Coram Boy

Story

Set in 18^th Century London and Gloucester, Coram Boy interweaves three stories - of the sinister Coram Man who charges desperate women to take their babies to the Coram Hospital in London, but murders or sells them instead; of Alexander, reluctant heir to a country estate; and of Aaron, his illegitimate son, who finds himself with his friend Toby on an epic and dangerous journey to escape a terrible fate.

Why we chose it

Coram Boy is an enthralling and beautifully written novel about the perils facing unwanted children three centuries ago. Rich with historical details, vivid characters and intriguing twists and turns, it shows that love and friendship can triumph over cruelty and corruption.

Where it came from

Jamila Gavin grew up in India and London and worked for the BBC before becoming a writer. When she heard someone mention the Coram Man she realised a story should be told about his evil practice, and about the good work of Thomas Coram’s Foundling Hospital in London, England’s first children’s charity. It was the plight of the children which first attracted her to the Coram story. She wanted to write about how the children fared in such a grim world.

Where it went next

Coram Boy won the Whitbread Children’s Book Award. Helen Edmundson’s stage adaptation at the National Theatre in 2005 won the Time Out Live Award for Best Play.

Associated stories

Gavin’s novels for children and teenagers include The Wheel of Surya, The Robber Baron’s Daughter, The Blood Stone, and, for younger readers, Grandpa Chatterji. Her collections of traditional tales include Blackberry Blue and Other Fairy Tales.