Description
Description
Eleven-year-old Willa Johnson has been living at the Southern Ohio Children's Home ever since her mother died from a drug overdose. The old mansion provides a safe haven in her rural town for orphans affected by the opioid epidemic, and Willa hopes never to leave-she loves learning, her daily responsibilities, and especially the facility's director, Mercy. But the overburdened home is teetering on the edge of financial ruin, as Mercy struggles to make ends meet.
The newest resident of the home is Kacey, a nonbinary teen who's been kicked out by parents who reject their identity. When Willa and Kacey discover a hidden set of diaries written by Mercy's dead aunt, they unintentionally dig up a dark history that will forever change the kids' future-for better or worse.
With Willa as the unforgettable ringleader, Orphanland is a hopeful coming-of-age mystery set against the backdrop of the opioid crisis, exploring themes of loss, privilege, social justice, and resilience. Containing plenty of mischief alongside tragedy and hope, Orphanland is perfect for upper middle grade and teen readers (grades 4-8; ages 10+) who enjoyed Sydney Dunlap's Racing the Clouds and Kenneth M. Cadow's Gather.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"A vibrant middle grade mystery ... Willa is a gem of a character. For their part, Kacey is a teen with a history of heartbreak, but who refuses to compromise their identity." -The BookLife Prize
"Childhood friends work to unravel a mystery surrounding their orphanage, an abandoned school, and the influential family tied to both. Willa and her new friend Kacey make a fascinating discovery: a series of diaries written when the orphanage was a wealthy family's mansion. Willa's inquiries give clear shape to the failures of American social institutions. These negative situations are good narrative foils, instigating character development." -Ian Dailey, Foreword Reviews
"Upper middle grade and teen readers will find Willa's story features modern-day concerns, such as drugs and social conditions, while placing Willa and her friends amidst a storm of controversy that is as much about a sense of place and home as it is about safety, recovery, and growth." -D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"Orphanland is a heartwarming novel that explores the impact of the opioid epidemic on children and their families. The story includes meaningful friendships between kids who come from a variety of challenging circumstances, an adorable kitten, and a page-turning mystery involving Willa's caretaker-along with the discovery of old diaries that may contain clues. Willa is easy to root for." -Sydney Dunlap, award-winning author of Racing the Clouds
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
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