I am delighted to be taking part in the Random Things blog
tour for The Orphanage Girls today. I received a copy of this book as part of
the tour.
It’s 1910 Ruth lives at the Bethnal Green Orphanage in
London. From the outside it is a holy and respectable place that saves children
from a life on the streets, but on the inside it is a terrible institution that
preys on vulnerable children.
The children are only able to leave when they reach thirteen
years old and can go into a life of service. For twelve year old Ruth, this
time can’t come soon enough even though she has her friends Amy, Ellen and
Hettie. They all look out for each other, but things are getting worse and when
an incident leaves Ruth in terrible pain in the infirmary she knows that the
only hope for her, and for her friends, is if she can escape and make a better
life on the outside.
Ruth does manage to get away, but she finds that life as a
runaway on the streets of the East End isn’t that easy either and she needs her
wits about her to survive. Then, she meets Robbie, a young boy who also managed
to escape the orphanage. Together they are taken under the wing of Bett and
then later the kindly Rebekah who will do anything she can to help them. However,
the orphanage are hunting for Ruth, can she stay hidden and make a life for
herself at the same time?
This is a very moving book and he way that the children are
treated at the orphanage is heart breaking. The language and the way that the
characters are described is so vivid and well written that you feel like you
are there with Ruth and Robbie. All of the sights, sounds and smells are
vividly brought to life.
I loved this book and I am so glad that is the first in a
series. I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
5 stars
