Orphanland

<h2><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>Will dark secrets from a small town's past help orphans of the opioid crisis build a brighter future?</em></h2><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>Eleven-year-old Willa Johnson has been living at the Southern Ohio Children's Home ever since her mother died from a drug overdose. The old mansion provides a safe haven in her rural town for orphans affected by the opioid epidemic and Willa hopes never to leave-she loves learning her daily responsibilities and especially the facility's director Mercy. But the overburdened home is teetering on the edge of financial ruin as Mercy struggles to make ends meet. </span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>The newest resident of the home is Kacey a nonbinary teen who's been kicked out by parents who reject their identity. When Willa and Kacey discover a hidden set of diaries writte</span><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>n by Mercy's dead aunt they unintentionally dig up a dark history that will forever change the kids' future</span><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>-</span><span style=color: rgba(32 33 36 1); background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0)>for better or worse.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>With Willa as the unforgettable ringleader </span><em style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>Orphanland</em><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)> is a hopeful coming-of-age mystery set against the backdrop of the opioid crisis exploring themes of loss privilege social justice and resilience. Containing plenty of mischief alongside tragedy and hope </span><em style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>Orp</em><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>hanland</em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)> is perfect for upper middle grade and teen readers (grades 4-8; ages 10+) who enjoyed Sydney Dunlap's </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>Racing the Clouds</em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)> and Kenneth M. Cadow's </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(32 33 36 1)>Gather.</em></p>