What do you think?
Rate this book
The Boy from Baby House 10: From the Nightmare of a Russian Orphanage to a New Life in America
In 1990, a young boy afflicted with cerebral palsy was born, prematurely, in Russia. His name was Vanya. His mother abandoned him to the state childcare system and he was sent to a bleak orphanage called Baby House 10. Once there, he entered a nightmare world he was not to leave for more than eight years. Housed in a ward with a group of other children, he was clothed in rags, ignored by most of the staff and given little, if any, medical treatment. He was finally, and cruelly, confined for a time to a mental asylum where he lived, almost caged, lying in a pool of his own waste on a locked ward surrounded by psychotic adults. But, that didn’t stop Vanya.
Even in these harsh conditions, he grew into a smart and persistent young boy who reached out to everyone around him. Two of those he reached out to—Sarah Philps, the wife of a British journalist, and Vika, a young Russian woman—realized that Vanya was no ordinary child and they began a campaign to find him a home. After many twists and turns, Vanya came to the attention of a single woman living in the United States named Paula Lahutsky. After a lot of red tape and more than one miracle, Paula adopted Vanya and brought him to the U.S. where he is now known as John Lahutsky, an honors student at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and a member of the Boy Scouts of America Order of the Arrow.
In The Boy From Baby House 10, Sarah’s husband, Alan Philps, helps John Lahutsky bring this inspiring true-life story of a small boy with a big heart and an unquenchable will to readers everywhere.
Even in these harsh conditions, he grew into a smart and persistent young boy who reached out to everyone around him. Two of those he reached out to—Sarah Philps, the wife of a British journalist, and Vika, a young Russian woman—realized that Vanya was no ordinary child and they began a campaign to find him a home. After many twists and turns, Vanya came to the attention of a single woman living in the United States named Paula Lahutsky. After a lot of red tape and more than one miracle, Paula adopted Vanya and brought him to the U.S. where he is now known as John Lahutsky, an honors student at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and a member of the Boy Scouts of America Order of the Arrow.
In The Boy From Baby House 10, Sarah’s husband, Alan Philps, helps John Lahutsky bring this inspiring true-life story of a small boy with a big heart and an unquenchable will to readers everywhere.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2009
32 people are currently reading
1022 people want to read
About the author
Alan Philps
5 books9 followersAlan Philps is a writer, editor and journalist. He has held senior editorial roles with several newspapers and magazines, including as a correspondent for Reuters, then The Sunday Correspondent, Foreign Editor for the Daily Telegraph, Contributing Editor for The National and most recently as Editor of The World Today. He is co-author, with John Lahutsky, of The Boy from Baby House 10. Prior to his journalistic career, Philps studied Arabic and Persian at the University of Oxford.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
May 25, 2013
This book is very hard for me to read. Very sad. I was in a bad orphanage in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. At almost 5 years old I was the size of a 1 year old and developmentally, how sad! I thank the Good Lord I don't remember it! So blessed to be here in America with my loving family!! :)
November 29, 2018
Wat een ontzettend schrijnende toestanden waarmee vermeende oligofrenen in de Sovjet-Unie geconfronteerd werden. Bureaucratie, communisme, corruptie,... versus een aantal liefdevolle strijdende vrouwen.
Dit boek is literair niet super naar mijn mening, maar dit verhaal en dat van vele andere onschuldige hulpbehoevende kinderen moest verteld worden.
Dit boek is literair niet super naar mijn mening, maar dit verhaal en dat van vele andere onschuldige hulpbehoevende kinderen moest verteld worden.
December 9, 2014
As a mother of adopted children, I was actually shocked to read of the horrific conditions Vanya endured in Russia, after the time I had adopted my children. How could things like these happen in the 1990's? This is a book about hope and resilience and happy endings for some, but it was a very emotionally heavy story. I read it in one sitting as I could not put it down. I was recently in Russia this summer (Murmansk) and was dismayed at the horrible conditions there, in this age; and to realize that Russia apparently has not improved today is very sad and, frankly, disgusting. How John/ Vanya survived his life in Russia is truly a testament to the human spirit. He is a very intelligent, articulate, friendly boy, who overcame so much. I would love to meet him. The conditions in Baby House 10 and the mental institution for adults that he was sent to, were deplorable and almost unbelievable. The children were not stimulated at all, rarely touched, rarely spoken to, barely fed, almost never taken outside the room they lived in, and not outside. The people who worked so tirelessly to rescue John, and those still advocating for children in Russia like him, are true angels. I recommend this book, especially to those interested in adoption, particularly from Russia. Wow, this story will stay with me for a long long time.
May 31, 2023
This is the excruciating journey of an innocent child trapped in a unscrupulous and ignorant system finding his mother. The ultimate example of a brutal self-fulfilling prophecy by a defective and corrupt government, essentially assigning birth defects to infants and dooming them for a life of inequality and injustice. A true miracle that any child’s spirit could be left unbroken after such journey. I felt like the narration changed point of view throughout the book so I got lost in the storyline and dialogue. The style of writing was difficult for me at as it felt like at times I had walked into a room of people having a conversation and I couldn’t fill in the missing pieces of information.
August 19, 2012
As an adoptive mom of a child who lived in a Russian orphanage, I was hoping to learn a lot about what goes on behind the scenes in Russian orphanages. I was not disappointed.
I truly appreciated this well-researched true story of the horrible things one child had to endure during his years in Russian orphanages. It helped me understand Russian attitudes towards abandoned children, what conditions are really like for children who must live in orphanages, and why so many children get caught in the system.
I was especially frustrated by the lady who tried to start a foster care system, but the government provided little support. I was frustrated that Vanya's birth mom was told she shouldn't try to take care of her son, and yet he received far worse care in orphanages.
However, I was also inspired by the volunteers who tried so hard to fight for a better life for Vanya. They didn't realize how challenging it would be to help him. Yet because they cared, they helped him get the surgery he needed, and ended up helping him find an adoptive family.
It's a heart-breaking story about the reasons some birth moms feel they have no option but to relinquish their children. I'm glad the authors tried to explore this issue, along with other important topics. It's also an inspiring story of one child, who despite being faced with huge challenges, was able to grow into a loving young man.
I hope everyone who is considering adoption or has adopted will read this book, especially if they plan to adopt from Russia. And I applaud the authors for taking the time to tell this amazing story.
I truly appreciated this well-researched true story of the horrible things one child had to endure during his years in Russian orphanages. It helped me understand Russian attitudes towards abandoned children, what conditions are really like for children who must live in orphanages, and why so many children get caught in the system.
I was especially frustrated by the lady who tried to start a foster care system, but the government provided little support. I was frustrated that Vanya's birth mom was told she shouldn't try to take care of her son, and yet he received far worse care in orphanages.
However, I was also inspired by the volunteers who tried so hard to fight for a better life for Vanya. They didn't realize how challenging it would be to help him. Yet because they cared, they helped him get the surgery he needed, and ended up helping him find an adoptive family.
It's a heart-breaking story about the reasons some birth moms feel they have no option but to relinquish their children. I'm glad the authors tried to explore this issue, along with other important topics. It's also an inspiring story of one child, who despite being faced with huge challenges, was able to grow into a loving young man.
I hope everyone who is considering adoption or has adopted will read this book, especially if they plan to adopt from Russia. And I applaud the authors for taking the time to tell this amazing story.
September 8, 2014
As the mom of a son adopted at age two from Russia this book touches my heart and mind in a way that will stick with me for all time. It is so sad, so appalling, so unbelievable that it goes on...I wish every one who could would adopt one child. I have gained much insight into what my son Sean has been through and it has helped me gain more empathy for some his his struggles.
March 15, 2010
I really wanted to like this book. Im having a really hard time finishing it. It seems to be more of a listing of what happens without really getting into the emotions or lives of the characters. I would have liked it better if it was written as a novel...I will try to finish.
January 16, 2019
This is a heart wrenching story of an amazing boy who overcame every obstacle imaginable. He was the victim of a system that does not value life, and unfortunately this happens all over the world today. His story is remarkable and a reminder that every life is precious and every person can make a beautiful difference in the life of another.
September 14, 2011
This was a heartbreaking and important book about a boy given to a Russian orphanage at a very young age. Diagnosed at birth with cerebral palsy, Vanya was considered ineducable and was left to languish in a single room in one of Moscow's baby houses (an orphanage for children under 5), never even going outside. He managed to teach himself to talk and longed for a connection with someone--anyone--but few connections were available.
The view of the baby house presented in this book and backed up by various sources is bleak: a single woman is in charge of dozens of children for 24 hours at a stretch and won't or can't become too attached, medical care and physical therapy is available in theory but seldom used in practice, and anything of value (toys, meat, clothes) disappears immediately. A few hand-selected children are fattened up to be "sold" to foreign adopters, but those considered unadoptable can expect to languish and slowly die without even learning how to walk. And this isn't an orphanage in Charles Dickens' England--this was going on in the late 1990s in Russia.
At age 5, Vanya was considered too old for the baby house and was sent to the internat, a mental institution from which most children never return. As bad as the baby house was, the internat was even worse. Vanya was left in his caged bed all day, never even getting a chance to use the toilet. (The plastic sheets might be wiped down once a day, if he was lucky.) If it wasn't for some volunteers making a Herculean attempt to rescue Vanya ("the boy who can talk") from the jaws of the internat, he would still be there.
Vanya's story ends happily. Some volunteers made connections and got him adopted in the United States, where he excelled at school and joined the Boy Scouts. But all those other children in Vanya's small world--my heart bleeds for them.
This book makes me feel helpless. I want to rush over to Russia and adopt and love all the children in the baby houses. I want to be a volunteer and take the children outside once in a while, and take them to the toilet and make sure someone teaches them how to walk. Realistically, that's not going to happen. I'm going to tut-tut over this book and pray for the Russian orphans, and then go back to trying to do good things within my own sphere of influence. But books like this make my sphere of influence seem terribly small.
The view of the baby house presented in this book and backed up by various sources is bleak: a single woman is in charge of dozens of children for 24 hours at a stretch and won't or can't become too attached, medical care and physical therapy is available in theory but seldom used in practice, and anything of value (toys, meat, clothes) disappears immediately. A few hand-selected children are fattened up to be "sold" to foreign adopters, but those considered unadoptable can expect to languish and slowly die without even learning how to walk. And this isn't an orphanage in Charles Dickens' England--this was going on in the late 1990s in Russia.
At age 5, Vanya was considered too old for the baby house and was sent to the internat, a mental institution from which most children never return. As bad as the baby house was, the internat was even worse. Vanya was left in his caged bed all day, never even getting a chance to use the toilet. (The plastic sheets might be wiped down once a day, if he was lucky.) If it wasn't for some volunteers making a Herculean attempt to rescue Vanya ("the boy who can talk") from the jaws of the internat, he would still be there.
Vanya's story ends happily. Some volunteers made connections and got him adopted in the United States, where he excelled at school and joined the Boy Scouts. But all those other children in Vanya's small world--my heart bleeds for them.
This book makes me feel helpless. I want to rush over to Russia and adopt and love all the children in the baby houses. I want to be a volunteer and take the children outside once in a while, and take them to the toilet and make sure someone teaches them how to walk. Realistically, that's not going to happen. I'm going to tut-tut over this book and pray for the Russian orphans, and then go back to trying to do good things within my own sphere of influence. But books like this make my sphere of influence seem terribly small.
May 12, 2010
This is an astounding story. I appreciate how well-written it is. It would have been difficult to gracefully piece together such a story that involved so many in a severely disorganized setting. Philps made the book a page-turner and I could easily keep sorted the names and events.
I must admit I was clueless to this aspect of the fall of communism. I really had no idea. I've heard of babies in Romania who lay in cribs without stimulation, but the details and extent of Vanya's story brought it home to a new level. It makes me want to research more and read about the babies in Romania so they become as real to me as Vanya now is. I commend Paula for following through on her prompting.
I always love to read of Christians who prove that Mormons don't have the corner on the market of being good people who choose the right and devote hours to service. Hooray for all of those involved!
As after I read the Three Cups of Tea book, I'm left questioning myself, "What do I do about it?"
I wonder how many books like this I'll have to read before it provokes a lifestyle change or impels me to act on the knowledge I'm gleaning. I guess I'm condemning myself in a way if I read about such situations and then do nothing...
I must admit I was clueless to this aspect of the fall of communism. I really had no idea. I've heard of babies in Romania who lay in cribs without stimulation, but the details and extent of Vanya's story brought it home to a new level. It makes me want to research more and read about the babies in Romania so they become as real to me as Vanya now is. I commend Paula for following through on her prompting.
I always love to read of Christians who prove that Mormons don't have the corner on the market of being good people who choose the right and devote hours to service. Hooray for all of those involved!
As after I read the Three Cups of Tea book, I'm left questioning myself, "What do I do about it?"
I wonder how many books like this I'll have to read before it provokes a lifestyle change or impels me to act on the knowledge I'm gleaning. I guess I'm condemning myself in a way if I read about such situations and then do nothing...
October 20, 2016
poorly written and biased.
the author consistently made out that him and his wife, sarah, a key character were victims in the narrative and that adela, the head doctor with a communist mindset was to blame for everything. if you're going to blame anyone, it's the system and lack of education.
page 104: "months had been wasted because of adela's passivity"
for example, in this particular incident sarah is just as much to blame as adela for waiting months to gather the courage to even see vanya.
I understand that sarah and alan philips had their own lives outside of vanya but to write themselves a pity party book is ridiculous. adela does have faults but for the author to place most of the blame on her and others is unfair.
it's a horrific story and this could have been such a great book but I was very disappointed throughout especially as it was written by a former journalist.
the author consistently made out that him and his wife, sarah, a key character were victims in the narrative and that adela, the head doctor with a communist mindset was to blame for everything. if you're going to blame anyone, it's the system and lack of education.
page 104: "months had been wasted because of adela's passivity"
for example, in this particular incident sarah is just as much to blame as adela for waiting months to gather the courage to even see vanya.
I understand that sarah and alan philips had their own lives outside of vanya but to write themselves a pity party book is ridiculous. adela does have faults but for the author to place most of the blame on her and others is unfair.
it's a horrific story and this could have been such a great book but I was very disappointed throughout especially as it was written by a former journalist.
September 27, 2017
I read this book when we started our adoption process. If I ever questioned going to Ukraine, this book changed that questioning. Russia is the country in this biographical story, but the nations are so similar.
Don't pick up this book and think it will be a quick read. The emotions you go through as you read the real life events of an orphan boy with disabilities are beyond gut wrenching. I specifically remember having to put the book down for 2 weeks because around page 60, I sat and sobbed for three hours and couldn't continue reading.
I'm so glad the boy found a mother who loves him and that he had others who were instrumental in his rescue from his hell on earth.
All that said, Do read this book. DO mourn over the lives of millions of orphans all over the world. DO something about it!!!
Don't pick up this book and think it will be a quick read. The emotions you go through as you read the real life events of an orphan boy with disabilities are beyond gut wrenching. I specifically remember having to put the book down for 2 weeks because around page 60, I sat and sobbed for three hours and couldn't continue reading.
I'm so glad the boy found a mother who loves him and that he had others who were instrumental in his rescue from his hell on earth.
All that said, Do read this book. DO mourn over the lives of millions of orphans all over the world. DO something about it!!!
July 4, 2011
Heartbreaking story and shocking to know these atrocities happened when I was an adult and ignorant of what this. Not very well written, lots of typos, poor grammar, difficult to follow and the author often repeats events that confuses the reader. I felt as though the story jumped around too much and I would have liked to know more about his assimilation into American culture. I am also left wondering more about his present connect with his older brother and sister and how they fit into his life today. What are his thoughts about the future? While the story pulls at your emotions and is informative, I was very disappointed.
January 30, 2015
very good book. don't want to spoil it for anyone so i won't say too much but some of the things in this book are so hard to imagine yet they really happened.
November 2, 2023
The book stands out for the heartbreaking testimony it gives.
It starts off in 1990 with Vanya, a little Russian kid suffering from head palsy. He ends up as an orphan in a mental institution where he goes through an appaling eight years until at last someone notices him and realizes he is neither a freak nor a retard, just a bright little boy desperately in need of care and love. By an extraordinary turn of events, Vanya's fate will then be brought to the attention of steadfast American Paula Lahutsky who is very soon setting herself into adopting him, come what may and no matter how many hurdles to overcome in Russia as well as in the US, given that both countries have a heap of stymying red tape for her.
In the end, you can't but marvel at how these two people, both longing for love in their own way, cross one another's path against all odds to become eventually mother and son. It really is an incredible story, even better than the most fanciful fairy tale because this time it is true.
It starts off in 1990 with Vanya, a little Russian kid suffering from head palsy. He ends up as an orphan in a mental institution where he goes through an appaling eight years until at last someone notices him and realizes he is neither a freak nor a retard, just a bright little boy desperately in need of care and love. By an extraordinary turn of events, Vanya's fate will then be brought to the attention of steadfast American Paula Lahutsky who is very soon setting herself into adopting him, come what may and no matter how many hurdles to overcome in Russia as well as in the US, given that both countries have a heap of stymying red tape for her.
In the end, you can't but marvel at how these two people, both longing for love in their own way, cross one another's path against all odds to become eventually mother and son. It really is an incredible story, even better than the most fanciful fairy tale because this time it is true.
November 13, 2023
I tend not to make reviews on memoirs or on biographies. It feels a little cutting to rate someone on their own experience. However, I thought that this book was beautifully written and painted a heartbreaking and vivid picture of the plight of disabled orphans.
What was difficult was that Vanya is such an interesting, bright person. But the book hits a hard wall when it got to the adoption, and then it sort of jumps ahead to present. I think as a reader it would have been wonderful to have the gaps filled in between leaving Russia and the portrait of a thriving young man. I would have liked to know about the adjustment to American life.
What was difficult was that Vanya is such an interesting, bright person. But the book hits a hard wall when it got to the adoption, and then it sort of jumps ahead to present. I think as a reader it would have been wonderful to have the gaps filled in between leaving Russia and the portrait of a thriving young man. I would have liked to know about the adjustment to American life.
July 11, 2018
Eye-opening and shocking. In the Russian orphanage system, (at least as late as the early 21st century) Disabled infants and children are labeled as “imbeciles”, assuming they will never be adopted. Many are denied treatment and education as they languish in what are basically asylums. This true story of Vanya, diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, is heartbreaking. Luckily he somehow maintained his charm and wit to capture the attention of some concerned samaritans. A long story, featuring a long and convoluted systemic journey for Vanya.
June 28, 2018
I was really looking forward to reading this book when I saw so many great reviews. I was a little disappointed with the route they took in writing it. It may seem a little harsh to say, but I found it to be a bit boring. The story jumped around quite a bit, gave some unnecessary details, I was more interested in getting to know Vanya. Overall, it was a touching story of resilience and courage that could’ve been executed in a better format.
September 12, 2023
I cannot believe something like this occurred in the late 90’s early 2000s…it’s absolutely atrocious people(children) are being treated this way…it’s also amazing John was able to overcome his situation and become the man he is today. I think it’s great what was done for him, but man, I can’t help but think what happened to all the other children still there. I want to believe things got better for them, but…I shudder to think about it…
October 28, 2025
A well documented story of the life of a resilient young man, who experienced life in a Russian baby house. I found myself reading this book from cover to cover, wanting to know more, wanting to understand what was different about Vanya, (John), that drew other people to him. Surely Vanya was an angel who brought life and hope to other people and the children who would otherwise have been forgotten. I believe that no child should be forgotten or unloved.
May 5, 2021
Het boek is een waargebeurd verhaal waardoor de omschrijvingen in het boek alleen nog maar gruwelijker zijn. Lastig te geloven dat dit soort praktijken zich afspelen. Het boek is vrij feitelijk omschreven, waardoor het verhaal iets luchtiger wordt. Het overspringen van karakters in het verhaal gaat soms rommelig waardoor je niet altijd in een keer doorhebt uit welk perspectief wordt verteld.
February 17, 2022
I wanted to read this book because it was about Russia and I have Lithuanian relatives. I'd never imagined that this type of abuse was going on in the 1990's! It saddened me but I continued rooting for Vanya. He had the courage to fight for his life! I can only hope that these types of "baby houses" are no longer open.
August 20, 2020
After adopting, I now want to understand more about the life of orphans everywhere. This book will incite anger. Beware the horrors will cause mixing of ink with tears. The great news is that the book has an incredible ending.
June 24, 2022
This was a hard read, but set as a narrative, and one of the best nonfiction books I’ve read. It’s important for people to get in inside look at orphanages around the world and understand that this is still happening. I would recommend.
August 18, 2024
recommend
Poor child,what he went through is sad . He has a super strong heart and he sure has determined to get what he wants and needs. He lived through it only because he is a strong soul. A great kid.Love people like him.
Poor child,what he went through is sad . He has a super strong heart and he sure has determined to get what he wants and needs. He lived through it only because he is a strong soul. A great kid.Love people like him.
January 20, 2025
Well written and researched book. Engaging characters though it jumps storylines a little bit.
Very heavy sad subject. I struggled through this book. Broke my heart to read all the details. Wouldn’t recommend to others but gave me some perspective too.
Very heavy sad subject. I struggled through this book. Broke my heart to read all the details. Wouldn’t recommend to others but gave me some perspective too.
July 28, 2025
I read this book years ago as a school assignment. It's a treacherously hard read. It's also one of those stories that's stuck with me ever since. Vanya's story won't make you feel good, but that's exactly why it's worth the read. It's a true account of a broken system and painful resilience.
June 2, 2019
A wonderful book, easy read and enjoyable. I recommend this book to everyone!
March 23, 2020
Super interesting book if not a bit depressing.
Read
August 27, 2022Mega.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews