The Sun Won't Come Out Tomorrow by Kristen Martin

The real history of being an orphan in America is nothing like the myth, and nothing like the American dream.

The orphan story has been mythologized: Step one: While a child is still too young to form distinct memories of them, their parents die in an untimely fashion. Step two: Orphan acquires caretakers who amplify the world’s cruelty. Step three: Orphan escapes and goes on an adventure, encountering the world’s vast possibilities.

The Sun Won’t Come Out Tomorrow upends this. Pairing powerful critiques of popular orphan narratives, from Annie to the Boxcar Children to Party of Five, journalist Kristen Martin explores the real history of orphanhood in the United States, from the 1800s to the present. Martin reveals the mission of religious indoctrination that was at the core of the first orphanages, the orphan trains that took parentless children out West (often without a choice), and the inherent classism and racism that still underlies the United States’ approach to child welfare.

Through a combination of in-depth archival research, memoir (Martin herself lost both her parents when she was quite young), and cultural analysis, The Sun Won’t Come out Tomorrow is a compellingly argued, compassionate book that forces us to reconsider autonomy, family, and community. Kristen Martin delivers a searing indictment of America’s consistent inability to care for those who need it most.

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The Sun Won't Come Out Tomorrow by Kristen Martin is a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of the real history of orphanhood in America. Martin, a journalist who lost both her parents at a young age, draws on her own experience and extensive archival research to challenge the mythologized narratives of orphanhood that have permeated American culture. From the classic tales of Annie and The Boxcar Children to TV shows like Party of Five, orphanhood has often been presented as a springboard for adventure and eventual triumph. Martin upends this romanticized vision, presenting a sobering look at the harsh realities faced by children who have lost their parents.

Through a combination of memoir, cultural critique, and historical analysis, Martin sheds light on the darker side of orphan history, including the religious indoctrination at the core of early orphanages, the trauma caused by the orphan trains that sent children West without their consent, and the persistent classism and racism that still shape child welfare today. Her compassionate and well-researched account forces readers to confront America's ongoing failure to protect and care for its most vulnerable citizens.

This is not an easy read, but it's a necessary one. Martin's voice is strong and compelling as she challenges us to reconsider our ideas of family, community, and what it truly means to care for those in need. The Sun Won't Come Out Tomorrow is a powerful and timely reflection on the reality of orphanhood, and a call for change in how we approach care for vulnerable children.

The Sun Won't Come Out Tomorrow publishes on the 21st January, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.