Oddfellow's Orphanage

Oddfellow’s Orphanage

By Emily Winfield Martin

2012 (January)

e-galley (144 pages)

Summary: What do an onion-headed boy, a child-sized hedgehog, and a tattooed girl have in common? They are all orphans at Oddfellow's Orphanage! Author/illustrator Emily Martin has fleshed out the world of Oddfellow's with an episodic story that follows a new orphan, Delia, as she discovers the delights of her new home. From classes in Cryptozoology and Fairy Tale Studies to trips to the circus, from Annual Hair Cutting Day to a sea monster-sighting field trip, things at Oddfellow’s are anything but ordinary. (Amazon)

Review: Oddfellow’s Orphanage is a sweet and charming middle grade chapter book. It’s easy to read, has fun characters and a simple plot. Readers will enjoy the wonkyness of Martin’s world building without the length of similar books like the Mysterious Benedict Society series. The character back stories and fun illustrations give depth and a fun twist to the story. It’s quirky and fun; a very loveable first novel by Martin.

This is Emily Martin’s first novel

If you liked Oddfellow’s Orphanage you might also enjoy:  The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood and The Nathaniel Fludd series by R. L LaFevers and Kelly  Murphy

Author website: http://theblackapple.typepad.com/

Rating:

Writing: 4/4

Characters: 4/4

Plot: 4/4

Originality: 3.4/4

Popularity: 3/4

Cover: 4/4

Grade: M