What They Never Told Us

“Delightfully readable and timely . . . [Lukasik’s] compassionate voice elicits confessions of the heart from her interviewees on topics few of us share readily . . . You will never look at family, ethnicity, or belonging in quite the same terms again.” —Michele Kriegman, 2024 American Jewish Press Award-winner, author of The Birth-Fathers’ Club Series
 
“Powerful . . . [Lukasik] deftly uncovers the complex layers of racial identities that have long been buried in the American experience. Blending a deeply personal narrative with an investigative dive into often surprising oral histories, Lukasik challenges everything we think we know about America's past, reminding us that nothing is ever quite as it seems.” —Sarah Klein, Director, Redglass Pictures

“A remarkable book. In her ability to make people feel comfortable in sharing their stories, Gail Lukasik explores how individuals and their families deal with family secrets of race, ethnicity, and adoptions. Through these stories, Gail beautifully guides us through her subject’s feelings of pain, identity loss, trauma, and their journey toward self-reclamation. What They Never Told Us brings to the forefront that these stories are more common than not and the courage it takes to confront these secrets and embrace the truth.” —Tim Russell, VP of Community Engagement and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at WTTW, PBS member station in Chicago

"Lukasik’s writing is masterful, inspiring, and fearless…. In her new book, What They Never Told Us, she explores the lives of ordinary people [and]... uncovers family secrets that were meant to stay hidden." —Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS’s Genealogy Roadshow

"High caliber writing enriches these powerful and poignant narratives, which unearth sealed records, reveal ghost fathers, and give meaning to lives shattered by secrets.” —Judy Carmack Bross, Editor, Classic Chicago magazine

"Lukasik unveils hidden truths about identity, race, and family heritage that resonate with anyone curious about their roots. I was captivated by how she skillfully intertwined her own story with those of others, adding a personal touch that made the exploration even more insightful. It’s a book that stays with you, making you reflect on the complexities of your own identity long after you’ve turned the last page." —Tom Mason, Director, Redglass Pictures