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Orphanland
Will buried secrets from a small town's past help orphans of the opioid crisis build a brighter future?
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 justic, and resilience. Containing plenty of mischief alongside tragedy and hope, Orphanland is perfect for upper middle grade and teen readers who enjoyed Sydney Dunlap's Racing the Clouds and Kenneth M. Cadow's Gather.
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 justic, and resilience. Containing plenty of mischief alongside tragedy and hope, Orphanland is perfect for upper middle grade and teen readers who enjoyed Sydney Dunlap's Racing the Clouds and Kenneth M. Cadow's Gather.
- GenresMiddle GradeChildrens
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 29, 2025
5 people are currently reading
3678 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Fischer
1 book34 followersLauren Bomberger Fischer was born and raised in Indiana, graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and lives in Chicago with her family and rescue cats. She edited many articles about the opioid epidemic while working as a science editor at The JAMA Network. She advocates for LGBTQ and disability representation in children’s fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 25, 2025
In a Nutshell: A contemporary upper-middle-grade mystery about a group of orphans and a bunch of secrets. Nice characters but not all sound their age. A good small-town setting but it could have been used better. Interesting themes but too many of them clutter the plot. Inclusive but preachy. Basically, a mixed experience for me, but I admire the heart behind this debut attempt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
This is a book that has its heart in the right place. Sadly, mere heart cannot ensure a memorable reading experience. The execution needed some finetuning. Most of my feedback is balanced across the positives and negatives.
Willa is an interesting lead in that she is aware of what she wants and also of her strengths and weaknesses. I loved her awareness of herself. However, she hardly ever seems her age in the book. Granted, children in tougher circumstances are often forced to grow up before their time, but there would still be some occasions when we can see the child in them. Not Willa, though. She always sounds like a much older teen. She also often acts on the assumption of “I know more than the adults in my life” and disregards several potential dangers and important instructions – never an inclusion I enjoy in children’s fiction.
Surprisingly, Willa’s narration feels very distanced. Given that the book is in first-person, I expected her emotions to resonate more strongly, especially when she revealed her own sad past to us. But somehow, these scenes felt more like a dispassionate reportage than a personal heartrending admission. The only part where her feelings came out genuinely was in her love for the children’s home and Mercy.
The same goes for Kacey as well, though in their case, their nonbinary gender identity offers a greater scope for inclusive discussions. I wish the other kids in the story also had stronger and lengthier roles, but they flit in and out of the narrative as needed. Given the cover, I had expected multiple children to be dominant in the storyline.
Mercy is probably the best character of the book for me. The Southern Ohio Children’s Home comes across as a caring and safe place for all its young residents, and as its head, Mercy is the best guardian and guide to these youngsters. I love how she is fair and kind but also disciplined. There are a few other appealing secondary characters as well. I also appreciate how the story doesn’t take the stereotypical route towards the portrayal of orphans and children’s homes, focussing more on the joys than on the tribulations of the kids.
The hidden diary subplot left me somewhat disappointed. The reveals were intriguing, I admit. But the mystery itself is lacklustre and its main reveal, disappointingly vague. Furthermore, as the diaries had been written by an older adult character, it contained several issues that don’t normally pop up in middle-grade novels and might not be age-appropriate. That said, I truly appreciate how Willa mentions that the diary contains several nondescript entries as well, but she was noting only the ones that were connected to the “mystery”. I have never read a book that acknowledged that a found diary also contains mundane entries. This is so much more realistic! I also love that the diary entries are formatted in an elegant calligraphy-like typeface that looks like actual handwriting. (I hope kids can still read cursive!)
The small-town setting is used fairly well in the plot, especially in the depiction of the residents and their knowledge of most past events. This lends to the plot a somewhat ‘historical’ feel, but this isn't necessarily a negative.
The biggest problem of the novel is what I have long called the ‘kitchen sink syndrome’, a common issue with debut novels trying to include every important theme under the sun into a single plot. This story incorporates several themes such as gender identity, drug abuse, parental abandonment, orphan experience, social discrimination, menstruation, indigenous land issues, first crush, abusive reform schools, and more. There’s a character preferring the they/them pronouns, a character using headphones to escape his mental demons, a character with Down Syndrome… Excellent representation, no doubt. But the count of topics is way too much for a single story, a middle-grade one at that! As such, the plot feels very cluttered.
Moreover, most of the themes are emotionally intense and socially oriented. So there is a lot of preachiness in the plot. After a point, it feels like the story is bombarding us with social awareness messages on everything from drugs to pronoun preferences. When there are too many points coming from a single story, the individual truisms lose their value. I wish the book had stuck to limited themes. Drug abuse and gender identity struggles are, by themselves, extensive topics. There was no need to add many more dark themes to the story. There are some really beautiful, thought-provoking lines in the story, but thanks to the heavy-handedness of the writing, their impact is diluted.
One of the included topics is a pet peeve of mine, so this point of feedback might not be for everyone: I absolutely hate it when young girls are told on their first menstruation that they aren’t girls anymore but women. The onset of the menstrual cycle might indicate a major biological milestone, but that alone doesn’t justify a girl to be called a woman. Changing the label to ‘woman’ puts different expectations and mental pressures on young girls who are still learning to understand the physical changes in their body. Let’s allow them to be girls who happen to menstruate, please.
Unfortunately, the editing also doesn’t work entirely in favour of the book. There are no typos, which I much appreciate. But Willa’s first-person narrative is too colloquial. This might be indicative of her ‘teen-ness’ and of the local vernacular, but I am not a fan of overly colloquial language in middle-grade fiction. Several children might consider such usage correct without realising that Willa’s grammar is faulty. There is also a lot of repetition in some phrases. For instance, the phrase "crisis in our community" to indicate the opioid issue comes up sixteen times over the course of the book. The most bewildering is Willa’s consistent use of the full name of “Southern Ohio Children's Home” almost every time she refers to the place – 99 times in all! If she genuinely loves the home and considers it her actual long-term residence, why isn't she simply calling it ‘home’? A final, relatively minor issue: I wish a ‘Meredith’ and a ‘Mercy’ weren’t key characters in the same book. Names beginning from similar syllables get confusing for me.
Overall, while there are several things this debut indie work does right, there are also several things it could have finetuned to make a better impact on me. I liked the characters and the intent, but the cramming in of too many themes and the slightly flat and unaddressed mystery ensured the lowering of my rating.
Officially, this is upper-middle-grade fiction (10-12 years). But given some troubling scenes and the drug-related abuse and death, this might work as a better option for older teens (12-15 years). Then again, teens do not like reading books in which the protagonist is much younger than them. So I don’t know if Willa’s age of eleven might turn some teens away from the book. This issue (and also the issue of Willa’s not sounding her age) could have been solved if Willa were said to be thirteen instead of eleven: just a change of two years but makes a big difference at that age.
Recommended to teens looking for slightly darker but inclusive storylines.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to the author and Mission Point Press for providing the DRC of “Orphanland” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
2019. Ohio, USA. Eleven-year-old Willa has been a resident of the Southern Ohio Children’s Home for four years, ever since her mom died from a drug overdose. Opioid abuse is a common problem in the community, and the Home is a haven for several “drug orphans” as well as other children in need. Willa hopes to always be at the Home, even though she gets in trouble at times. She loves the place, her teacher, her companions, and most of all, Mercy (the director of the Home). The newest resident of the Home is Kacey, a nonbinary teen who has been rejected by their parents for their gender identity. Willa and Kacey soon become fast friends. When the duo discover a secret diary written by Mercy’s late aunt, they stumble upon a dark history connected to the past of the Home and the town.
The story comes to us in Willa’s first-person perspective.
This is a book that has its heart in the right place. Sadly, mere heart cannot ensure a memorable reading experience. The execution needed some finetuning. Most of my feedback is balanced across the positives and negatives.
Willa is an interesting lead in that she is aware of what she wants and also of her strengths and weaknesses. I loved her awareness of herself. However, she hardly ever seems her age in the book. Granted, children in tougher circumstances are often forced to grow up before their time, but there would still be some occasions when we can see the child in them. Not Willa, though. She always sounds like a much older teen. She also often acts on the assumption of “I know more than the adults in my life” and disregards several potential dangers and important instructions – never an inclusion I enjoy in children’s fiction.
Surprisingly, Willa’s narration feels very distanced. Given that the book is in first-person, I expected her emotions to resonate more strongly, especially when she revealed her own sad past to us. But somehow, these scenes felt more like a dispassionate reportage than a personal heartrending admission. The only part where her feelings came out genuinely was in her love for the children’s home and Mercy.
The same goes for Kacey as well, though in their case, their nonbinary gender identity offers a greater scope for inclusive discussions. I wish the other kids in the story also had stronger and lengthier roles, but they flit in and out of the narrative as needed. Given the cover, I had expected multiple children to be dominant in the storyline.
Mercy is probably the best character of the book for me. The Southern Ohio Children’s Home comes across as a caring and safe place for all its young residents, and as its head, Mercy is the best guardian and guide to these youngsters. I love how she is fair and kind but also disciplined. There are a few other appealing secondary characters as well. I also appreciate how the story doesn’t take the stereotypical route towards the portrayal of orphans and children’s homes, focussing more on the joys than on the tribulations of the kids.
The hidden diary subplot left me somewhat disappointed. The reveals were intriguing, I admit. But the mystery itself is lacklustre and its main reveal, disappointingly vague. Furthermore, as the diaries had been written by an older adult character, it contained several issues that don’t normally pop up in middle-grade novels and might not be age-appropriate. That said, I truly appreciate how Willa mentions that the diary contains several nondescript entries as well, but she was noting only the ones that were connected to the “mystery”. I have never read a book that acknowledged that a found diary also contains mundane entries. This is so much more realistic! I also love that the diary entries are formatted in an elegant calligraphy-like typeface that looks like actual handwriting. (I hope kids can still read cursive!)
The small-town setting is used fairly well in the plot, especially in the depiction of the residents and their knowledge of most past events. This lends to the plot a somewhat ‘historical’ feel, but this isn't necessarily a negative.
The biggest problem of the novel is what I have long called the ‘kitchen sink syndrome’, a common issue with debut novels trying to include every important theme under the sun into a single plot. This story incorporates several themes such as gender identity, drug abuse, parental abandonment, orphan experience, social discrimination, menstruation, indigenous land issues, first crush, abusive reform schools, and more. There’s a character preferring the they/them pronouns, a character using headphones to escape his mental demons, a character with Down Syndrome… Excellent representation, no doubt. But the count of topics is way too much for a single story, a middle-grade one at that! As such, the plot feels very cluttered.
Moreover, most of the themes are emotionally intense and socially oriented. So there is a lot of preachiness in the plot. After a point, it feels like the story is bombarding us with social awareness messages on everything from drugs to pronoun preferences. When there are too many points coming from a single story, the individual truisms lose their value. I wish the book had stuck to limited themes. Drug abuse and gender identity struggles are, by themselves, extensive topics. There was no need to add many more dark themes to the story. There are some really beautiful, thought-provoking lines in the story, but thanks to the heavy-handedness of the writing, their impact is diluted.
One of the included topics is a pet peeve of mine, so this point of feedback might not be for everyone: I absolutely hate it when young girls are told on their first menstruation that they aren’t girls anymore but women. The onset of the menstrual cycle might indicate a major biological milestone, but that alone doesn’t justify a girl to be called a woman. Changing the label to ‘woman’ puts different expectations and mental pressures on young girls who are still learning to understand the physical changes in their body. Let’s allow them to be girls who happen to menstruate, please.
Unfortunately, the editing also doesn’t work entirely in favour of the book. There are no typos, which I much appreciate. But Willa’s first-person narrative is too colloquial. This might be indicative of her ‘teen-ness’ and of the local vernacular, but I am not a fan of overly colloquial language in middle-grade fiction. Several children might consider such usage correct without realising that Willa’s grammar is faulty. There is also a lot of repetition in some phrases. For instance, the phrase "crisis in our community" to indicate the opioid issue comes up sixteen times over the course of the book. The most bewildering is Willa’s consistent use of the full name of “Southern Ohio Children's Home” almost every time she refers to the place – 99 times in all! If she genuinely loves the home and considers it her actual long-term residence, why isn't she simply calling it ‘home’? A final, relatively minor issue: I wish a ‘Meredith’ and a ‘Mercy’ weren’t key characters in the same book. Names beginning from similar syllables get confusing for me.
Overall, while there are several things this debut indie work does right, there are also several things it could have finetuned to make a better impact on me. I liked the characters and the intent, but the cramming in of too many themes and the slightly flat and unaddressed mystery ensured the lowering of my rating.
Officially, this is upper-middle-grade fiction (10-12 years). But given some troubling scenes and the drug-related abuse and death, this might work as a better option for older teens (12-15 years). Then again, teens do not like reading books in which the protagonist is much younger than them. So I don’t know if Willa’s age of eleven might turn some teens away from the book. This issue (and also the issue of Willa’s not sounding her age) could have been solved if Willa were said to be thirteen instead of eleven: just a change of two years but makes a big difference at that age.
Recommended to teens looking for slightly darker but inclusive storylines.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to the author and Mission Point Press for providing the DRC of “Orphanland” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
November 11, 2025
EVERY BOOK IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT EVERY BOOK IS FOR SOMEONE.
I thank every early reviewer who has taken the time to read and review Orphanland. As I said to one reviewer, on its publication day (November 12, 2025), Orphanland will have a life of its own; the life of a book is that some people will get it and enjoy it, and others will not, and that is OK. (I would hope that only people who have actually read a book would share an opinion about it!) I thank the website Pending Plays in the UK (https://www.pendingplays.co.uk) for this thoughtful review:
A driving force behind my work is my belief that kids are smarter than we give them credit for. They see more than we like to think, and they are processing a very messy world. When you look outside your window, there is not one issue popping up on any given day, but many. In my writing, I do not shy away from this reality, even in a book written for kids. Rather, I represent the world as truthfully as I possibly can, based on my experiences and also on a lot of research.
IF YOU WROTE A BOOK FOR EVERYONE, THEN IT WOULDN'T BE FOR ANYONE.
"Representation matters" is more than just a hashtag. Representation of all types is crucial for young readers who are figuring out who they are. Windows and mirrors. Windows to see other peoples' perspectives, to build empathy, and mirrors to see a reflection of yourself, to know you are not alone. If representation is not included in books for kids, we do young readers a disservice. According to PEN America (https://pen.org/book-bans/),
IF A BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU, THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE.
My hope is, and always has been, that Orphanland will find its way into the hands of as many young readers as possible, including kids who need to feel safe, and kids who long to be seen.
__________
October 2025
Dear Reader,
When I was working as a medical editor for the American Medical Association from 1999-2019, the opioid epidemic unfolded before my eyes. As the statistics grew worse and worse, I kept thinking about the people behind the data. In particular, I kept thinking about the kids affected by the crisis. I started writing Orphanland, and soon the voice of Willa Johnson spoke to me so clearly inside my head. She is the driving force behind the story. I’m excited to share her voice with everyone soon!
Lauren Fischer
I thank every early reviewer who has taken the time to read and review Orphanland. As I said to one reviewer, on its publication day (November 12, 2025), Orphanland will have a life of its own; the life of a book is that some people will get it and enjoy it, and others will not, and that is OK. (I would hope that only people who have actually read a book would share an opinion about it!) I thank the website Pending Plays in the UK (https://www.pendingplays.co.uk) for this thoughtful review:
"Every so often, a book comes along that changes you as a person. 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."
A driving force behind my work is my belief that kids are smarter than we give them credit for. They see more than we like to think, and they are processing a very messy world. When you look outside your window, there is not one issue popping up on any given day, but many. In my writing, I do not shy away from this reality, even in a book written for kids. Rather, I represent the world as truthfully as I possibly can, based on my experiences and also on a lot of research.
IF YOU WROTE A BOOK FOR EVERYONE, THEN IT WOULDN'T BE FOR ANYONE.
"Representation matters" is more than just a hashtag. Representation of all types is crucial for young readers who are figuring out who they are. Windows and mirrors. Windows to see other peoples' perspectives, to build empathy, and mirrors to see a reflection of yourself, to know you are not alone. If representation is not included in books for kids, we do young readers a disservice. According to PEN America (https://pen.org/book-bans/),
"Our latest report, Banned in the USA: The Normalization of Book Banning, found that 6,870 books bans were enacted during the 2024-25 school year, across 23 states and 87 public school districts. And everywhere, it is the books that have long fought for a place on the shelf that are being targeted. Books by authors of color, by LGBTQ+ authors, by women. Books about racism, sexuality, gender, history. PEN America pushes back against censorship and the intolerance and exclusion that undergird it."
IF A BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU, THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE.
My hope is, and always has been, that Orphanland will find its way into the hands of as many young readers as possible, including kids who need to feel safe, and kids who long to be seen.
__________
October 2025
Dear Reader,
When I was working as a medical editor for the American Medical Association from 1999-2019, the opioid epidemic unfolded before my eyes. As the statistics grew worse and worse, I kept thinking about the people behind the data. In particular, I kept thinking about the kids affected by the crisis. I started writing Orphanland, and soon the voice of Willa Johnson spoke to me so clearly inside my head. She is the driving force behind the story. I’m excited to share her voice with everyone soon!
Lauren Fischer
September 18, 2025
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
The message is an important one; the execution, not so much a powerful one. It did not stir in me any emotion or anger, save for exhaustion for how so many storylines were running parallel to one another that I was not struggling to keep up, but I was trying to figure out which aspect I should exactly care about! 😵💫
I mean, I understand the relevance of shedding light on these matters, I do. ✋🏻
But this was stuffed! 🥙 Stuffed, I tell you, with so many different plotlines and themes that by the end, I was exhausted! It was trying to touch upon so many facets of how '… there will never be a time when the world is just, that it became difficult to empathize with any one of them.
It's set in 2019. I didn't feel it that way; I get how a fifty-year-old plus lady, who's running an orphanage with so many children wouldn't have the time to learn computers, but to keep it successfully running, wouldn't you want to find some means to upgrade, even if the money is tight? I did feel kinda old when the kids referred to 1998 as the last century!!! Such a reality check! 😭😭
“Sometimes getting in trouble is more trouble than it’s worth.”
The vibes felt imbalanced. The diary entries of an older liberal, forward-thinking woman, with her impassioned ideas felt at odds with Willa's --- not innocence, not even ignorance, but levels of understanding, which felt more like the words were meant for a much older audience, rather than the author's intended ten - fourteen year-olds. This felt more like a book meant for English class for a literary discussion, rather than well... I know it's not supposed to be easy reading, but it would be one that if I had checked out of the library, it would have taken me a while to finish it. 😕
It's not even to say that it made less of an impact on you because it doesn't concern you. Which I don't think is a very fair point of view. 🙎🏻♀️ As a reader we should be able to feel something and learn something and what to do about it. Here, it was all being dictated to me, rather than allowing the emotions to sway over me. At times it felt preachy and unfeeling, even though some sort of emotions should have stirred within me.
“But you’re yourself. Everyone is just their self.”
The unfairness of Kacey's circumstances, the heartbreak over Willa's mother's death, even Jack's past --- there was no heart to it. The tone did not allow any feeling to arise within me, which is sad and surprising. 🥺 I also was not a fan of much of Willa's sneaking around and hiding the journal entries from Mercy and Meredith. Elizabeth got a bit sidelined towards the end, but Kacey and Justin were an integral part of Willa's team and loyal friends to her.
The found family at Orphanland was very heartwarming; you could feel the trust and love and harmony, Mercy and her support system have worked hard to have their kids under their care feel safe and loved. 🫂 Willa's fear of having to leave was valid and heartfelt, along with how Kacey even felt safer in their presence, rather than with their parents, who they were facing difficulty with accepting them for as they were.
“All of us were children once. It’s an identity everyone shares. In fact, it’s the only identity we all share.”
The history around the juvenile delinquents also took too long to play into fruition, which left even the atrocities and injustice inflicted upon them less meaningful. It is not something I was unaware of, so maybe it was a less of a meaningful reaction. Even so, the way the mystery was built around it, it felt like it was something more horrific and shocking, that even when the tragic truth emerged, the impact felt glazed over. 😕
Also, on a side note, this was the first time I received an ARC, where the word ARC was literally splashed throughout the backdrop of the print. I understand the need to protect it, but it was very disruptive to the flow of the read. 🤷🏻♀️
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
“—their bravery reminds me that it is by remembering that we ensure past mistakes are not repeated.”
The message is an important one; the execution, not so much a powerful one. It did not stir in me any emotion or anger, save for exhaustion for how so many storylines were running parallel to one another that I was not struggling to keep up, but I was trying to figure out which aspect I should exactly care about! 😵💫
I mean, I understand the relevance of shedding light on these matters, I do. ✋🏻
But this was stuffed! 🥙 Stuffed, I tell you, with so many different plotlines and themes that by the end, I was exhausted! It was trying to touch upon so many facets of how '… there will never be a time when the world is just, that it became difficult to empathize with any one of them.
It's set in 2019. I didn't feel it that way; I get how a fifty-year-old plus lady, who's running an orphanage with so many children wouldn't have the time to learn computers, but to keep it successfully running, wouldn't you want to find some means to upgrade, even if the money is tight? I did feel kinda old when the kids referred to 1998 as the last century!!! Such a reality check! 😭😭
“Sometimes getting in trouble is more trouble than it’s worth.”
The vibes felt imbalanced. The diary entries of an older liberal, forward-thinking woman, with her impassioned ideas felt at odds with Willa's --- not innocence, not even ignorance, but levels of understanding, which felt more like the words were meant for a much older audience, rather than the author's intended ten - fourteen year-olds. This felt more like a book meant for English class for a literary discussion, rather than well... I know it's not supposed to be easy reading, but it would be one that if I had checked out of the library, it would have taken me a while to finish it. 😕
It's not even to say that it made less of an impact on you because it doesn't concern you. Which I don't think is a very fair point of view. 🙎🏻♀️ As a reader we should be able to feel something and learn something and what to do about it. Here, it was all being dictated to me, rather than allowing the emotions to sway over me. At times it felt preachy and unfeeling, even though some sort of emotions should have stirred within me.
“But you’re yourself. Everyone is just their self.”
The unfairness of Kacey's circumstances, the heartbreak over Willa's mother's death, even Jack's past --- there was no heart to it. The tone did not allow any feeling to arise within me, which is sad and surprising. 🥺 I also was not a fan of much of Willa's sneaking around and hiding the journal entries from Mercy and Meredith. Elizabeth got a bit sidelined towards the end, but Kacey and Justin were an integral part of Willa's team and loyal friends to her.
The found family at Orphanland was very heartwarming; you could feel the trust and love and harmony, Mercy and her support system have worked hard to have their kids under their care feel safe and loved. 🫂 Willa's fear of having to leave was valid and heartfelt, along with how Kacey even felt safer in their presence, rather than with their parents, who they were facing difficulty with accepting them for as they were.
“All of us were children once. It’s an identity everyone shares. In fact, it’s the only identity we all share.”
The history around the juvenile delinquents also took too long to play into fruition, which left even the atrocities and injustice inflicted upon them less meaningful. It is not something I was unaware of, so maybe it was a less of a meaningful reaction. Even so, the way the mystery was built around it, it felt like it was something more horrific and shocking, that even when the tragic truth emerged, the impact felt glazed over. 😕
Also, on a side note, this was the first time I received an ARC, where the word ARC was literally splashed throughout the backdrop of the print. I understand the need to protect it, but it was very disruptive to the flow of the read. 🤷🏻♀️
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2025
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads.
Orphanland is a nice coming-of-age middle-grade novel. I enjoyed the plot and found the main character to be lovable. I really enjoyed the themes it explored, but it spread itself too thin by trying to address so many different social issues all at once. I feel as if this may have been better written as a series, where each book progresses in these themes, allowing them to be explored on a deeper level.
I really liked the creepy abandoned school bits, but I wanted even more of it. We never really got explanations for why the abandoned school is unsafe for children, and feel that leaving out exploration of the school was a missed opportunity for the book.
The ending really got to me. I found it to be sweet and I really liked the character development we saw by the end of it.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy through LibraryThing's Early Review program. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Orphanland is a nice coming-of-age middle-grade novel. I enjoyed the plot and found the main character to be lovable. I really enjoyed the themes it explored, but it spread itself too thin by trying to address so many different social issues all at once. I feel as if this may have been better written as a series, where each book progresses in these themes, allowing them to be explored on a deeper level.
I really liked the creepy abandoned school bits, but I wanted even more of it. We never really got explanations for why the abandoned school is unsafe for children, and feel that leaving out exploration of the school was a missed opportunity for the book.
The ending really got to me. I found it to be sweet and I really liked the character development we saw by the end of it.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy through LibraryThing's Early Review program. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 22, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.
This was a moving, emotional book about tragedy, hope, and fighting for a better world. I easily immersed myself in the atmosphere and felt invested in the characters.
Willa, the main character, was a lovable narrator whose voice was believable as an eleven-year-old. I enjoyed reading the story from her perspective and seeing her frustration at the adults around her keeping secrets from her about things that could affect her life, and her desire to uncover the truth.
I appreciated how Kacey’s storyline was handled. As someone who is also nonbinary, I liked the discussions on gender and existing outside the binary of male and female. I also liked how hard the caretakers and children worked to help Kacey and to show them that they deserved to be loved as themself.
But I do feel like this book tried to address too many different things at once. It bounced from societal problem to societal problem touching on such things as drug addiction, unjust systems, transphobia, child abuse/neglect, corrupt corporations, and parental issues. It was a lot for one story and thus was at times difficult to get through. There were parts that I found somewhat slow or dull. There were quite a few different characters with storylines and sometimes it felt like too much.
Still, this book felt deeply necessary for the time we are in. It’s important never to forget the injustices of the world both current and in the past. I like how well that was addressed.
This was a moving, emotional book about tragedy, hope, and fighting for a better world. I easily immersed myself in the atmosphere and felt invested in the characters.
Willa, the main character, was a lovable narrator whose voice was believable as an eleven-year-old. I enjoyed reading the story from her perspective and seeing her frustration at the adults around her keeping secrets from her about things that could affect her life, and her desire to uncover the truth.
I appreciated how Kacey’s storyline was handled. As someone who is also nonbinary, I liked the discussions on gender and existing outside the binary of male and female. I also liked how hard the caretakers and children worked to help Kacey and to show them that they deserved to be loved as themself.
But I do feel like this book tried to address too many different things at once. It bounced from societal problem to societal problem touching on such things as drug addiction, unjust systems, transphobia, child abuse/neglect, corrupt corporations, and parental issues. It was a lot for one story and thus was at times difficult to get through. There were parts that I found somewhat slow or dull. There were quite a few different characters with storylines and sometimes it felt like too much.
Still, this book felt deeply necessary for the time we are in. It’s important never to forget the injustices of the world both current and in the past. I like how well that was addressed.
October 1, 2025
"As an advocate for depictions of belonging in children's books, I can say that Orphanland delivers. It is a hopeful story that at its heart is about people's desire and right to be seen in all their fullness. Through beautiful storytelling, Lauren Fischer effortlessly tackles topics that, while important to discuss, can be difficult to talk about in an age-appropriate way. Kudos." - Clothilde Ewing, author of Stella Keeps the Sun Up
August 27, 2025
Warning: This Book May Cause Sudden Outbreaks of Feelings
Well, well, well. Lauren Fischer has gone and done something truly diabolical with Orphanland—she's written a book about an 11-year-old orphan that somehow doesn't make you want to adopt every sad-eyed kid you see on the street. Instead, she's crafted something far more dangerous: a story that treats its young protagonist like an actual human being with agency. Revolutionary stuff, really.
Our hero Willa navigates the Southern Ohio Children's Home with the kind of wisdom that makes you wonder if maybe kids aren't just tiny drunk adults after all. Fischer tackles everything from family trauma to gender identity to the opioid crisis, which sounds about as fun as a root canal performed by caffeinated squirrels, but somehow she pulls it off without turning the whole thing into an after-school special.
The mystery of the abandoned Midlands Christian School lurks in the background like that weird smell in your fridge—you know something's not quite right, but you're compelled to keep investigating anyway. Fischer uses this intrigue as the perfect vehicle to explore deeper themes, proving that you can indeed have your narrative cake and eat your character development too.
What's particularly impressive is how Fischer manages to make every character feel real, even the ones who barely get a paragraph. It's like she's some kind of literary magician, pulling fully-formed personalities out of thin air. The children's home itself practically becomes a character, which is either brilliant storytelling or Fischer has some very concerning feelings about institutional buildings. (I'm going with brilliant storytelling.)
The book handles heavy topics with the kind of care usually reserved for transporting nitroglycerin or your grandmother's china. Fischer never talks down to her readers—a refreshing change in a world where many authors seem to think young people's brains are made of cotton candy and good intentions.
Orphanland is that rare beast: a book that respects both its characters and its readers enough to tell the truth, even when the truth is complicated, messy, and doesn't tie up with a neat little bow. It's engaging, thoughtful, and only occasionally makes you question your life choices (in a good way).
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Half a star deducted for making me care about fictional people again. Rude.
Well, well, well. Lauren Fischer has gone and done something truly diabolical with Orphanland—she's written a book about an 11-year-old orphan that somehow doesn't make you want to adopt every sad-eyed kid you see on the street. Instead, she's crafted something far more dangerous: a story that treats its young protagonist like an actual human being with agency. Revolutionary stuff, really.
Our hero Willa navigates the Southern Ohio Children's Home with the kind of wisdom that makes you wonder if maybe kids aren't just tiny drunk adults after all. Fischer tackles everything from family trauma to gender identity to the opioid crisis, which sounds about as fun as a root canal performed by caffeinated squirrels, but somehow she pulls it off without turning the whole thing into an after-school special.
The mystery of the abandoned Midlands Christian School lurks in the background like that weird smell in your fridge—you know something's not quite right, but you're compelled to keep investigating anyway. Fischer uses this intrigue as the perfect vehicle to explore deeper themes, proving that you can indeed have your narrative cake and eat your character development too.
What's particularly impressive is how Fischer manages to make every character feel real, even the ones who barely get a paragraph. It's like she's some kind of literary magician, pulling fully-formed personalities out of thin air. The children's home itself practically becomes a character, which is either brilliant storytelling or Fischer has some very concerning feelings about institutional buildings. (I'm going with brilliant storytelling.)
The book handles heavy topics with the kind of care usually reserved for transporting nitroglycerin or your grandmother's china. Fischer never talks down to her readers—a refreshing change in a world where many authors seem to think young people's brains are made of cotton candy and good intentions.
Orphanland is that rare beast: a book that respects both its characters and its readers enough to tell the truth, even when the truth is complicated, messy, and doesn't tie up with a neat little bow. It's engaging, thoughtful, and only occasionally makes you question your life choices (in a good way).
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Half a star deducted for making me care about fictional people again. Rude.
July 24, 2025
An inspiring tale of hardship, heartbreak, hope (yes, even when there's 3 babies named Hope from an overzealous nun), growth, and healing.
Orphanland, told from the perspective of 11-year-old Willa, not only depicts the hardships of being an orphan in many different regards, but also has a captivating mystery surrounding the now abandoned Midlands Christian School. Orphanland touches on troubling topics such as familial deaths, gender acceptance and identity, abuse, the opioid epidemic, and general coming-of-age struggles with care.
Each of the characters within the novel feel fully fleshed out and their own personalities are portrayed excellently, regardless of how often they are discussed within the text. It genuinely makes the operation that is Southern Ohio Children's Home feel as if it's its own character, living, breathing, and molding as the story progresses.
The overarching plot is genuinely captivating, and while being categorized as a "middle grade" novel, this is a novel that anyone of any age can enjoy, understand, and potentially resonate with.
The ending does leave you with a few questions, especially in regards to the Midlands Christian School, however I feel as though it ends exactly where it needs to. I would love to see a prequel that covers exactly what happens at Midlands.
This is the kind of novel I wish I had when I was Willa's age, a novel in which I could find myself. While I'm not an orphan in the traditional sense, I found myself relating to many of the characters within this novel. Kacey, however I found myself relating to the most.
This was read as an ARC via NetGalley.
Orphanland, told from the perspective of 11-year-old Willa, not only depicts the hardships of being an orphan in many different regards, but also has a captivating mystery surrounding the now abandoned Midlands Christian School. Orphanland touches on troubling topics such as familial deaths, gender acceptance and identity, abuse, the opioid epidemic, and general coming-of-age struggles with care.
Each of the characters within the novel feel fully fleshed out and their own personalities are portrayed excellently, regardless of how often they are discussed within the text. It genuinely makes the operation that is Southern Ohio Children's Home feel as if it's its own character, living, breathing, and molding as the story progresses.
The overarching plot is genuinely captivating, and while being categorized as a "middle grade" novel, this is a novel that anyone of any age can enjoy, understand, and potentially resonate with.
The ending does leave you with a few questions, especially in regards to the Midlands Christian School, however I feel as though it ends exactly where it needs to. I would love to see a prequel that covers exactly what happens at Midlands.
This is the kind of novel I wish I had when I was Willa's age, a novel in which I could find myself. While I'm not an orphan in the traditional sense, I found myself relating to many of the characters within this novel. Kacey, however I found myself relating to the most.
This was read as an ARC via NetGalley.
August 5, 2025
A powerful read. I thought it was beautifully written. It opened up my eyes to what other children may experience. It showed different sides to ‘befores’ and was a simple reminder of how lucky I am in my life to have what I have.
I believe it would be an enriching read for children to explore what life is like outside of their ‘bubble’ or it could be a reassuring read that they aren’t alone with their ‘troubles’. Including the fact that this is my first read that encounters non-binary characters. I feel like more of this is definitely needed because it wasn’t just thrown in, it was explained so well throughout - a well needed educational factor for our current and future generation of readers.
I believe it would be an enriching read for children to explore what life is like outside of their ‘bubble’ or it could be a reassuring read that they aren’t alone with their ‘troubles’. Including the fact that this is my first read that encounters non-binary characters. I feel like more of this is definitely needed because it wasn’t just thrown in, it was explained so well throughout - a well needed educational factor for our current and future generation of readers.
August 20, 2025
Orphanland by Lauren Fischer... Willa Johnson, an 11 year old orphan at the Southern Ohio Children's Home, can't seem to keep out of trouble. She loves Mercy, the woman who runs the home. In fact, she never wants to leave her or the home. This has been her one home since her last family member passed when she was 7. Her mom died by overdose from opioids. Her grands stepped in until they also passed. She feels deeply and some say she is understanding beyond her years. Most of the babies and children in the orphanage are there because their people died by opioid overdoses. One day, a new kid named Kacey is dropped off. Kacey, who is 13, identifies as they/them and their mom wants to send them to a religious conversion camp so their dad brought them to the orphanage to keep them safe. Willa and Kacey become friends and begin finding secrets in the home - old diaries hidden behind a secret wall and written by Mercy's aunt. There is an album for each year - but one year is missing and this begins the kids' search for more hidden secrets.
Great read! Plot twists! Young crushes! Unrequited love! Murder! And finally, the truth will be revealed!
Great read! Plot twists! Young crushes! Unrequited love! Murder! And finally, the truth will be revealed!
September 23, 2025
A sweet story about the difficulties of having family and a community in trouble. The characters are perhaps a bit stereotypical, but they are good people that you can mostly be friends with. Overall, a cozy book that has a happy ending. Reminiscent of books I read as a kid in the 1980s and 1990s with a modern touch.
August 4, 2025
Orphanland is a heartwarming tale of resilience and hope in the face of hardships no child should ever endure. Born from loss, a chosen family emerges—rooted in love, strength, and compassion. At the heart of it all is Willa Johnson, an inspiring character whose journey is a powerful testament to courage and the healing power of connection. This moving story will keep you turning pages as it reveals that the true meaning of life lies in love and the family we choose.
August 5, 2025
This was hard to read but worth it. The journey was heartbreaking but I am glad I read it.
Seeing the characters growth throughout the story and overcoming the things that aren’t in their control. It’s a book everyone should read.
Thanks to NetGallery and the Publisher for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.
Seeing the characters growth throughout the story and overcoming the things that aren’t in their control. It’s a book everyone should read.
Thanks to NetGallery and the Publisher for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 13, 2025
willa is 11 she lives in an orphan home her mother died from a drug overdoes there is a bad drug problem where they live so there are many children without parents mercy runs the home where she is alway struggling for money the children are told never to go pass the creek when willa and her friend find hidden diarys they read it and find the place they are not to go to was a home for delinquent boys that katharine who owns the diarys had shut down the boys were abused some died but there is a big mystery about it so willa and her friends go there a meet a man name jack who is making a memorial garden im gonna stop here because i dont want to ruin the story but this book was amazing not sure if this is the first book she wrote i hope its not the last would love to read more books by her well worth reading
August 22, 2025
As a teacher at an alternative high school, I've witnessed the carnage wreaked by the opioid crisis firsthand. I can't wait to put Fischer's incredible 'Orphanland' in the hands of students that need it the most. Not only is the subject matter hyper critical, but the book itself is a GEM! Willa, Kacey, and the facility's director, Mercy are fully realized characters and I could not get enough of them. This is exactly the kind of book I've been searching for, not just for my classroom, but for my own reading as well. Lauren Fischer has crafted a timely masterpiece, well done!
December 17, 2025
I absolutely loved this book, and I hope it reaches the kids who need this story even more than I did. Orphanland is set in a home for children who come from beginnings that are sad or scary for various reasons but who know who they are within their community of supportive adults. The main character, Willa, is a thoughtful and compassionate eleven-year-old girl who is still processing her past and does everything she can to help those she loves. Right from the start of the story, she feels like a friend pulling you along on an adventure, an adventure full of secrets and friendship and family.
The book opens with a new kid named Kacey coming to the Children’s Home after their parents kicked them out. In the library, Kacey and Willa discover a hidden bookshelf full of diaries from the house’s previous owner. Willa knows that there’s a secret past about the nearby property that no one is telling her, so Kacey and Willa together decide to try to figure it out for themselves. Of course, since they’re eleven years old, this all has to be kept secret from Mercy, who obviously cares about them but doesn’t want them to be kidnapped or such. It’s a lesson about knowing when to ask for help and about good people who make mistakes and adults who aren’t perfect, and there’s something so genuine and open about the writing that stuck with me as I was reading.
Orphanland handles darker themes like drug addiction and child abuse, but these are discussed thoroughly over the course of the book. The adults in the book, particularly Miss Samantha the teacher, don’t try to shield the kids from the issues that they become aware of. Instead, the adults give them room to express their thoughts and feelings and make choices for themselves. I remember being eleven, and I would have appreciated seeing a world where growing-up kids are viewed as deserving of information despite their age. I would however suggest checking content warnings before giving this book to kids since there are some topics or scenes that might require additional support.
Although Willa is a preteen girl, I believe that anyone could find some part of her that they see themselves in. I'm sad to leave these characters now that I've finished, and I hope that this book spreads to many people so I have a reason to return to it again soon.
This is the second book I am reviewing through NetGalley, and I am super grateful I found it and got the chance to read it.
The book opens with a new kid named Kacey coming to the Children’s Home after their parents kicked them out. In the library, Kacey and Willa discover a hidden bookshelf full of diaries from the house’s previous owner. Willa knows that there’s a secret past about the nearby property that no one is telling her, so Kacey and Willa together decide to try to figure it out for themselves. Of course, since they’re eleven years old, this all has to be kept secret from Mercy, who obviously cares about them but doesn’t want them to be kidnapped or such. It’s a lesson about knowing when to ask for help and about good people who make mistakes and adults who aren’t perfect, and there’s something so genuine and open about the writing that stuck with me as I was reading.
Orphanland handles darker themes like drug addiction and child abuse, but these are discussed thoroughly over the course of the book. The adults in the book, particularly Miss Samantha the teacher, don’t try to shield the kids from the issues that they become aware of. Instead, the adults give them room to express their thoughts and feelings and make choices for themselves. I remember being eleven, and I would have appreciated seeing a world where growing-up kids are viewed as deserving of information despite their age. I would however suggest checking content warnings before giving this book to kids since there are some topics or scenes that might require additional support.
Although Willa is a preteen girl, I believe that anyone could find some part of her that they see themselves in. I'm sad to leave these characters now that I've finished, and I hope that this book spreads to many people so I have a reason to return to it again soon.
This is the second book I am reviewing through NetGalley, and I am super grateful I found it and got the chance to read it.
December 10, 2025
Orphanland is a beautifully written and deeply meaningful coming-of-age novel that tackles real-world issues with honesty, compassion, and hope. Lauren Fischer delivers a story that feels both timely and timeless, shining a light on the children affected by the opioid crisis while celebrating their resilience, bravery, and capacity for growth. It’s a rare book that manages to be heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, and Orphanland does exactly that.
At the center of the story is Willa Johnson, an unforgettable eleven-year-old whose voice is full of strength, humor, and longing. Her life at the Southern Ohio Children’s Home, alongside the kind and determined Mercy, feels rich and real. You can sense how much the home means to her, and that emotional connection pulls you deeper into the story from the very first chapter.
The arrival of Kacey, a nonbinary teen navigating rejection and uncertainty, adds depth and tenderness to the narrative. The friendship that grows between Willa and Kacey is beautifully portrayed, supportive, genuine, and full of the small acts of kindness that make a found family feel truly special.
The discovery of Mercy’s aunt’s hidden diaries brings an engaging layer of mystery that keeps the pages turning. As Willa and Kacey uncover long-buried truths, the past mingles with the present in ways that challenge the characters but also offer hope for a better future.
Rich in emotion, grounded in social justice themes, and filled with moments of mischief, bravery, and healing, Orphanland is an exceptional read for middle-grade and teen audiences. A powerful and unforgettable story.
At the center of the story is Willa Johnson, an unforgettable eleven-year-old whose voice is full of strength, humor, and longing. Her life at the Southern Ohio Children’s Home, alongside the kind and determined Mercy, feels rich and real. You can sense how much the home means to her, and that emotional connection pulls you deeper into the story from the very first chapter.
The arrival of Kacey, a nonbinary teen navigating rejection and uncertainty, adds depth and tenderness to the narrative. The friendship that grows between Willa and Kacey is beautifully portrayed, supportive, genuine, and full of the small acts of kindness that make a found family feel truly special.
The discovery of Mercy’s aunt’s hidden diaries brings an engaging layer of mystery that keeps the pages turning. As Willa and Kacey uncover long-buried truths, the past mingles with the present in ways that challenge the characters but also offer hope for a better future.
Rich in emotion, grounded in social justice themes, and filled with moments of mischief, bravery, and healing, Orphanland is an exceptional read for middle-grade and teen audiences. A powerful and unforgettable story.
October 24, 2025
It is about Willa, a young girl living in a foster home/orphanage. She lost her grandparents and her mother was an addict who overdosed. She is the oldest of the kids (babies to ages around 11-12). There are several issues Willa is exposed to and/or feels she must take on, there are the questions of Mercy (the parent/caregiver) finding money to keep the home running, a new kid leaving their home as they are not safe with their mother (their father won’t stand up to her) who is nonbinary, a little crush of Willa’s, lies, several mysteries and the history of the opioid crisis and the company that caused the drugs to be out there. There is a lot packed together but in a form that is good for the aged 10 to 14 reader. There are bad things, but nothing that is inappropriate.
The one part that was heavy is the abandoned school for boys that is still on the property the orphanage is on. It gives a parallel to the now, and something to fight for and against but did make it feel a bit too much at times.
really liked the creepy abandoned school bus, but I wanted even more of it. We never really got explanations for why the abandoned school is unsafe for children, and feel that leaving out exploration of the school was a missed opportunity for the book.
The ending really got to me. I found it to be sweet and I really liked the character development we saw by the end of it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Author Lauren Fischer, Mission Point Press for the ARC for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚
#Netgalley
#LaurenFisdher
#MissionPointPress
#Orphanland
The one part that was heavy is the abandoned school for boys that is still on the property the orphanage is on. It gives a parallel to the now, and something to fight for and against but did make it feel a bit too much at times.
really liked the creepy abandoned school bus, but I wanted even more of it. We never really got explanations for why the abandoned school is unsafe for children, and feel that leaving out exploration of the school was a missed opportunity for the book.
The ending really got to me. I found it to be sweet and I really liked the character development we saw by the end of it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Author Lauren Fischer, Mission Point Press for the ARC for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚
#Netgalley
#LaurenFisdher
#MissionPointPress
#Orphanland
July 11, 2025
A powerful read full of heartbreak, hope, and healing.
Orphanland by Lauren Fischer is the kind of book that stays in your heart long after the final page.
Told through the eyes of 11-year-old Willa, this upper middle grade novel doesn’t shy away from hard topics like opioid addiction, identity rejection, and systemic neglect, but it approaches them with an abundance of compassion and care.
The Southern Ohio Children’s Home is more than just a setting. It’s a character in its own right, brought to life with rich detail and emotional weight.
You feel the heartbreak and the resilience of each child.
And the mystery at the center of the story—hidden diaries, a missing letter, a decades-old injustice—adds a layer of depth that ties the past and present together in a truly beautiful way.
Themes of chosen family, courage, and justice are threaded throughout.
I loved the way Lauren gave each child their own voice and story.
The “Forgetting Ceremonies” especially stood out—bittersweet moments of letting go that were symbolic and healing—-and eventually led each one to the knowledge that sometimes it’s also okay to remember.
The resolution was perfect: It doesn’t tie everything up in a neat little bow, but it is full of hard-earned hope.
While Orphanland may have comparable titles, it deserves its own spotlight. It’s perfect for thoughtful middle grade readers, teens, and adults alike. Highly recommend!
Orphanland by Lauren Fischer is the kind of book that stays in your heart long after the final page.
Told through the eyes of 11-year-old Willa, this upper middle grade novel doesn’t shy away from hard topics like opioid addiction, identity rejection, and systemic neglect, but it approaches them with an abundance of compassion and care.
The Southern Ohio Children’s Home is more than just a setting. It’s a character in its own right, brought to life with rich detail and emotional weight.
You feel the heartbreak and the resilience of each child.
And the mystery at the center of the story—hidden diaries, a missing letter, a decades-old injustice—adds a layer of depth that ties the past and present together in a truly beautiful way.
Themes of chosen family, courage, and justice are threaded throughout.
I loved the way Lauren gave each child their own voice and story.
The “Forgetting Ceremonies” especially stood out—bittersweet moments of letting go that were symbolic and healing—-and eventually led each one to the knowledge that sometimes it’s also okay to remember.
The resolution was perfect: It doesn’t tie everything up in a neat little bow, but it is full of hard-earned hope.
While Orphanland may have comparable titles, it deserves its own spotlight. It’s perfect for thoughtful middle grade readers, teens, and adults alike. Highly recommend!
September 22, 2025
Since her mother’s death by drug overdose, eleven-year-old Willa lives at the Southern Ohio Children’s Home where she has a penchant for uncovering secrets and finding trouble. As one of the kids who has stayed at the orphanage the longest, Willa loves the old mansion and its director, Mercy. When she discovers Mercy may soon run out of money and be forced to close the orphanage, Willa enlists some of the other kids to uncover the hidden past of the old house and the neighboring boys’ school.
Orphanland touches on a lot of important issues, perhaps too many – the opioid crisis, conversion therapy, child abuse, corporate corruption and social justice to name a few. I felt they were not explored deeply enough to hook me as a reader. I wish I had experienced these events through and with the characters rather than being told about them by Willa. While Willa is clever and has seen a lot in her young life, her narration felt a little too removed and emotionless for me. Additionally, the central mystery focuses on events from several decades before and Mercy’s current financial straits, wrenching the plot away from the vibrant lives of the orphans. Despite all the dire events, the story failed to touch my heart. Even when the Southern Ohio Children’s Home was on the verge of closing, I didn’t feel for the characters the way I would’ve liked.
Thank you to Mission Point Press and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.
Orphanland touches on a lot of important issues, perhaps too many – the opioid crisis, conversion therapy, child abuse, corporate corruption and social justice to name a few. I felt they were not explored deeply enough to hook me as a reader. I wish I had experienced these events through and with the characters rather than being told about them by Willa. While Willa is clever and has seen a lot in her young life, her narration felt a little too removed and emotionless for me. Additionally, the central mystery focuses on events from several decades before and Mercy’s current financial straits, wrenching the plot away from the vibrant lives of the orphans. Despite all the dire events, the story failed to touch my heart. Even when the Southern Ohio Children’s Home was on the verge of closing, I didn’t feel for the characters the way I would’ve liked.
Thank you to Mission Point Press and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.
October 10, 2025
I just plain enjoyed reading this book! For me it just brought back the nostalgia of being a kid. The thrill of discovery, exploration, breaking some rules, and building independence were well told and perfectly described. There were a lot of themes in this battling throughout the book, but that actually played more realistic to me as kids are constantly battling so many “themes” in life. Lauren Fischer did a great job exploring each and even pushing the envelope in gutsy ways that we can only hope will make each reader think hard on their own feelings about these issues. I did want there to be a bit more adventure or things to be afraid of at the abandoned school, but in the end, Lauren’s choice seemed to be the most realistic one where she didn’t feel the need to cross into any fantasy, thriller or supernatural elements.
I really wanted the satisfying ending that allowed for the hero and good people to win, bad people to lose and she gave it to us. Fun, emotional and powerful read for young adults and hopefully their parents. Hope to see more from Lauren Fischer.
I really wanted the satisfying ending that allowed for the hero and good people to win, bad people to lose and she gave it to us. Fun, emotional and powerful read for young adults and hopefully their parents. Hope to see more from Lauren Fischer.
November 4, 2025
I think that Orphanland suffers from trying to include too many heavy themes within a single story. There is also a repetitive nature throughout that can be a little distracting. A couple of examples are how Willa pretty consistently refers to the place where she lives as Southern Ohio Children’s Home. Full name every time. Not home or an acronym. Also the repetitive reference to the crisis in the community. Initially it feels like it is presented as a child saying something that they may have heard from an adult. But it is continually referred to in that manner. With that being said, I enjoyed the overall story. Including some of the heavier themes like loss of parents and opioids add depth to the story and characters. The mystery and ultimate resolution I found satisfying. One of the most poignant moments is towards the end where Willa tells the story of her mother. It was done really well and included emotion and strength.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 19, 2025
Orphanland is a deeply moving and thought-provoking coming-of-age story that tackles timely social issues with empathy and hope. Eleven-year-old Willa Johnson, living at the Southern Ohio Children’s Home after her mother’s death from a drug overdose, serves as a resilient and relatable protagonist. The book skillfully balances themes of loss, privilege, and resilience against the backdrop of the opioid crisis, while maintaining moments of mischief, friendship, and hope.
The narrative is enriched by the arrival of Kacey, a nonbinary teen whose struggles with acceptance and identity add layers of inclusivity and realism. The discovery of hidden diaries from Mercy’s deceased aunt provides a captivating mystery, connecting past secrets with present challenges. Lauren Fischer’s storytelling makes complex social realities accessible for upper middle grade and teen readers, while inspiring empathy, courage, and curiosity.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy socially conscious stories, character-driven mysteries, and narratives about friendship, justice, and personal growth.
The narrative is enriched by the arrival of Kacey, a nonbinary teen whose struggles with acceptance and identity add layers of inclusivity and realism. The discovery of hidden diaries from Mercy’s deceased aunt provides a captivating mystery, connecting past secrets with present challenges. Lauren Fischer’s storytelling makes complex social realities accessible for upper middle grade and teen readers, while inspiring empathy, courage, and curiosity.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy socially conscious stories, character-driven mysteries, and narratives about friendship, justice, and personal growth.
October 11, 2025
Lauren Fischer's "Orphanland" accomplishes a literary feat that parents everywhere will envy: entertaining middle-grade readers while adeptly teaching them about deep, difficult lessons of life. 11-year-old Willa navigates orphanhood, the opioid crisis, ill-treatment of the gender nonconforming, racism, and puberty all while unearthing a mystery, sneaking off campus with friends, having her first crush, and keeping a secret kitten in the closet. And though many may be frightened of the idea of exposing young children to the horrors of opioids, Fischer shows that approaching any subject with honesty and heart can be developmentally appropriate. But more than that, after multiple readings, I can whole-heartedly say "Orphanland" is a story to be enjoyed by young readers and their parents alike!
November 10, 2025
A heartfelt novel following an 11 year old girl named Willa, we see the world through her eyes as she lives in an orphanage in a small town that has been horribly affected by drug use. She ended up there after losing her mom and then her grandparents, and it's all she has in the world. But it's not what you'd expect. The kids and the owner of the home have become one big mismatched family, that would do anything for them to stay happy and safe. But when they run out of funding, there's a big storm looming over them, and everyone is scared to see what happens.
Check out my full review here! Posted 11/12/2025
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
Check out my full review here! Posted 11/12/2025
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
August 5, 2025
Orphanland covers some important and difficult subjects like transphobia, group homes/foster care situations, drug addiction, and death. A book like this for a younger audience is needed and I am glad it is available! The topics are talked about carefully through Willa's eyes, and there is enough detail to help readers understand why these are hard things, but not too mature that younger readers should be turned away.
While Willa's character was a tween, it often felt like it was an older teenager or young adult narrating.
The mysterious aspects of this book were intriguing, though it often fell flat.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
While Willa's character was a tween, it often felt like it was an older teenager or young adult narrating.
The mysterious aspects of this book were intriguing, though it often fell flat.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
November 29, 2025
Where do children go after losing a parent to drugs? Orphanland described the open door policy for children that were alone or just didn’t fit in with society. The story is told by Willa, her mom died from an overdose. Willa never knew her father and was raised by her elderly grandparents until they died. It was then that she was taken to the Southern Ohio Children’s Home where she lived with Mercy and other children that Mercy took in. The family unit they made for themselves was beautiful.
I loved the story and all of the characters were described in depth. It’s an easy read that will grip your heart.
Thank you Lauren for giving me the honor of reading an advanced copy.
I loved the story and all of the characters were described in depth. It’s an easy read that will grip your heart.
Thank you Lauren for giving me the honor of reading an advanced copy.
October 8, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
I appreciated that this one addressed the opioid epidemic in Southern Ohio, but there were some disconnects. The main character is on the young end of the middle grade spectrum, where the readers for this topic will mainly be older. The length is more suited to the older end of middle grade as well, but my students tend not to pick up books with characters younger than they are. There are some things that aren't explained as well as they could be. An interesting premise.
I appreciated that this one addressed the opioid epidemic in Southern Ohio, but there were some disconnects. The main character is on the young end of the middle grade spectrum, where the readers for this topic will mainly be older. The length is more suited to the older end of middle grade as well, but my students tend not to pick up books with characters younger than they are. There are some things that aren't explained as well as they could be. An interesting premise.
November 5, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Lauren Fischer for the ARC.
Trigger warnings are listed below this review.
Loved the story. These characters just grew on me.
Mercy's backstory was heartbreaking. Everyone's stories before they came to the children's home were sad.
Did feel like the end was dragging a bit, but i understand why the end was a little bit longer.
Wish i could share some of the quotes, but they'll come after 12th Nov.
Hope you guys pick up this book!
TRIGGER WARNING: Talks about Drug Abuse, Child Abuse and slightly mentions SA.
Trigger warnings are listed below this review.
Loved the story. These characters just grew on me.
Mercy's backstory was heartbreaking. Everyone's stories before they came to the children's home were sad.
Did feel like the end was dragging a bit, but i understand why the end was a little bit longer.
Wish i could share some of the quotes, but they'll come after 12th Nov.
Hope you guys pick up this book!
TRIGGER WARNING: Talks about Drug Abuse, Child Abuse and slightly mentions SA.
October 30, 2025
A powerful read full of heartbreak, hope, and healing.
Orphanland by Lauren Fischer is the kind of book that stays in your heart long after the final page.
Told through the eyes of 11-year-old Willa, this upper middle grade novel doesn’t shy away from hard topics like opioid addiction, identity rejection, and systemic neglect, but it approaches them with an abundance of compassion and care.
The Southern Ohio Children’s Home is more than just a setting. It’s a character in its own right, brought to life with rich detail and emotional weight.
You feel the heartbreak and the resilience of each child.
And the mystery at the center of the story—hidden diaries, a missing letter, a decades-old injustice—adds a layer of depth that ties the past and present together in a truly beautiful way.
Themes of chosen family, courage, and justice are threaded throughout.
I loved the way Lauren gave each child their own voice and story.
The “Forgetting Ceremonies” especially stood out—bittersweet moments of letting go that were symbolic and healing—-and eventually led each one to the knowledge that sometimes it’s also okay to remember.
The resolution was perfect: It doesn’t tie everything up in a neat little bow, but it is full of hard-earned hope.
While Orphanland may have comparable titles, it deserves its own spotlight. It’s perfect for thoughtful middle grade readers, teens, and adults alike. Highly recommend!
Orphanland by Lauren Fischer is the kind of book that stays in your heart long after the final page.
Told through the eyes of 11-year-old Willa, this upper middle grade novel doesn’t shy away from hard topics like opioid addiction, identity rejection, and systemic neglect, but it approaches them with an abundance of compassion and care.
The Southern Ohio Children’s Home is more than just a setting. It’s a character in its own right, brought to life with rich detail and emotional weight.
You feel the heartbreak and the resilience of each child.
And the mystery at the center of the story—hidden diaries, a missing letter, a decades-old injustice—adds a layer of depth that ties the past and present together in a truly beautiful way.
Themes of chosen family, courage, and justice are threaded throughout.
I loved the way Lauren gave each child their own voice and story.
The “Forgetting Ceremonies” especially stood out—bittersweet moments of letting go that were symbolic and healing—-and eventually led each one to the knowledge that sometimes it’s also okay to remember.
The resolution was perfect: It doesn’t tie everything up in a neat little bow, but it is full of hard-earned hope.
While Orphanland may have comparable titles, it deserves its own spotlight. It’s perfect for thoughtful middle grade readers, teens, and adults alike. Highly recommend!
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