The Unadoptables by Hana Tooke

Synopsis:

In the autumn of 1886, Elinora Gassbeek, matron of the Little Tulip Orphanage discovers five new babies in most extraordinary circumstances:

One in a tin toolbox.

One in a coal bucket.

One in a picnic hamper.

One in a wheat sack.

And finally, one in a coffin-shaped basket.

Those babies were Lotta, Egbert, Fenna, Sem and Milou.

Growing up together, these five children know their individuality is what makes them so special - and so determined to stay together.

Then a most sinister gentleman appears and threatens to tear them apart. The gang decide to make a daring escape, fleeing the frozen canals of Amsterdam for an adventure packed with puppets and pirate ships, clock-makers and cruel villains - and with only a scrap of a clue to guide them.

But is their real home - and their real family - already closer than they realise?

The Unadoptables is one of the most interesting Middle Grade book I’ve read this year. Barring the fact that it touches on orphans, family and friendship themes, this book has kept my interest with its prose alone.

Tooke did a great job depicting the children’s various emotions when faced with the possibilities of having a family. Being orphans who have never experienced the love of their parents, that’s what they most wished for. Sem, who is convinced his parents abandoned him without a second thought, resented his parents. Milou, however, held hope that her parents only had to leave her at the orphanage for a helpless reason. Unlike the both of them, Egg, Lotta and Fenna are less fixated on their parents, and they are always hoping for an adoption.

Having no idea what the orphanages are really like in the 1800s, I really hope it isn’t as it was described in this story. The matron was cruel and unsympathetic, and definitely did not like kids. The lousy conditions in which these orphans live in, especially when the story is set during winter, only emphasized the struggles these children go through every day. I would rather prefer orphanages to be something out of Madeline instead of like this here, but somehow, I think the real world is less empathetic of these children then many of us thought. I really do hope orphanages of today’s world would be better, and that children wouldn’t be forced into helpless situations like these five kids in the story.

What I loved about this book is how the five children stuck together no matter what. They thought of each other, and made sure they helped each other. Their teamwork and separate skills and strengths helped them overcome so many difficulties. Even though Milou and Egg had a moment of weakness, they turned back to each other in the face of danger, and that’s priceless friendship right there! Sem is the most vocal about how their parents couldn’t possibly come back for them for they had already abandoned them, yet he kept these opinions to himself and supported Milou when she searched for her hope. These tiny showcases of friendship may be trivial, but when we ask ourselves if we could support our friends in whatever they do, even if we think it was hopeless, how many times would we actually keep those thoughts to ourselves?

I absolutely loved Fenna as well. She didn’t have any lines within the story, but her expressions are easily read and understood! And the owl is adorable! The way they were raised had given them an intense sensitivity to the loneliness of any other living things, even little animals, not to mention it was a cute little owl 😊

The children’s resourcefulness are what really shook me. When they needed an adult, they made a puppet father. When they needed money, they made and sold handmade dolls. When they needed a lot of money, they opened a puppet theatre and even managed to add in an advertisement to lure Milou’s parents to the show. They were creative, but came up with ideas completely feasible, and that frankly amazes me. I don’t think I could do any better in their situation.

What I loved about the story was the ending. Milou seemed to have found her family, but her grandfather didn’t want to stay, and her aunt wasn’t exactly the relation she was looking for. But the last scene was amazing. Tooke kept it open-ended, but it was lovely and touching. Not to mention a little magical as well. Honestly…who even keeps and communicates with a wolf?

I really hope there is a part 2 to this story! I loved it and want to know the story of the other children. I also want to know the full backstory of Milou’s father!

All in all, the ratings are:

4/5

“And yet, there she stood, as brave as a warrior, with the sole purpose, no doubt, of giving Milou a moment to gather herself before their entire plan fell to bits.”