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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Review originally published at: https://www.thenerddaily.com/review-the-unadoptables-by-hana-tooke/
The Little Tulip Orphanage is one of the worst orphanages in Amsterdam, run by the cruel and miserly Matron Elinora Gassbeek. Lotta, Egg, Fenna, Sem, and Milou have been there the longest of all the orphans and Gassbeek considers them ‘unadoptable’. Each was abandoned in a peculiar way – Lotta in a tin toolbox, Egg in a coal bucket, Fenna in a picnic hamper, Sem in a wheat sack, and Milou in a coffin-shaped basket – but they know that it’s their uniqueness that makes them special and they are determined to stay together. So when a chance to escape presents itself, they take it, fleeing across the frozen canals of Amsterdam into the countryside, fleeing from a sinister man who would treat them worse than Gassbeek and towards clues to a possible home. But is their real home already a lot closer than they thought?
Shortlisted for the 2018 Bath Children’s Novel Award, Hana Tooke’s debut novel has been praised by Children’s literature heavyweights, such as Robin Stevens, Katherine Rundell, and Emma Carroll, and emerging talents including Cerrie Burnell, and it’s easy to see why. The Unadoptables is a delightful historical adventure and a testament to the power of friendship and family. The story is set in nineteenth century Amsterdam, and Tooke, who is half Dutch, brilliantly evokes both the city itself with its narrow streets and tall, crowded-together townhouses, and also the countryside with its patchwork quilt of fields, canals and windmills. Adding another layer to this is the season; winter adds a feel of wonder and enchantment to the countryside and subtle undercurrent of unease and menace to the city, changing appropriately as the characters move between them and enhancing the atmosphere of any scene be it action or contemplative.
But of course, the real stars of the story are the unadoptables themselves. Consisting of Lotta (“the cleverest girl in of all of Amsterdam”), Egg (“the most talented boy in all of Amsterdam”), Fenna (“the sweetest girl in all of Amsterdam”), Sem (“the kindest boy in all of Amsterdam”), and Milou (“the bravest girl in all of Amsterdam”), all overlooked due to physical imperfections (Lotta is polydactyl for example) or prejudice (Egg is of Asian origin), they are an easy group to root for.
Tenacious and self-sufficient by necessity – first to survive the orphanage and then to stay one step ahead of Rotman (the shady “merchant” who regards them as his property) and the kinderbeauru, who, whilst more benevolent in their motivations, would surely split them apart. They are also fiercely loyal to one another; like a true family they support each other through bad times and good, helping each other to recognise their flaws as well as their virtues.
Though the book focuses mainly on Milou, the others are still rounded enough characters (the story ends in a good place for a stand-alone, but with enough threads that could be picked up if it were to become a series; if that were to be the case, I’d like to see the stories of the other orphans explored), and the villains – Gassbeek and Rotman – are evil and sinister enough to stay just on the right side of caricature.
Also deserving a mention are the illustrations. As can be seen from the front cover, Ayesha L. Rubio’s artwork is gorgeous, and gives everything a fairy-tale feel (with just an undertone of the gothic/Dickensian) which the illustrated chapter headings also add to. Sadly, it’s a little difficult to see them in their full glory in digital format, and so this is one book I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of!
To conclude, The Unadoptables is a warm-hearted and thrilling tale full of clockwork, puppets, and clues – as sensational as any of Milou’s bedtime stories.
The Little Tulip Orphanage is one of the worst orphanages in Amsterdam, run by the cruel and miserly Matron Elinora Gassbeek. Lotta, Egg, Fenna, Sem, and Milou have been there the longest of all the orphans and Gassbeek considers them ‘unadoptable’. Each was abandoned in a peculiar way – Lotta in a tin toolbox, Egg in a coal bucket, Fenna in a picnic hamper, Sem in a wheat sack, and Milou in a coffin-shaped basket – but they know that it’s their uniqueness that makes them special and they are determined to stay together. So when a chance to escape presents itself, they take it, fleeing across the frozen canals of Amsterdam into the countryside, fleeing from a sinister man who would treat them worse than Gassbeek and towards clues to a possible home. But is their real home already a lot closer than they thought?
Shortlisted for the 2018 Bath Children’s Novel Award, Hana Tooke’s debut novel has been praised by Children’s literature heavyweights, such as Robin Stevens, Katherine Rundell, and Emma Carroll, and emerging talents including Cerrie Burnell, and it’s easy to see why. The Unadoptables is a delightful historical adventure and a testament to the power of friendship and family. The story is set in nineteenth century Amsterdam, and Tooke, who is half Dutch, brilliantly evokes both the city itself with its narrow streets and tall, crowded-together townhouses, and also the countryside with its patchwork quilt of fields, canals and windmills. Adding another layer to this is the season; winter adds a feel of wonder and enchantment to the countryside and subtle undercurrent of unease and menace to the city, changing appropriately as the characters move between them and enhancing the atmosphere of any scene be it action or contemplative.
But of course, the real stars of the story are the unadoptables themselves. Consisting of Lotta (“the cleverest girl in of all of Amsterdam”), Egg (“the most talented boy in all of Amsterdam”), Fenna (“the sweetest girl in all of Amsterdam”), Sem (“the kindest boy in all of Amsterdam”), and Milou (“the bravest girl in all of Amsterdam”), all overlooked due to physical imperfections (Lotta is polydactyl for example) or prejudice (Egg is of Asian origin), they are an easy group to root for.
Tenacious and self-sufficient by necessity – first to survive the orphanage and then to stay one step ahead of Rotman (the shady “merchant” who regards them as his property) and the kinderbeauru, who, whilst more benevolent in their motivations, would surely split them apart. They are also fiercely loyal to one another; like a true family they support each other through bad times and good, helping each other to recognise their flaws as well as their virtues.
Though the book focuses mainly on Milou, the others are still rounded enough characters (the story ends in a good place for a stand-alone, but with enough threads that could be picked up if it were to become a series; if that were to be the case, I’d like to see the stories of the other orphans explored), and the villains – Gassbeek and Rotman – are evil and sinister enough to stay just on the right side of caricature.
Also deserving a mention are the illustrations. As can be seen from the front cover, Ayesha L. Rubio’s artwork is gorgeous, and gives everything a fairy-tale feel (with just an undertone of the gothic/Dickensian) which the illustrated chapter headings also add to. Sadly, it’s a little difficult to see them in their full glory in digital format, and so this is one book I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of!
To conclude, The Unadoptables is a warm-hearted and thrilling tale full of clockwork, puppets, and clues – as sensational as any of Milou’s bedtime stories.
Overall, I really liked this book. I think part of the charm was the integration of Dutch words, setting, and culture.
There are some scary parts and for that reason, I will suggest it be for kids age 10+.
There are some scary parts and for that reason, I will suggest it be for kids age 10+.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was such a fun, sweet, and thrilling read. Even though there are five main characters, the author makes the decision to focus the story through the POV of only one of them -and that decision really makes the story that much more impactful. If all the important points had been seen through multiple POVs, it would take away a good chunk of the emotional impact.
It did take me a little bit to get into the book, but once I did I really enjoyed the ride. My biggest criticism is that the villains and evil plot seemed pretty unnecessary. Whenever the villains went away, I completely forgot about them and focused more on the adventures of the children. And when the story brought the villains and evil plot back, I was impatient to get back to the rest of the story. The villains/evil plot just never felt essential to the actual book plot. It wasn't a terrible addition, it just didn't feel necessary to me.
Overall, though, I did enjoy this book and will definitely read it again.
It did take me a little bit to get into the book, but once I did I really enjoyed the ride. My biggest criticism is that the villains and evil plot seemed pretty unnecessary. Whenever the villains went away, I completely forgot about them and focused more on the adventures of the children. And when the story brought the villains and evil plot back, I was impatient to get back to the rest of the story. The villains/evil plot just never felt essential to the actual book plot. It wasn't a terrible addition, it just didn't feel necessary to me.
Overall, though, I did enjoy this book and will definitely read it again.
2.5 STARS!
This seemed like it would a fun read, but honestly it just bored me to death lol this wasn't for me.
This seemed like it would a fun read, but honestly it just bored me to death lol this wasn't for me.
Loved loved loved this mid grade book. Lovely story about friendship and family.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
A sweet story all about found and chosen family. It was recommended by the library app and it was delightful.
Sometimes the world is too terrible so you get lost in a children's book about orphans. Man if I had read this as a kid I would have been so sad it wasn't a series. It was so very perfect from the stereotype twisting of the kids characters, to the solving problems together, and of course to the recognition that family is not about blood but about who is there for you when everything looks and feels hopeless. I am promptly buying copies for my two favorite 9 year olds.