The Price of Children: Stolen Lives in a Land Without Choice by American investigative journalist Maria Laurino tells the story of the 3,700 Italian children who, between 1950 and 1970, were sent to America for adoption in an arrangement between the Vatican and the American Catholic Church.

At a time when stigma against unwed mothers was rife, mothers were lied to, given forms to sign they didn’t understand and in some cases, were told their babies had died.

Maria Laurino includes archival research along with the voices of perpetrators and victims, and she considers how private lives are shaped by politics and historical moments.