Nobody's Daughter

Nobody's Daughter #1

by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Depicting an orphan's life at the beginning of the twentieth century, the story of eleven-year-old Emily Hasbrouck tells of life at the Austen Home for Orphaned Girls where tragedy leads to the triumph of courage and honesty.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction

154 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1995

About the author

Susan Beth Pfeffer was an American author best known for young adult and science fiction. After writing for 35 years, she received wider notice for her series of post-apocalyptic novels, officially titled "The Life as We Knew It Series", but often called "The Last Survivors" or "Moon Crash" series, some of which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Reviews

[VJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily's mother died giving birth to her baby sister. Emily's father, prostrate with grief, gave the baby away, blaming her for having caused the death of his beloved wife. Then, dad died. Emily was taken in by a maiden aunt and raised by her until her death. She was related to Emily's mother and thought poorly of Emily's father, who liked the drink a bit more than he should have.

After her aunt's death, Emily was placed in a privately-owned orphanage. She was only three when her mother died, and she never knew her sister. Emily found out about her sister after her aunt's death. She determined she would find her sister and, hopefully, be adopted by the same family.

I won't disclose the ending, but I was a bit disappointed by it. Nevertheless, it was a quick read and included one of my favorite topics, orphans. A faint spotlight is shown on libraries and literacy, which is always good, and the cruelty of girls of the upper-class are examined.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

gr 5-8 154 pgs

1913, New England. 12 year old Emily Hasbrouck has always been considered a burden ever since parents died. When the great aunt who took her in dies, Emily is alone and penniless since her great aunt decided to leave her money to the church and not to her. Emily is sent to live at the Austen Home for Orphan Girls and is told she should be greatful for it. Once there, Emily finds life miserable. The town girls call her a "hog" and torment her and everyone from the school teacher to the head of the Austen Home side with the town girls any time there is trouble. The town librarian is the only one who takes an interest in Emily and her dream of finding her sister. When tragedy strikes, Emily decides that somehow she must find her sister and the family that took her in...

The author does a good job of making the reader feel how hopeless and alone Emily feels. But the ending was very unsatisfying

[Shoshana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the sequel to this, Justice for Emily, as a kid, without knowing there was a book that came first. Although obviously there was, when you think about what happens in Justice for Emily. Ah, the blindness of childhood.

(Haha, could I be more pretentious?)

Anyway, Nobody's Daughter is really good. Emily is totally flawed but you're totally on her side; her friends are flawed but likable; the bad guys are totally totally hate-able; the mistress of the orphanage is nicely in the middle; the arc does NOT go where you think it's going to go (at least if you haven't read the sequel first); there's no real resolution but there is strength and hope.

A great middle-grade read.

I wish Susan Beth Pfeffer's 30 years worth of non-Last Survivors books were listed anywhere online. Because I would totes read them all.

[Caffeinated Fae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a depressing book for younger children. I found myself remembering the time that I read this book in 7th grade. The book is definitely written for children. It is definitely an emotional book. I remember crying in class while I was reading it.

This is one of the most depressing books that I have ever read. I felt the need to reread it to see if it really was as depressing as I remembered it, it was.

I finally decided that I needed to reread the book. Though the book did not give me the emotional reaction I had in middle school I did feel sorrow for the main character.

This is an anti-bullying book but it seems that it is more about how the rich will rule the world and the poor will be forced to walk in the streets.

[Jomariem · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was absolutely the most depressing children's book I have EVER read, and I do NOT recommend it for anybody! The poor girl just gets one hard knock after another, nearly every adult in the book and some of the other kids are very cruel to her, and there is no sequel to show that the child gets to be in a happy home later on (at the end, there is a HINT of a better life, but nothing more). After reading this book, I didn't even want to keep it, much less read it again. Simply horrible!

[Rojo · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok...kinda sad though

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy, this is bleaker than bleak. And an unexpected cliff-hanger ending. Now I have to find the sequel, in hopes of a little resolution.

[Rachel Jitsawat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first young adult book that made me cry. A touching story.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mattalyn 4th grade: I loved this book. A girl named Emily has no family after a lot of sad tragedies. She is sent to an Austen Home For Girls where she became an orphan. She doesn't like the rules and nobody believes a poor Austen Girl. When yet another tragedy strikes, she is determined to be taking in by her family who she had just recently found out about. When they refuse her, she is now determined to find someone who will love her. Read the book to find out. This book is an adventure for the character and it has a lot of emotion. Anger and sadness for example. I really did love this book and Emily.

[Stasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY HEART. 💔

Anyone interested in the Victorian era and orphanage life in the time period will enjoy this book. A short read with all the feels and blatantly honest about life as an asylum/orphanage child. So glad I happen to have the second book as well from the library so I don't have to wait to find out what happens next!!

[Debi Bourdette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the story. I didn't like the end. It almost seemed incomplete to me.

[Scenic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the style of writing.