Three Rivers Home

by Lara Brenckle Malmont

Three Rivers Home weaves a narrative of heartache and hope, highlighting the sacrifices made for family and the relentless pursuit of a place to belong.

• Based on the author’s grandfather’s childhood,
• A poignant tale of siblings, sacrifices, and true belonging.
• Set in early 20th-century Pittsburgh,
• Follows the journey of Francesco “Frankie” Fortunato, his sister Maria, and brother Joey, as their Italian immigrant parents’ dream collapses under the weight of illness and poverty.

With no one left to care for them, Frankie and Joey are thrust into Allegheny County’s rudimentary foster care system, where dependent children are “farmed out” — rented — to agriculture and industry for $5.60 a week.

Frankie finds unexpected peace and stability with his foster parents, Ethel and Raymond Collins, until a shocking scandal of alleged murder and sexual assault pulls them into a media maelstrom that threatens to destroy his future.

As Frankie nears his sixteenth birthday and the end of county care, he faces a choice: abandon his brother and their pledge to stay together, or plan a bold escape to create the family they’ve always wanted.

REVIEWS:

InThree Rivers Home, Lara Brenckle Malmont paints a rich portrait of Pittsburgh neighborhoods during the early 20th century, when immigrants from Italy and other countries faced brutal hardships but quietly forged success stories. Malmonts writing is sharp and compelling; her characters spring to life across multiple generations of the Fortunato family as two brothers navigate challenges by relying on grit, ingenuity, and trust in something bigger than themselves. Malmont weaves a touching story about the qualities of faith, character, and family, and shows how the fierce will to succeed even against daunting odds — can build something wondrous and timeless.

Ken Gormley, award-winning author and President of Duquesne University

Page Count: 296
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Publish Date: March 18, 2026
Imprint: Milford House
Genre: Historical

FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / General
FICTION / Family Life / Siblings
FICTION / Cultural Heritage