Mama's Babies

Set in the late 1800s in Australia, the story follows Sarah, a girl who suspects her mother is a 'baby farmer.' Her mother accepts unwanted infants for payment, but Sarah soon realizes these children are not being found new homes: they are disappearing. The narrative follows Sarah's internal struggle and eventual external investigation into the horrific truth of her mother's business. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly and realistically with the historical practice of baby farming, which involves the neglect and death of infants. While not overly graphic, the implications are heavy and disturbing. The resolution is realistic and somewhat grim, reflecting the harshness of the era rather than a fairy-tale ending. EMOTIONAL ARC: The book starts with a sense of isolation and creeping dread. It builds slowly into a tense psychological thriller, ending with a heavy sense of loss and the burden of truth. IDEAL READER: A mature middle or high schooler who enjoys dark historical fiction like 'The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate' but with a gothic, suspenseful edge. It is perfect for a teen interested in forensic history or social justice. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might notice their child questioning the 'darker' side of history or asking about the ethics of the past. The trigger moment is the realization of the mother's cold-blooded pragmatism regarding the lives of the infants. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware that the concept of infanticide is central to the plot. Reading the historical afterword about baby farming first will help provide necessary context. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens (12 to 14) will experience it as a scary mystery/thriller. Older teens (15 to 17) will likely pick up on the systemic issues of poverty and women's rights that led to such practices. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many historical novels that romanticize the past, Crew uses a chilling, almost gothic tone to expose a specific, often ignored social horror.