Tag Archives: Orphans

YA – The Notorious Virtues

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Hamilton, Alwyn. The Notorious Virtues. Viking. 2025. 978-0-4514-7966-2. $22.99. 512 p. Grades 9-12.

Honora is the heiress apparent to the Holtzfall fortune of money and magic. She finds herself splashed across the tabloid pages hopping from party to party through the wealthy First circle of Walstad, until her mother is murdered. This doesn’t keep her out of the news, but it does kick off a new round of the Veritaz trials where she and the other Holtzfalls of her generation compete in tests of virtue to determine the true heir. The competition brings shocking family secrets to light, and Honora must keep alert, ready to face life-threatening trials. With a handsome young newspaper reporter, Honora investigates lingering questions about her mother’s early demise.

THOUGHTS: Hamilton does an excellent job telling this story through multiple perspectives. She keeps the pace moving and allows the history and traditions of different factions of this magical world to be revealed. The world-building, including origin-story fairy tales, is excellent. Meanwhile, the main storyline has a magic-infused Roaring Twenties aesthetic and the economic inequality to match. The Notorious Virtues offers clever and thoughtful twists on common tropes and has an ending that leaves the reader hungering for more. Fans of the Harry Potter series, Six of Crows, and The Inheritance Games will enjoy this fantasy-mystery-adventure. 

Fantasy

Elem./MG – The Library of Unruly Treasures

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Birdsall, Jeanne. The Library of Unruly Treasures. Illustrated by Matt Phelan. Alfred A. Knopf, 2025. 978-0-525-57904-5. 408 p. $17.09. Grades 4-8. 

Eleven-year-old Gwen MacKinnon, neglected by her divorced and self-absorbed parents, is sent to stay with her great-uncle Matthew in Massachusetts. There, she discovers not only a stable and loving home for the first time, but also a magical secret hidden in the town’s MacKinnon Library. The children’s section is inhabited by the Lahdukan—tiny, winged beings with turquoise hair who are visible only to young children and, mysteriously, to Gwen. When the Lahdukan reveal that Gwen is their prophesied Qalba, a guardian meant to help them relocate before the library undergoes renovations, she embarks on a quest that leads to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and a reunion of long-separated Lahdukan clans. With help from her great-uncle, a former Qalba, and a devoted children’s librarian, Gwen learns to navigate both magical and real-world challenges, ultimately discovering her own worth and strength.

THOUGHTS: The novel’s magical realism is seamlessly woven into a contemporary setting, making the fantastical elements feel both believable and enchanting. Gwen comes across as a deeply relatable and resilient character. Her transformation from feeling discarded to discovering her inner strength is inspiring. The Lahdukan mythology is richly imagined, with layers of tradition, prophecy, and humor that add depth to the narrative. With its endearing characters, clever prose, and a touch of intrigue, The Library of Unruly Treasures is a captivating read for upper elementary students and middle schoolers. This story may leave readers peeking around library corners in search of tiny winged friends.

Fantasy

MG – Rebellion 1776

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Anderson, Laurie Halse. Rebellion 1776. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2025. 978-1-416-96826-9. 405 p. $19.99. Grades 5-8.

It’s the spring of 1776, and thirteen-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper wakes to the sound of cannon fire. The Siege of Boston has begun, and her city is now a battleground. Her father is missing, and since he is the only family she has left, Elsbeth is suddenly on her own, struggling to survive in a war-torn city while avoiding the dreaded orphanage. She is left at the mercy of the rich family she works for, hoping that they will continue to shelter her as a servant. Just as the fighting intensifies, smallpox sweeps through Boston, adding a new layer of fear and urgency. Panicked crowds beg for risky inoculations and others reject them outright. Elsbeth, who is immune from a childhood bout with the disease, remembers (not too fondly) her mother and siblings’ battles with the illness before it took their lives. Yet she steels herself to care for the sick children in the wealthy household. With her loyal friend Shubel Kent by her side, Elsbeth searches for her missing Pappa during what little time she has off all while Boston is overwhelmed by a surge in smallpox cases and political upheaval surrounding independence. Elsbeth navigates threats to her safety, from the Pikes’ hostile housekeeper to a shady figure from her father’s past. In a city where not everyone can be trusted, Elsbeth must stay true to herself.

THOUGHTS: Rebellion 1776 is another standout book from Anderson. Fans of her Chains trilogy will see similar themes in both books (protagonists must survive on their own, care for others, and learn who they are in a fractured, dangerous world). Students will find parallels between smallpox vaccinations and recent debates about COVID-19 vaccines. This is a must-buy for any middle grade historical fiction collection.

Historical Fiction

Laurie Halse Anderson takes us back to the Revolution in Rebellion 1776. Elsbeth lost her mother and siblings to smallpox and has moved from Philadelphia to Boston. She’s tall and strong for 13 and can easily pass for 16, which helps her get work as a maid, but she dreams of being a seamstress. The large Pike family moves into the house where she was working. In addition to the Pike’s many children, the household also has a bossy housekeeper, and Hannah, a mischievous girl who they are caring for who is close in age to Elsbeth. After Elsbeth hides from her father during the Siege of Boston, she can’t find him, which means the Overseer of the Poor may send her to an orphanage or to the country to work on a farm. Elsbeth is fighting battles in the chaotic household with Hannah breaking the rules of society, the kids’ constant bickering, endless chores, and the housekeeper plotting against her. There is also chaos in Boston, which is trying to break from the redcoats, full of thieves, and is getting ready to shut down for smallpox inoculations. Elsbeth is smart, funny, and caring, and readers will enjoy her insights.

THOUGHTS: Rebellion 1776 is a well researched book that will transport readers to 1776 Boston and teach students about the Revolutionary War, rights of women (or lack thereof), and the smallpox outbreak while making these historical events of almost 250 years ago feel  important to the reader. Readers will learn about the early formation of the US government as well as the vaccine efforts. Like Chains and Fever 1793, Rebellion 1776 has likeable characters and conflict that will keep readers interested. At 416 pages, I still wanted to read more. This will make a wonderful addition to middle school historical fiction collections. Huzzah!

Historical Fiction

Elem./MG – The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night

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Banbury, Steven. The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2024. 978-0-316-57298-9. 322 p. $18.99. Grades 4-6.

The story opens with a runaway orphan girl lost in the woods on Halloween. She crosses paths with The Pumpkin King, who offers to adopt her and make her The Pumpkin Princess of Hallowell Valley. She agrees to go with him, is given the name Eve, and follows her new father to a magical world where werewolves, ghosts, and vampires are all real. She befriends Vlad, a vampire, and a witch named Lyla and meets all sorts of other characters in town. Unfortunately, some of the Hallowell Valley residents are not pleased with having a “living” among them. There also is a plot to overthrow The Pumpkin King as ruler. Eve and her new friends must find a way to convince everyone to let her stay as well as save her new-found father. 

THOUGHTS: This was one of my favorite middle grade books that I read in 2024. I absolutely loved the found family and character growth depicted in the book. Give this to students who love Halloween, found families, and magic. 

Fantasy

Elem./MG – Rosa by Starlight

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McKay, Hilary. Rosa by Starlight. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2024. 978-1-665-95810-3. 148 p. $16.99. Grades 4-6.

Rosa Mundi’s world is turned upside down after the death of her parents in a car accident. Even though her long-lost aunt and uncle are taking care of her, her life at age eleven is still a shadow of what it was. Rosa’s cold and uncaring relatives are only interested in their artificial grass company. The one bright spot in her life is her friendship with a black cat named Balthazar, who magically enters Rosa’s bedroom through a closed window and introduces himself. Rosa, who believes in the power of magic, is excited when the cat helps her find a bracelet of Venetian beads in the roots of an apple tree. Her guardians announce that they are planning a trip to Venice to sell plastic grass there and reluctantly take Rosa with them. While her relatives stay in a posh hotel, they take Rosa to a small family hotel and restaurant where the owners only speak Italian. The young girl soon meets a Venetian ginger cat, who reminds her of Balthazar. Alone in the hotel, Rosa learns some Italian from Signora and Signor Mancini, the innkeepers, and she begins to help them around the hotel. She is surprised when her aunt and uncle give her twenty euros and is suspicious that they are plotting something. Later when they meet on the Rialto Bridge, the aunt and uncle try to push her into the water below. When Rosa yells stop, everyone is frozen in place and she runs away only to get lost. With the help of some cats, a thief, and a flying lion, Rosa returns to the Mancini’s hotel, where she learns a secret about the bracelet that changes her life forever. 

THOUGHTS: Children will be drawn to this story of cats and magic, which are often favorite subjects. They will also enjoy the charming pencil drawings by Rockefeller. This short chapter book is a worthwhile purchase for middle grades, particularly where the author’s books are popular. A Junior Library Guild selection.

Fantasy

Elem./MG – The Windeby Puzzle: History and Story

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Lowry, Lois. The Windeby Puzzle: History and Story. Clarion Books, 2023. 978-035-867250-0. 186 p. $16.99. Grades 5-7.

In May 1952 in northern Germany, men excavating a peat bog discovered skeletal remains, with remarkably preserved hair and clothing remnants. Scientists estimated that this “bog body” was buried in the First Century A.D, during the Iron Age and could find no obvious signs of trauma. At first they believed the body was that of an adolescent female, and she became known as the Windeby Girl. Fascinated by this, Lowry poses a possible explanation to this mystery, after conducting research on that time period. She calls the girl Estrild, and she lives in a village with her family. Her friend is called Varick, who is an orphan boy with a curved spine and other disabilities. Approaching adulthood, Estrild is not looking forward to a future as a wife and mother.  Instead, she longs to be a warrior like her brothers and asks Varick, who works with the forger, to help her learn how to use a sword and shield. Soon it is time for the eligible boys to undergo the initiation rites of the warrior. Estrild joins them, declaring before the village and the druids that a woman should have the same opportunities to fight as the males. Those in power make a decision, which ends in tragedy. After writing this story, Lowry learned that a scientist in this century determined that the bog body was that of an adolescent male and so she created a second story from the viewpoint of Varick, who is very curious about nature and how things work. From his study of bones, he is able to successfully treat the forger’s hip injury, but sadly the teenager cannot help himself avoid an unfortunate end. The book is divided into five parts: History, Estrild’s story, History, Varick’s story, and History. The History sections discuss life in the Iron Age and the bog body discovery. There is ample information in the back matter about warrior shields, animals, and customs. The end papers show a photograph of the body, and there are grayscale illustrations by Stroh before each chapter. 

THOUGHTS: This is an intriguing book that will attract middle grade readers. One can imagine Estrild as a modern day feminist and Varick a scientist. Even though the reader learns the fate of  the characters, there is no narrative discussing their actual deaths. Lowry is a fabulous storyteller, and elementary and middle school libraries will not want to miss this one.

Historical Fiction

MG – The Midnight Children

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Gemeinhart, Dan. The Midnight Children. Henry Holt & Co., 2022. 978-1-250-19672-9. $16.99. 352 p. Grades 4-8.

Ravini Foster never has had a friend. Growing up in Slaughtersville is difficult. The town is a miserable place filled with miserable people, many of whom make their living at the slaughter house in the center of town. Ravi, an only child, is lonely. He delights in the woods, and birds, and the adult characters in his small town, but his greatest wish is to have a friend. Picked on by the town bullies, unathletic, unable to connect with his exhausted father, Ravi yearns for something to change. Then one night, unable to sleep for loneliness, Ravi sees something he isn’t supposed to see. A family of seven children move into the abandoned house across the street in the dead of night. There are no adults with them. Ravi’s curiosity gets the better of him, and with persistence, patience, and small, but exceedingly kind gestures, Ravi is able to earn the trust of Virginia and her siblings. Discovering the mysterious secret behind Virginia’s family life puts Ravi in a curious position. He is thrilled to finally belong somewhere but now must help his new friends remain a family. Ravi never has been prone to taking risks or accepting leadership, but friendship and belonging help him to see a different side of himself. The Midnight Children is darkly funny in the vein of Lemony Snicket but with an emotional and serious message about the nature of friendship and the meaning of family.

THOUGHTS: A stunning middle grade novel that is an absolute delight to read aloud.

Realistic Fiction          Anne McKernan, Council Rock SD

MG – Gallant

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Schwab, V.E. Gallant. Greenwillow Books, 2022. 978-0-062-83577-2. 337 p. $18.99. Grades 6-8.

Gallant introduces the reader to Olivia Prior, a girl who lives at Merilance and spends her days reading her mother’s journal, avoiding the other girls who bully her, and catching the attention of the ghosts who are still at Merilance. One day, she is told that someone has written for her and she will be going to a place called Gallant. When she gets there, life is not as wonderful and perfect as she thinks it is. She finds that her cousin, Matthew doesn’t want her there, repeatedly tells her that as well as trying to convince her to leave and tells her that his father wrote her that letter, but he’s now dead. However, now that Olivia has found the house that her mother grew up in, she won’t leave until she figures out what is going on. But Gallant has lots of secrets, and she will have to fight not only her cousin, but the supernatural to figure out what happened to her mother.

THOUGHTS: This is a great spooky, creepy book for the fall season. The main character Olivia is very strong willed and I think she will appeal to a lot of readers. Highly recommend this new V. E. Schwab addition to any middle school collection.

Mystery        Mary McEndree, Lehigh Valley Regional Charter Academy
Horror

YA – Over My Dead Body

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Boo, Sweeney. Over My Dead Body. HarperAlley, 2022. 978-0-063-05631-2. 240 p. $24.99. Grades 7-10.

It’s not easy being a foundling, as Abigail Younwity knows all too well. On top of having no family of her own and being named after the Younwity Hidden Institute of Magic where she’s a student, Abigail knows that foundlings are especially vulnerable to the ghosts that haunt the untamed woods surrounding the school grounds. When Abigail’s friend Noreen disappears, Abigail knows that the forest holds the answers. On a hunt for information, she discovers a journal hidden in the hollow of a tree; it belonged to another student who vanished without a trace almost a century ago. The school administrators demand that Abigail leave the search to the Coven, but she can’t give up on finding the closest thing she has to a sister. Meanwhile, the Institute is preparing for the Samhain festival, when “the veil between the world of the dead and the living is at its thinnest,” and evil spirits are apt to strike. Time to find Noreen clearly is running out. Assisted by a handful of trusted friends and armed with some helpful spells, Abigail will risk expulsion, or worse, to solve this mystery.

THOUGHTS: Written and illustrated by Sweeney Boo, this vibrant graphic novel is pure witchy fun from start to finish, while also incorporating some weightier issues such as possessive friendship. Fans of Sabrina (in all its incarnations) and Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Srerle will love it!

Graphic Novel          Amy V. Pickett, Ridley SD

Elem./MG – Northwind

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Paulsen, Gary. Northwind. Farrar, Straus, Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2022. 246 p. 978-0-374-31420-0. Grades 4-6. $17.99.

In his final book, Paulsen, the master craftsman of adventure fiction, has created another engaging survival story. Set along an unnamed northern coastline, this novel is reminiscent of Hatchet, but set hundreds of years earlier. Leif is a twelve year old orphan boy pressed into service as a mate on a seal hunting ship. Before the ship heads further north to find more seals, Leif and five others are left behind at a fish camp to catch and smoke salmon for the return voyage. Instead of their own ship, a vessel full of men dying from cholera appears and contaminates the camp, leaving Leif as the sole survivor of the deadly illness. Remembering the words of his deceased mentor, Old Carl, the boy heads north in a canoe and his first task is to find a burial site for Little Carl, another child from the ship. After nearly being ambushed by a bear, Leif quickly learns that he needs to develop skills in order to survive. After honing his abilities catching fish, making fires, and cooking, he begins to carve a storyboard that tells the story of his many adventures, which draws him closer to the mother he never knew. Leif observes a pod of orcas hunting for salmon, which leads to a frenzied battle between the ravens and eagles for leftovers. He is amazed by the beauty of the glaciers and the whale feeding dance in the bay. The boy nearly drowns in a whirlpool, but later is able to overcome strong waves by observing some dolphins. Soon Leif realizes that he is no longer the orphan boy that he was. His world, once confined to the bowels of a ship, has enlarged and he feels joy about exploring it more before returning to the world of man. In the author’s note, Paulsen explains that the novel’s coastline is based on his own experiences sailing up the California coast as well as in the fjords of Norway.

THOUGHTS: The detailed descriptions of the setting and Leif’s actions put readers into an immersive experience of the sights and sounds of a whales’ feeding frenzy, a menacing whirlpool, calving glaciers, friendly dolphins, and more. This page turner will appeal to fans of Gary Paulsen and to any reader who enjoys a book with a lot of action. This is an essential purchase for all elementary and middle school libraries.

Adventure Fiction          Denise Medwick, Retired, PSLA Member