Every so often, a book comes along that changes you as a person. Orphanland is one of those books. It follows the story of Willa, an eleven year old orphan whose children’s home is at threat of closure due to lack of funds. Somehow, this pre-teen read manages to cover more social issues than a left-wing newspaper in Pride month. From drug overdoses, class divides and animal welfare to colonialism, LGBTQ+ and disabilities, everything is handled sensitively and in an accessible way for children. The representation is weaved unobtrusively throughout making this, in my opinion, a future classic like Holes or Wonder.
I normally try to give a balanced review but I’m unable to raise a single complaint about Orphanland. The book starts when Kacey, a non-binary child rejected by their mother, moves to the Southern Ohio Children’s Home and meets Willa. The two gradually form a deep friendship through the reading of some secret diaries they find in the library and begin investigating the terrible things which happened in the past.
With a side cast of Emily, the cook with Downs Syndrome and Mrs Harbour, a kind lady with Parkinson’s who used to fundraise for the children’s home, the disability representation feels realistic without being too preachy. The backstories of all the orphans feel familiar too. It’s not just a trauma dump of neglected kids, there are parents trying to secure a happy place for their children after being diagnosed with terminal cancer and parents who step up for their kids in the end. This nuance really raises the bar and challenges the reader’s perception of orphans as kids from broken homes.
The plot and sub-plots are drawn perfectly, managing to wrap up neatly without diminishing the threat from the Home’s closure. While the Southern Ohio Children’s Home manages to survive, there are real stories across the world where finances can’t be found and I’m not ashamed to admit this reality had me in tears more than once.
It’s no surprise that the research for this book was impeccable. Everything which happens is taken from real life examples, adding to the legitimacy. While marketed at 10-14 year olds, I would highly recommend for older teens and adults alike. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to review such a poignant book and I know Willa’s story will stay with me for decades to come.
As the terminally online are known to say, 10/10 – no notes.
| Criteria | Scores | Our Score |
| Artistic Achievement | 1 – 5 | 5 |
| Pacing | 1 – 5 | 5 |
| Characters | 1 – 5 | 5 |
| Writing Style | 1 – 5 | 5 |
| Originality | 1 – 5 | 5 |
Written By: ivetafox
Favourite Game – Long Live the Queen || Favourite Film – Sweeney Todd || Favourite Book – Wuthering Heights
About: Ivy is a disabled, autistic writer from the UK, passionate about inclusive gaming. When not reviewing, she can be found writing short stories and micro fiction or reading the latest gothic novel.
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