Growing Up & Facts of Life
![Kelly Barnhill - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B001JRVGH4.jpg)
The Ogress and the Orphans
A new instant-classic fantasy about the power of generosity and love, and how a community suffers when they disappear, by Kelly Barnhill, winner of the Newbery Medal for The Girl Who Drank the Moon, a New York Times bestseller.
Stone-in-the-Glen, once a lovely town, has fallen on hard times. Fires, floods, and other calamities have caused the people to lose their library, their school, their park, and even their neighborliness. The people put their faith in the Mayor, a dazzling fellow who promises he alone can help. After all, he is a famous dragon slayer. (At least, no one has seen a dragon in his presence.) Only the clever children of the Orphan House and the kindly Ogress at the edge of town can see how dire the town's problems are.
Then one day a child goes missing from the Orphan House. At the Mayor's suggestion, all eyes turn to the Ogress. The Orphans know this can't be: the Ogress, along with a flock of excellent crows, secretly delivers gifts to the people of Stone-in-the-Glen.
But how can the Orphans tell the story of the Ogress's goodness to people who refuse to listen? And how can they make their deluded neighbors see the real villain in their midst?
Stone-in-the-Glen, once a lovely town, has fallen on hard times. Fires, floods, and other calamities have caused the people to lose their library, their school, their park, and even their neighborliness. The people put their faith in the Mayor, a dazzling fellow who promises he alone can help. After all, he is a famous dragon slayer. (At least, no one has seen a dragon in his presence.) Only the clever children of the Orphan House and the kindly Ogress at the edge of town can see how dire the town's problems are.
Then one day a child goes missing from the Orphan House. At the Mayor's suggestion, all eyes turn to the Ogress. The Orphans know this can't be: the Ogress, along with a flock of excellent crows, secretly delivers gifts to the people of Stone-in-the-Glen.
But how can the Orphans tell the story of the Ogress's goodness to people who refuse to listen? And how can they make their deluded neighbors see the real villain in their midst?
Editorial Reviews
"An exquisite fantasy tale … Whether you've been counting the months, weeks and days or are brand-new to Barnhill's sharp, word-perfect prose and classical yet fresh storytelling, you're going to love this standalone fantasy.
-BookPage, "2022 Preview: Most Anticipated Children's Books"
"As exquisite as it is moving."
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"The reader is immediately tossed into this fantasy … The Mayor is a fantastic (though loathsome) villain, oozing charisma and evil in equal measures … . It is fortunate that her tinkering with fairy tales and fables helped open a path to this novel that champions kindness in a very dark world."
-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
"Barnhill's gift for storytelling immediately draws readers into this character-driven tale where dragons lurk, crows prove great friends, and an unusual narrator relays events with a unique perspective. These fairy-tale trappings cloak modern lessons and timeless ideals that readers will do well to take to heart, no matter their age."
-Booklist (starred review)
"Newbery Medalist Barnhill incorporates ancient stories, crow linguistics, and a history of dragonkind into an ambitious, fantastical sociopolitical allegory that asks keen questions about the nature of time, the import of community care, and what makes a neighbor."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A delightful tale with dragons, ogres, and orphans that is sure to have readers turning pages to see what happens next. … Characters from the town of Stone in the Glen are well developed and engaging. … Well written and engaging, this title is sure to please readers of all ages as it teaches valuable lessons on acceptance."
-Youth Services Book Review
"Readers of all ages will love it. 5/5 stars."
-YA Books Central
Praise for The Girl Who Drank the Moon:
2017 Newbery Medal Winner
A New York Times Bestseller
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2016
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2016
"Impossible to put down . . . The Girl Who Drank the Moon is as exciting and layered as classics like Peter Pan or TheWizard of Oz."
-The New York Times Book Review
"A gorgeously written fantasy about a girl who becomes "enmagicked" after the witch who saves her from death feeds her moonlight."
-People
"With compelling, beautiful prose, Kelly Barnhill spins the enchanting tale of a kindly witch who accidentally gives a normal baby magic powers, then decides to raise her as her own."
-EW.com, The Best Middle-Grade Boo...
-BookPage, "2022 Preview: Most Anticipated Children's Books"
"As exquisite as it is moving."
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"The reader is immediately tossed into this fantasy … The Mayor is a fantastic (though loathsome) villain, oozing charisma and evil in equal measures … . It is fortunate that her tinkering with fairy tales and fables helped open a path to this novel that champions kindness in a very dark world."
-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
"Barnhill's gift for storytelling immediately draws readers into this character-driven tale where dragons lurk, crows prove great friends, and an unusual narrator relays events with a unique perspective. These fairy-tale trappings cloak modern lessons and timeless ideals that readers will do well to take to heart, no matter their age."
-Booklist (starred review)
"Newbery Medalist Barnhill incorporates ancient stories, crow linguistics, and a history of dragonkind into an ambitious, fantastical sociopolitical allegory that asks keen questions about the nature of time, the import of community care, and what makes a neighbor."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A delightful tale with dragons, ogres, and orphans that is sure to have readers turning pages to see what happens next. … Characters from the town of Stone in the Glen are well developed and engaging. … Well written and engaging, this title is sure to please readers of all ages as it teaches valuable lessons on acceptance."
-Youth Services Book Review
"Readers of all ages will love it. 5/5 stars."
-YA Books Central
Praise for The Girl Who Drank the Moon:
2017 Newbery Medal Winner
A New York Times Bestseller
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2016
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2016
"Impossible to put down . . . The Girl Who Drank the Moon is as exciting and layered as classics like Peter Pan or TheWizard of Oz."
-The New York Times Book Review
"A gorgeously written fantasy about a girl who becomes "enmagicked" after the witch who saves her from death feeds her moonlight."
-People
"With compelling, beautiful prose, Kelly Barnhill spins the enchanting tale of a kindly witch who accidentally gives a normal baby magic powers, then decides to raise her as her own."
-EW.com, The Best Middle-Grade Boo...
Readers Top Reviews
openmypages
"The world is filled with goodness, and our response should not be silence and suspicion. You have a responsibility to be grateful. You have a responsibility to do good as a result." --------------------- You know me, I love a good fairy tale with a nice moral. What I don't love is a socialist tome with an entirely heavy-handed commentary on politics and the distribution of wealth. If this had been 250 pages and focused on the Ogress and the orphans and the message of "don't judge a book by it's cover" and the importance of kindness. I would have given it 4 stars. That book was in there, but it was buried in socialist rhetoric and a Trump-esque mayor creating problems just to solve them and look like a hero. I loved the focus on literacy and the importance of books to build empathy and understanding. And the bond formed between the Ogress, all the animals and the children was beautiful and certainly something I think children could benefit from reading. The rest of it, I think would generally bore most kids and it only served to frustrate me. If I hadn't signed up for a book tour I would likely have DNFed this one. I think this one will appeal to some but not all. Have a good read of the synopsis and decide for yourself. Thanks to Algonquin for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.
Belle’s Middle Gr
Absolutely loved this! This has just beautiful, engaging writing. There’s a mystery narrator, & I just loved the flow of the storytelling so much. The characters are phenomenal. Even the ones you’re aren’t supposed to like, are written so well. The writing brings out such an emotional reaction-anger towards the not nice characters for example lol. I think there’s some excellent messages in here. Like not judging people on their appearances, differences, or anything really. Also, what it actually means to be a neighbor..& to be a GOOD neighbor. And we can blame the people “in charge”, that are running things, but we are responsible for our own actions in the grand scheme of things, & have to take responsibility. The orphans, Matron & Myron, & just EVERYTHING about Orphan House was amazing. The Ogress has my heart, & so do the crows(especially Harold), & Dog. I loved how it all came together, & just gave it a big old book hug! I will say, I did think some stuff went on & on a little much with the mayor & townsfolk. Just certain parts that gave me deja vu. Not sure if it was intended or not, but the mayor reminded me of our last president. Since I live in the US, & lived through that already, that might be why I thought that about certain parts. I read to escape. Lol & too much of that annoyed me-like it did in real life lol This is full of whimsy, life lessons, friendship, family, kindness & unkindness, depth, beautiful writing, & so much heart. Highly recommend! Loved this, & I’m so happy! STUNNING COVER that wraps around front to back by Yuta Onoda. And a BEAUTIFUL map inside as well! Not sure if the same illustrator did that too!💜
