. I would probably recommend this to kids who are interested in scary stories because it isn't written to be spooky but it does talk a lot about dead babies.
November 3, 2021
This is the kind of story you wish could not possibly be true, but based on known facts it is a remarkable and stirring historical fiction. In a little community in rural Nova Scotia there was a maternity home where unwed women could deliver their babies in privacy and anonymity. The babies were said to be adopted out, but many died soon after birth.
Tulia May's friend, Finny Paul, keeps telling her his suspicions of too many babies mysteriously dying and being buried near the Ideal Maternity Home. She doesn't want to believe him and, since her mother works there, she doesn't want to make trouble. When they see things they are afraid to tell, and then when her own sister has to go there, Tulia begins trying to find out if Finny's talk can be true.
This is such a fabulously written book, the story based on the dark history of a maternity home that operated for 40 years. For anyone who has heard of the "Butterbox Babies", this is where the term came from - babies who were buried in butter boxes. Laura Best has written a touching and captivating story that can be the prequel to her Cammie novels, or it is strong all on its own.
Tulia May's friend, Finny Paul, keeps telling her his suspicions of too many babies mysteriously dying and being buried near the Ideal Maternity Home. She doesn't want to believe him and, since her mother works there, she doesn't want to make trouble. When they see things they are afraid to tell, and then when her own sister has to go there, Tulia begins trying to find out if Finny's talk can be true.
This is such a fabulously written book, the story based on the dark history of a maternity home that operated for 40 years. For anyone who has heard of the "Butterbox Babies", this is where the term came from - babies who were buried in butter boxes. Laura Best has written a touching and captivating story that can be the prequel to her Cammie novels, or it is strong all on its own.
December 17, 2022
This was a struggle, majorly, I kept picking it up and putting it down and I feel as though nothing was tuned to the target audience here. There's plenty of great historical fiction from this era and area for middle grade out there, and I can't help but feel like this needed something to thread through that wasn't the idea that it was a prequel to give it some kind of structure. The slow pace of this is what sticks out to me the most, I struggled getting anywhere into it even towards the end, and it felt like there were just anecdotes instead of an actual plot at moments. I'd in no way call this one a standalone, it's very obvious that this is set up to be a prequel to something, but I think my largest problem is how much it meanders and doesn't really say anything. There's no plot thread, things just sort of happen to and around Tulia, there's not a clear enough direction. I did enjoy that this touched on something I didn't know about, however it needed more to grip the reader and felt solely like it was for readers of Best's other books to complete a story arc.
March 6, 2024
Julia's review:
This book follows Tulia, a young girl who works with her mom in a maternity house for women who have babies but are not married. These babies are adopted but some unfortunately die due to unique circumstances. When Tulia meets a young woman named Margret, her life changes forever.
This book is set in rural Nova Scotia in a place called East Chester in the late 1930 to 1940. The setting of this book was very vivid and although I have never been to rural Nova Scotia, I could see everything about the small community in the story.
This book is a prequel to Flying With A Broken Wing by Laura Best and Cammie Takes Flight because we find out what has happened to Cammie before everything happened.
I found this book extremely interesting not only because I got to find out about Cammie’s past but also because in one of my classes in school we are learning about butter box babies. I also thought that the history of it was very interesting!
This book follows Tulia, a young girl who works with her mom in a maternity house for women who have babies but are not married. These babies are adopted but some unfortunately die due to unique circumstances. When Tulia meets a young woman named Margret, her life changes forever.
This book is set in rural Nova Scotia in a place called East Chester in the late 1930 to 1940. The setting of this book was very vivid and although I have never been to rural Nova Scotia, I could see everything about the small community in the story.
This book is a prequel to Flying With A Broken Wing by Laura Best and Cammie Takes Flight because we find out what has happened to Cammie before everything happened.
I found this book extremely interesting not only because I got to find out about Cammie’s past but also because in one of my classes in school we are learning about butter box babies. I also thought that the history of it was very interesting!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2025
Tulia doesn't want to believe what her friend keeps telling her. Insisting that place is mo good. She spent time there helping her Mom with cleaning. Everyone was so nice, wouldn't hurt to look around a little would it?
November 14, 2021
Loved it!!! What a great ending!!!
October 8, 2022
A fictional story that touches on the stigma of unwed mothers and the reality of the outcome of the butter box babies that yet manages to have hope.
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