Reviews

The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill

lratkinson's review against another edition

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5.0

Listed on Mock Newbery 2023

jamilamoure's review against another edition

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4.0

It's a meandering, looping tale with lots of philosophizing and moralizing. I personally love meandering and moralizing, but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

firvida's review against another edition

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No era su momento. Lo dejo para más adelante.

kanncarlson's review against another edition

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4.0

Latest read-aloud book for my kid. It was nice. It gave me Secret Garden vibes in the way that descriptions were written. We started it when she was sick and really needed some calming vibes versus some of the more rambunctious reads we had going at the time. It was lovely.

It is a story about a town that was once lovely and now...not so much. There is a burned down library and a tricky new mayor. There are still beautiful bits about the town including titular Ogress and a house full of orphans. The reader watches as the town kind of tears itself apart and, eventually, comes back together.

This book felt like it could have been written in response to how things have been going in this country lately. I haven't looked at anything more in-depth about the book but the morals really tended toward not judging others based on information that you didn't gain for yourself or from a trusted source.

grahmnwc's review against another edition

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4.0

Thank god for the crows.

mpaice's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book! Beautifully written and rich with wisdom.

donnettacarter's review against another edition

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5.0

I don't even know where to begin. This book is beautifully imaginative. The parallels between this book and current events that are happening in today's world are eerie.
I have highlighted more passages in this book than any other I have read.
It spoke to my heart, and I am so sad it's over.

I fell in love with every single orphan, all 15 of them, and Harold. Harold will hold a special place in my heart forever.

eliseabril's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kermittuesday's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

It was a bit heavy-handed as middle grade books are wont to be but it was also just far longer than it needed to be. The audiobook narrator was excellent, she really differentiated between all the characters with the various voices she did. 

travismercante's review against another edition

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5.0

Rating considering it’s a children’s book(but only kind of!) 5/5. Beautiful reminder of our humanity and neighborliness. We are connected to the world and all those around us and this book gets to the heart of that