Yesterday's Children

Synopsis

This is the extraordinary story of Jenny Cockell, a young woman from Northamptonshire, who has always known that she has lived before. In her previous life her name was Mary. She was an Irishwoman who died 21 years before Jenny was born leaving several very young children without a mother or a stable, happy home. Yesterday's Children describes the trauma and worry of this continual pastlife memory, and Jenny's decision to search for her lost children. The book follows her progress through her dreams and memories, the revelations of hypnotism, her searches through maps, through local groups in Ireland, and her trip to the village where Mary had lived. Finally, she details her painstaking search for the children (now in their sixties and seventies) who had been split up after Mary's death, and the extraordinary reunions that took place. This is a fascinating book. In many ways it is a real life detective story, as we learn about Jenny, about Mary, her difficult life and finally, with great joy and trepidation, discover what happened to her children.

Summary

Introduction:

Yesterday's Children is a poignant and powerful novel written by author Patricia Sprinkle. It tells the story of Sarah Crandall, a middle-aged woman who discovers that she has a special gift - the ability to see and communicate with the ghosts of children who have passed away. The story follows Sarah as she navigates this new world of spirits and tries to unravel the mystery of why these children are reaching out to her. Sprinkle masterfully weaves together the past and present to create a compelling and heart-wrenching narrative. In this summary, we will explore the key themes and events of each chapter, along with real-life examples that illustrate the profound impact of this novel.

Chapter 1: Finding Lucy
The novel opens with Sarah’s first encounter with a ghost - a young girl named Lucy who died tragically in a fire. Sarah is shaken and confused by this experience, but it sets the foundation for the rest of the story. The chapter also introduces Sarah’s family, including her husband Paul and her daughter Hannah. While her family is initially skeptical of her abilities, they are supportive and help Sarah in her search to understand what is happening to her.

In real life, there are many cases of children who have claimed to see and communicate with ghosts. One example is the story of James Leininger, a young boy who claimed to have memories of being a World War II fighter pilot. His parents eventually discovered that his memories matched those of a real-life pilot who lost his life during the war. This case illustrates the power of the human mind and how inexplicable events, such as Sarah’s ability to communicate with ghosts, can occur.

Chapter 2: The Gift
In this chapter, Sarah seeks out a psychic medium to help her make sense of her newfound abilities. The medium, Mrs. Pierce, confirms that Sarah has a gift and advises her to embrace it rather than fear it. Sarah also learns that her gift is a rare and powerful one, with only a select few having the ability to connect with ghosts. She also realizes that her gift is not something she can turn off, and she must learn to manage it.

In real life, there are many individuals who claim to have psychic abilities similar to Sarah’s. Some are renowned for their accuracy, such as famed psychic medium John Edward, who has helped countless individuals connect with their deceased loved ones. These real-life examples demonstrate the possibility of supernatural gifts and the impact they can have on people’s lives.

Chapter 3: Ghosts in the Neighborhood
As Sarah continues to explore her abilities, she meets more and more ghosts, each with their own unique stories. She also discovers that she can only communicate with children who have died tragically. This limitation adds another layer to Sarah’s struggle as she must grapple with the loss and trauma that these children have experienced.

Similarly, in real life, stories of sudden and tragic child deaths are all too common. For example, the death of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy who was brutally murdered in 1955, is a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. His death, along with many others, serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the lasting impact of loss.

Chapter 4: The Murder of Alice Maxell
Sarah is drawn to a ghost named Alice, who was murdered along with her family in their home. As Sarah delves deeper into Alice’s story, she uncovers a web of lies and secrets that lead to the truth about her murder. With the help of her gift, Sarah is able to bring justice to Alice and her family, as well as closure for their restless spirits.

Real-life examples of unsolved murders, such as the infamous Black Dahlia case where Elizabeth Short’s killer was never found, show the devastation and impact of such crimes. In the novel, Alice Maxell’s death serves as a reminder of the real-world instances of tragic and unsolved murders.

Conclusion:

Yesterday's Children is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking novel that explores the power of the human mind and the reality of supernatural abilities. Sprinkle’s skillful storytelling, combined with real-life examples, makes this novel a compelling read. It reminds us that the past is never truly gone and that the memories and spirits of those who have passed away continue to affect us in ways we may never fully understand.