Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children

by Jen Storer

Dumped in the River Charon, hunted by an accursed river creature and betrayed by the wicked Matron Pluckrose, Tensy Farlow is in mortal danger. She has no parents. Worse still, she has no guardian angel.

When she is thrown into the Home for Mislaid Children – a gloomy orphanage where ravens attack, Watchers hover over your bed, and even the angels cannot be trusted – it seems that all hope is lost.

Yet could it be that a plucky, flame-haired orphan with a mysterious past is precisely what this dark world needs?

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult, Angels

348 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2009

About the author

Jen Storer grew up in a small country town in the Wimmera. She began her working life as a nurse. In the 1990s she returned to study, graduating from Monash University with first class honours in Literature. She has written many books for children including the best-selling Truly Tan series and the acclaimed gothic fantasy, Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children. She lives in Melbourne.

Reviews

[Leslie Golden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific kid-lit. The villains are horrid, the humans are good or bad as their natures dictate, the GAs show that the mind of a bureaucracy moves slowly, if at all, even in the Celestial Realm and Tensy Farlow herself is a heroine for the ages. Seriously, if you loved Joan Aiken's books as a child, if you loved hearing the prose of Roald Dahl read aloud, if you adore JK Rowling's sense of humor, pick up this marvelous gift from Australia. Tensy Farlow and her friends from the Home of Mislaid Children will tug at your heart strings long after you've closed the book.

[Jemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the author's writing style, the first chapter especially was amusing in the way it was written. But I didn't like the way she portrayed angels. They weren't really angels, the were just powerful beings. Other than that and a little coarse language (not to bad) I think it was a very well written story with an interesting twist on the classic 'cruel orphanage' story.

[Gretchen Bernet-Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abandoned in the River Charon as a baby, Tensy Farlow is found and raised by dear Albie Gribble until circumstances contrive to send her to a Gothic children’s home which is anything but homely. Tensy is a strong yet unusual protagonista with flame red hair. She makes friends with the other foundlings and workhouse orphans, but as if Watchers-in-the-night aren’t bad enough there is a swampy creature with an evil agenda—and Tensy’s name is top of the list.

A scary story for ages nine and upwards but personally I would not have read it at nine years of age. Or if I did, I would have had my fingers ready to peek through. But seeing as I was an adult when this story was written, it’s all a bit hypothetical really and jolly good fun.

The characters are both humorous and horrible, like despicable Matron Pluckrose, her assistant Mrs Beadle, foul Cook and very creepy buildings including a haunted chapel, loosely based on Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne where author Jen Storer had occupied a writing space.

Amidst the mayhem and dire food, there are nice people like GAs (guardian angels—although Tensy doesn’t have one) young Howard, Olive, good guys Guy and Magnus and… well, I think there were some other nice people. I did question the tenuous tying up of loose ends but over all it was a unique tale with atmospheric twists and turns, and a transcendental finale.

Jen Storer audio for writers https://soundcloud.com/girlandduck

[violet858 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was an exhilarating read with lots of twists and turns. The protagonist herself seemed quite adventurous, but the change in perspectives of chapters made me almost want to skip them so I could read my favorite perspectives.
I found Tensy, the main character, to be quite spiteful at times but I think that this made the novel better in a way. I also think that each of the characters had been thought out carefully and their characteristics easily distinguishable.
Overall, Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children was a book that excited me and made me want to keep on reading to the very end. I would recommend this to early secondary students and senior primary students interested in fantasy and myths.

[Ginger Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. I was really hooked from the get-go. I loved the scenes with Albie and I actually found myself totally invested in him and other 'non main' characters but not in Tensy. Every time I read about the angels I could not help but have images of 'A matter of life and death' (David Niven) in my head - there was a definite nod to this era of exploration of angels and the administrative duties of death. Terrific read. My 10-year-old gave it a double thumbs up. Thanks Jen.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a retro style with lots of English terminology, light on political correctness and leaning towards the Brothers Grimm, this story will entertain readers while giving them a bit of the creeps at the same time. But have no fear, it all ends well! I enjoyed the voice a great deal.

[Kesta Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story captivated me. Really enjoyed it.

[Maria Parenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful adventure, no matter how wretched at times. Thankfully more wonderful stories from this author for the next generation.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining gothic fantasy - perfect for those who like angels without sappy romance. Here the angels suffer in an eternally bureacratic system while a terrifying villain stalks the human world. The world building is meticulous and it's beautifully written, with distinctive characters voices and plenty of dry humour.

I was just a little disappointed in the lack of agency of many of the characters - too much of the plot depends on deus ex machinas - and I felt like I was waiting for the story to start for much of the book. There are many, many characters and multiple viewpoints, all of which create a lack of momentum in the narrative. Tensy herself never develops as a character or heroine in her own right and seems more of a catalyst the plot. It was a good read, but could have been even better, given the gripping storyline of The Accidental PrincessThe Accidental Princess.

[Dewi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introducing evil as the head of a corrupted orphanage. Because orphanages are evil. She sold Tensy to an unloving family in the name of greed, and received her back in the name of an even larger greed. On top of that, there is a fallen guardian angel, who sucks energy out from innocent children.

On the other side of the ring, there is Albie, who is the best foster father one could've ever ask for, and some guardian angels, a few who really cared. Then there was Tensy herself as a force of good and a strength to heal all evil.

There is adventure, suspense, a sparkle of dark promises, and potential. I found the premise interesting and the writer's voice original. There is a few let down with the plot. I expected it to rose much higher, but it felt like a watered down version of what could have been. Strangely, the few 'action' scenes lost me as I did not realise what was happening and had to re-read the paragraphs.

I read the book based on a review, I think the issue might just be that I'm a bit too old for it.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly written junior fiction. Jen Storer writes words you can just about eat like chocolate (in fact I prefer her words to chocolate) and her characters are fabulous... They put me in mind of some of the rich characters from the Russian literature that I read during my university days, particularly the short stories, where the character has to emerge larger than life within a brief number of words. I had the opportunity to go to a session with Jen Storer this coming Saturday to hear all about making interesting characters in fiction, but alas, life is getting in the way. I hope I get another opportunity one day.

[Megan Higginson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me intrigued from the first line, and held me in it's grasp to the very end. Well-paced, thought provoking, and a story with many layers - this story about guardian angels, mythical beings, good verses bad, while at the same time it turns commonly held beliefs on their heads. This one is a page turner.

[Fiona H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read in the style of Harry Potter or A Series of Unfortunate Events. I loved the characters and the plot moved along quickly with lots of quirky descriptions and events. I would recommend this for age 11+, it was scary in parts and there were a few references young children can do without (thinking as a K-6 librarian).

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like it! While this book is beautifully presented with short, accessible chapters I found the whole ghost/guardian angel theme irritating. Like Oliver Twist, Annie, Bindi Irwin and many children I've taught, Tensy Farlow was precocious and I could not take to her at all. As for the ending . . . . Let's just say I was glad to finally reach the last page!!!

[Michael Earp · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Shayla Bowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the better children's books that I have read. The author does not speak down to her audience, nor underestimates them. It was somewhat confusing in parts, and things could have been explained better, but overall it was a gripping, slightly creepy read.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I remember reading this in Year 6 and loving it. I really can't remember much of the book now. I only remember that this book was the start of my reading (Sadly I didn't read books till that age) and that Tensy Farlow was, to me, such a real and heroic little girl.

[Cami · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was pretty good, but very depressing, sad and sometimes very scary!!

[Joel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very different. It had fantas, mystry but the thing that made it a bit different was that to me it was a bit creepy.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book

[SL!NKY · Rating 1 out of 5]

horrible

[Eloise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very confusing and creepy

[Liam || Books 'n Beards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very creative, well written and a good read.

[Sara]

This book was good! It took me a long time to read though cause I wasn't really in to reading when I read this.

[Laetitia Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it! Was quite creepy at times!

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it!!!!!! Recommend it for everyone!!!!!! My librarian told me to read it and it was GREAT!!!!!!!!!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Absolutely gorgeous.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this thoroughly all the way through, but just felt the end was a bit flat. Today, another book by this author turned up for free at my work, an oversight by the supplier! Meant to be.

[Jess]

It was only alright