Wayward Girls: A Novel
From New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs, a wrenching but life-affirming novel based on a true story of survival, friendship, and redemption when six girls come together in a Catholic reform school in 1960s Buffalo, NY. Perfect for fans of Before We Were YoursOrphan Train, and The Berry Pickers.

It was a place frozen in time, an ancient fortress haunted by echoes that whispered against the gray stone in a mysterious, heavy rhythm, as though this place was entirely separate from the rest of the world. A sign by the inner door read Our Lady of Charity Refuge and Sisters of the Good Shepherd.

Mairin’s breath caught in her throat as comprehension crept over her. This place was the one mentioned in scandalized whispers from the older girls at school. It was the one people gossiped about when a girl suddenly stopped showing up to class. It was the place angry parents—like her own mother—threatened their daughters with: “I’ll send you to the nuns, just you see if I won’t.”

Amid the turbulence of the Vietnam Era, in the all-American city of Buffalo, New York, teenage girls were condemned to forced labor at the Good Shepherd, a dark and secret institution controlled by the Sisters of Charity nuns.

In 1968 we meet six teens thrust into confinement at the Good Shepherdmerely for being gay, pregnant, or simply unruly.

Mairin free-spirited daughter of Irish immigrants was committed to keep her safe from her stepfather.

Angeladenounced for her attraction to girls, was sent to the nuns for reform, but instead found herself the victim of a predator.

Helenthe daughter of intellectuals detained in Communist China, saw her “temporary” stay at the Good Shepherd stretch into years.

Odessacaught up in a police dragnet over a racial incident, found the physical and mental toughness to endure her sentence.

Denisesentenced for brawling in a foster home, dared to dream of a better life.

Janicedeeply insecure, she couldn’t decide where her loyalty layexcept when it came to her friend Kay, who would never outgrow her childlike dependency.

Sister Bernadetterescued from a dreadful childhood, she owed her loyalty to the Sisters of Charity even as her conscience weighed on her.

Wayward Girls is a haunting but thrilling tale of hope, solidarity, and the enduring strength of young women who find the courage to break free and find redemption...and justice.

1146134265
Wayward Girls: A Novel
From New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs, a wrenching but life-affirming novel based on a true story of survival, friendship, and redemption when six girls come together in a Catholic reform school in 1960s Buffalo, NY. Perfect for fans of Before We Were YoursOrphan Train, and The Berry Pickers.

It was a place frozen in time, an ancient fortress haunted by echoes that whispered against the gray stone in a mysterious, heavy rhythm, as though this place was entirely separate from the rest of the world. A sign by the inner door read Our Lady of Charity Refuge and Sisters of the Good Shepherd.

Mairin’s breath caught in her throat as comprehension crept over her. This place was the one mentioned in scandalized whispers from the older girls at school. It was the one people gossiped about when a girl suddenly stopped showing up to class. It was the place angry parents—like her own mother—threatened their daughters with: “I’ll send you to the nuns, just you see if I won’t.”

Amid the turbulence of the Vietnam Era, in the all-American city of Buffalo, New York, teenage girls were condemned to forced labor at the Good Shepherd, a dark and secret institution controlled by the Sisters of Charity nuns.

In 1968 we meet six teens thrust into confinement at the Good Shepherdmerely for being gay, pregnant, or simply unruly.

Mairin free-spirited daughter of Irish immigrants was committed to keep her safe from her stepfather.

Angeladenounced for her attraction to girls, was sent to the nuns for reform, but instead found herself the victim of a predator.

Helenthe daughter of intellectuals detained in Communist China, saw her “temporary” stay at the Good Shepherd stretch into years.

Odessacaught up in a police dragnet over a racial incident, found the physical and mental toughness to endure her sentence.

Denisesentenced for brawling in a foster home, dared to dream of a better life.

Janicedeeply insecure, she couldn’t decide where her loyalty layexcept when it came to her friend Kay, who would never outgrow her childlike dependency.

Sister Bernadetterescued from a dreadful childhood, she owed her loyalty to the Sisters of Charity even as her conscience weighed on her.

Wayward Girls is a haunting but thrilling tale of hope, solidarity, and the enduring strength of young women who find the courage to break free and find redemption...and justice.

30.0 Pre Order
Wayward Girls: A Novel

Wayward Girls: A Novel

by Susan Wiggs
Wayward Girls: A Novel

Wayward Girls: A Novel

by Susan Wiggs

Hardcover

$30.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
    Available for Pre-Order. This item will be released on May 6, 2025

Related collections and offers


Overview

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs, a wrenching but life-affirming novel based on a true story of survival, friendship, and redemption when six girls come together in a Catholic reform school in 1960s Buffalo, NY. Perfect for fans of Before We Were YoursOrphan Train, and The Berry Pickers.

It was a place frozen in time, an ancient fortress haunted by echoes that whispered against the gray stone in a mysterious, heavy rhythm, as though this place was entirely separate from the rest of the world. A sign by the inner door read Our Lady of Charity Refuge and Sisters of the Good Shepherd.

Mairin’s breath caught in her throat as comprehension crept over her. This place was the one mentioned in scandalized whispers from the older girls at school. It was the one people gossiped about when a girl suddenly stopped showing up to class. It was the place angry parents—like her own mother—threatened their daughters with: “I’ll send you to the nuns, just you see if I won’t.”

Amid the turbulence of the Vietnam Era, in the all-American city of Buffalo, New York, teenage girls were condemned to forced labor at the Good Shepherd, a dark and secret institution controlled by the Sisters of Charity nuns.

In 1968 we meet six teens thrust into confinement at the Good Shepherdmerely for being gay, pregnant, or simply unruly.

Mairin free-spirited daughter of Irish immigrants was committed to keep her safe from her stepfather.

Angeladenounced for her attraction to girls, was sent to the nuns for reform, but instead found herself the victim of a predator.

Helenthe daughter of intellectuals detained in Communist China, saw her “temporary” stay at the Good Shepherd stretch into years.

Odessacaught up in a police dragnet over a racial incident, found the physical and mental toughness to endure her sentence.

Denisesentenced for brawling in a foster home, dared to dream of a better life.

Janicedeeply insecure, she couldn’t decide where her loyalty layexcept when it came to her friend Kay, who would never outgrow her childlike dependency.

Sister Bernadetterescued from a dreadful childhood, she owed her loyalty to the Sisters of Charity even as her conscience weighed on her.

Wayward Girls is a haunting but thrilling tale of hope, solidarity, and the enduring strength of young women who find the courage to break free and find redemption...and justice.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780063118270
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: 05/06/2025
Pages: 400
Sales rank: 428,921
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.15(d)

About the Author

About The Author
Susan Wiggs is the author of more than fifty novels, including the beloved Lakeshore Chronicles series and the recent New York Times bestsellers The Lost and Found BookshopThe Oysterville Sewing Circle, and Family Tree. Her award-winning books have been translated into two dozen languages. She lives with her husband on an island in Washington State’s Puget Sound.

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews