Children Alone

By: Mike Yarbro

Narrated by: Tom Gallagher

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

In the rugged hills of 1880’s Tennessee, an intense family drama unfolds, reminding us that truth is indeed stranger, more harrowing, and more miraculous than fiction.

Children Alone follows the true-life story of young Edmund Buck Yarbro and his sister Alice Delilah, detailing their struggles to survive against all odds and to emerge victorious over a series of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

At tender, young ages, Edmund, Alice, and their three siblings - one of whom is mentally challenged - tragically lose their mother, an event that takes the family on an intense downward spiral into misery, despair, and the ultimate nightmare.

As a single parent of a house full of children, Edmund and Alice’s father Milton Jasper feels the need to remarry, and within a year he has brought home a new wife to serve as a mother figure in his household. But the situation isn’t quite as simple - or as idyllic - as that.

Milton Jasper and his children never could have anticipated the living hell his new wife would make of their lives and her evil attempts to tear the family apart forever.

Edmund, Alice, and their siblings are soon terrorized by on onslaught of abuse and mistreatment at the hands of their new stepmother. Their formerly happy lives are plunged into a dismal world where survival is key and where nothing matters but the next moment. Little do they know that their situation is about to deteriorate even further.

When Edmund and Alice’s stepmother gives birth to her first child, she becomes an even harder, crueler mistress. Even Milton Jasper’s love for his children does not prove valiant enough to save Alice and Edmund, only 10 and 11 years old, respectively, from being cast out of the family forever.

Turned out of the house by their stepmother one cold, frozen night during a bitter Tennessee winter, the young boy and girl are told never to return to the family farm. They are on their own now, and they must make their own choices, forge their own way, and struggle to survive against the harsh elements.

At last, they come to a rundown shack on the banks of the Tennessee River, where they set up house and do their best to scrape by on a rudimentary existence. Between odd jobs and foraging for food, Edmund and Alice learn to make do. But while they are sustaining their physical lives, what has become of the emotional and the spiritual?

Will young Edmund and his sister forever be broken and remain victims, haunted by the tragedy that tore apart their lives? Or will they find a deeper meaning, a purpose, a flash of divine intervention that will lift them out of the ashes of their heartache and pain?

Witness firsthand this true-life testimony of how God can work through even the most impossible of situations, how he can bring good out of evil, and how he wrought a miracle in the lives of Edmund and Alice Yarbro, making them strong pillars of light, love, faith, and honesty in the midst of a dark and lonely world.

©2016 Mike Yarbro (P)2019 Mike Yarbro

Children Alone

I could not put this book down! How could anybody do that to children! Thankful that it turned out OK. I know they were better off without their stepmother! I don’t know how the father could allow that to take place!! Excellent book!!

Amazing Story!

“Children Alone” will take you on a journey of love, heartbreak, tenacity and survival. I read the book and am now listening to it on Audible. Tom Gallagher narrates beautifully! Love his voice.

The author, Mike Yarbro, does a great job of making you feel as if you are right there with the characters as they experience every moment of their young lives. He turns tragedy into a lovely sense of true faith with the knowledge that “With God all things are possible.”

Great book, author and narrator!

Intriguing life turns & twists while inspiring

I was completely immersed in the day & age of the events that transpired. Inspiring to know that what we may feel are difficult challenges today are nothing compared to survival of the children alone.

More !

Oh, I just wanted the story to go on and on!! Mr. Yarbro is a fabulous story teller. He creates a canvas with his words- I could
easily visualize all the scenes and people.
I felt many emotions while listening to this book,
But overall and overwhelming inspiration throughout. I love reading about the lives of
people that helped build this country, the obstacles the children overcame to success is truly heartwarming. I finished
With a teary smile and wished there was more! That,
Is the stamp of an excellent book!

Wonderful story

Great story and character development. A wonderful depiction of days gone by. Well written story of a life well lived. Would love to see a follow up story on the rest of the characters in the book.

Captivating story!

This is a wonderful story about 2 brave children. The story had me laughing at times and crying at others. It truly shows how God can turn a bad situation into something absolutely beautiful.

Great story of unthinkable deeds...

I truly enjoyed reading this story. A brother and sister surviving the hardships of being alone in the 1880's. A cruel stepmother and actions of terror. But, they made their way and triumphed in llife.

A wonderful book of love and perseverance.

I enjoyed this book very much. The resourcefulness and perseverance of the young children was exceptional. The love they had for one another is very much admired and so needed in this world today.

Good Story

I really enjoyed this book. It showed how the power of love got these two young people through a most troubling and unimaginable circumstance. The morals and guidance taught to them in their early years by their father, guided them through this hard time as well as the rest of their lives.
This is a heartwarming story.

Great story!

We enjoyed this story very much! Meant more since we know the author of course! We are readers so listening was not as enjoyable. Definitely didn’t like the voice changes for the characters!