The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill
Published by Algonquin Young Readers on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 1643750747
Pages: 392
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

This story has all the elements of a fantasy: ogres, dragons, orphan children, the ability to speak to animals and birds, and danger. It a great fantasy story, but look closer, read deeper, and one will see it has all the elements of society today: bigotry, needless hatred, greed, and the distrust of one’s neighbor. The setting is a small village with good-hearted people, a village anyone would love to live in until the library mysteriously burns down. Within what seems like minutes, a new mayor appears and though outwardly kind and caring, he plants the seeds of distrust and soon neighbor turns against neighbor.

Within this story is the story of a kindly ogress, the lone survivor of her village’s destruction. She quietly moves into the outskirts of the village. She is not seen or known until one of the orphan children goes missing and is found by the ogress. Her reward? She is accused of kidnapping the child and is threatened with being run out of town. What becomes of the town, its townspeople, and the mayor is up to the bravery of the orphans and the ogress. The book is a page-turner as a fantasy and, for older readers, a story ripe with discussion as to its inner meanings. Themes of good over evil, love and trust of neighbor, care of the needy, and seeing through facades make this a must read. It should be in every library and in every reader’s hand!

Reviewed by Kathy George, retired children’s librarian