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Orphans Genre

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Books in the Orphans genre:

The Lark in the Morn (1948)

Kit Haverard discovers she is meant to be a singer.

Author(s): Elfrida Vipont
Illustrator(s): T. R. Freeman

Mimff in Charge (1949)

Mimff’s parents adopt a little girl.

Author(s): H. J. Kaeser
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

Trigger John’s Son (1949)

Trigger is on his way to be adopted ‘on approval’ but decides to do some ‘approving’ of his own first.

Author(s): Tom Robinson
Illustrator(s): Robert McCloskey

Emily of Deep Valley (1950)

Emily lives with her grandfather and dreams of going to college. A novel worthy of the creator of Betsy and Tacy. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Maud Hart Lovelace
Illustrator(s): Vera Neville

Hidden Trapezes (1950)

Orphaned when his trapeze artist parents are killed, Rob wants nothing more than to be a flyer. But his uncle Ted wants him to have a normal life and takes him to stay with Mrs. Fatima, who runs a boarding house for circus performers. Read online at ... View More

Author(s): Edward Fenton
Illustrator(s): Reisie Lonette

The Lark on the Wing (1950)

Kit Haverard pursues her vocation as a singer in London.

Author(s): Elfrida Vipont
Illustrator(s): T. R. Freeman

Carnegie Medal
Carnegie Medal - 1950

The Armourer’s House (1951)

When her grandmother dies, Tamsyn is sent to London. There, she meets a strange old Wise Woman.

Author(s): Rosemary Sutcliff
Illustrator(s): C. Walter Hodges

Freddy Goes to the North Pole (1951)

Freddy and his friends start a successful animal tourism business but run into trouble on a trip to the North Pole to see Santa Claus, rescuing two children on the way. This book was originally published under the title More to and Again.... View More

Author(s): Walter R. Brooks
Illustrator(s): Kurt Wiese

Lisa and Lottie (1951)

When Lottie arrives at summer camp, Lisa discovers she has a double and it soon becomes apparent -- a twin! This book was the basis for the movie The Parent Trap.

Author(s): Erich Kästner
Illustrator(s): Walter Trier

Tim and Charlotte (1951)

Tim and Ginger rescue a little girl from the sea whom they name Charlotte. When her aunt Agatha turns up there is trouble. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): E. Powys Mathers
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

The Colonel’s Squad (1952)

A fictional account of an American Army Colonel who brings five Russian orphans home with him to America.

Author(s): Alf Evers
Illustrator(s): Helen Sewell

Nancy and Plum (1952)

Two orphaned sisters are sent by their uncle to a boarding school run on the lines made infamous by Dotheboys Hall and run away as soon as they can.

Author(s): Betty MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Hildegarde Hopkins

Treasure Trove of the Sun (1952)

Two orphans in northern Russia go cranberry-picking in a dangerous bog.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Mikhail Prishvin
Illustrator(s): Feodor Rojankovsky

Dream Days (1954)

Kenneth Grahame’s second volume of memories of childhood includes his story

The Reluctant Dragon. The illustrations are new, not reprints of the 1930 edition and were never used in any British edition.

Author(s): Kenneth Grahame
Illustrator(s): Ernest H. Shepard

The Golden Age (1954)

This second set of illustrations to Kenneth Grahame’s memories of childhood done by Ernest H. Shepard was only published in America. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Kenneth Grahame
Illustrator(s): Ernest H. Shepard

Madeline (1954)

In an old house in Paris
That was covered in vines
Lived twelve little girls …
The smallest one was Madeline.

Author(s): Ludwig Bemelmans
Illustrator(s): Ludwig Bemelmans

Mimff Takes Over (1954)

Mimff and his family help a Hungarian refugee boy find his mother.

Author(s): H. J. Kaeser
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

Santiago (1955)

A Guatemalan boy of Indian descent must decide on his future career.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Ann Nolan Clark
Illustrator(s): Lynd Ward

Junior Literary Guild
Junior Literary Guild - 1955

At the Back of the North Wind (1956)

Diamond is befriended by the North Wind who takes him on magical journeys.

Author(s): George MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Ernest H. Shepard

Madeline and the Bad Hat (1956)

When Pepito the Spanish ambassador’s son moves in next door he disrupts the lives of the orphelines. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Ludwig Bemelmans
Illustrator(s): Ludwig Bemelmans

Freckles (1957)

Orphaned and maimed, Freckles' bitterness about his fate is lessened when he is hired to guard a stretch of lumber in the wild Limberlost and, after meeting the beautiful "Swamp Angel", he determines to find out about his past. Read online at ar... View More

Author(s): Gene Stratton-Porter
Illustrator(s): Ruth Ives

The Happy Orpheline (1957)

Brigette gets left behind in the cemetery when the orphanage is on an outing and meets the wife of the Dauphin. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Natalie Savage Carlson
Illustrator(s): Garth Williams

The Warmhearted Polar Bear (1957)

Whitey is a polar bear who is tamed by a ship’s crew and doesn’t want to go back to the rough life of the arctic -- so he heads for Florida.

Author(s): Robert Murphy
Illustrator(s): Louis Slobodkin

The Family Under the Bridge (1958)

A homeless man meets a family of three children, their mother and their dog camping on his spot under a bridge over the Seine and ends up adopting them all. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Natalie Savage Carlson
Illustrator(s): Garth Williams

Newbery Honor Book
Newbery Honor Book - 1959

Madeline and the Gypsies (1958)

Pepito and Madeline join a gypsy circus.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Ludwig Bemelmans
Illustrator(s): Ludwig Bemelmans

While Mrs. Coverlet was Away (1958)

Mrs. Coverlet is called away to care for her daughter and the three Persever children are left in charge of themselves as their father is in New Zealand.

Author(s): Mary Nash
Illustrator(s): Garret Price

A Brother for the Orphelines (1959)

When Josine finds a baby boy in the bread basket, the orphelines do not want to give him up to the boys’ orphanage. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Natalie Savage Carlson
Illustrator(s): Garth Williams

Madeline and the Gypsies (1959)

Pepito persuades Madeline to run away with a gypsy circus.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Ludwig Bemelmans
Illustrator(s): Ludwig Bemelmans

The Nine Questions (1959)

Willie sets out to seek his fortune with his watch, his feather cap, a silver whistle and a feather bag. Along his journey he learns the answers to the nine questions which will allow him to find his father and assume his rightful place in the kingdo... View More

Author(s): Edward Fenton
Illustrator(s): C. Walter Hodges

The River at Green Knowe (1959)

Three children are invited to spend the summer at Green Knowe - they must be able to swim - and explore the river. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): L. M. Boston
Illustrator(s): Peter Boston

Terrible, Horrible Edie (1960)

Edie wants to be included in her older siblings plans, but ends up making her own adventures. The family’s summer by the shore comes to a climax with a hurricane - and it isn’t Edie. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): E. C. Spykman
Illustrator(s): Unknown

Mrs. Coverlet’s Magicians (1961)

The Toad is not at all pleased when Miss Eva Penalty takes over for Mrs. Coverlet, and he intends to do something about it.

Author(s): Mary Nash
Illustrator(s): Garret Price

Snow on Blueberry Mountain (1961)

Mark Wilkins decides to see if he can make his father’s ‘folly’ into a money-making business by building a ski run. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Stephen W. Meader
Illustrator(s): Don Sibley

Runaway Girl (1962)

Orphaned Joanne Mitchell is sent to stay with an aunt and uncle near the outback in Queensland. Finding no one home when she gets there, she decides to run away, pretend she is a boy, and find a job and place to live.

Author(s): Ruth Morris
Illustrator(s): Beth Krush

Moon Blossom & the Golden Penny (1963)

When they see the golden penny, all the Chinese merchants are eager to give Moon Blossom whatever she needs, and give her mother a new junk. But what is the golden penny? Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Louis Slobodkin
Illustrator(s): Louis Slobodkin

Magic Island (1964)

Orphaned girl, Angel Thorne goes on a voyage by clipper ship from New York to Barbados with an exciting winter spent there not only restore herself to complete health but to also give her new friends and her own special place. Read online at Internet... View More

Author(s): Madye Lee Chastain
Illustrator(s): Madye Lee Chastain

Timothy’s Song (1965)

A crippled newboy in the early 1800’s finds his reward in heaven for a life of sacrifice.

Author(s): William J. Lederer
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

The Taste of Spruce Gum (1966)

Libby and her mother move to Vermont from Illinois and start life over on Shrewsbury mountain. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Jacqueline Jackson
Illustrator(s): Lilian Obligado

Jessamy (1967)

Orphaned Jessamy slips back in time to 1914 and gets caught up in a mystery.

Author(s): Barbara Sleigh
Illustrator(s): Philip Gough

The Lark in the Morn (1970)

Kit Haverard discovers that she is meant to sing.

Read online at archive.org.

Author(s): Elfrida Vipont
Illustrator(s): Michael Lowenbein

The Lark on the Wing (1970)

Kit Haverard pursues her vocation as a singer in London.

Author(s): Elfrida Vipont
Illustrator(s): T. R. Freeman
Lynette Hemmant

Lucy Brown and Mr Grimes (1970)

Lucy Brown is befriended by Mr. Grimes.

Author(s): Edward Ardizzone
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

The Sea Islanders (1970)

Mother is dead, father is off to Antarctica on a scientific expedition, the aunt who was going to look after them during the long vacation has just telegraphed she is laid up in hospital. The children decide to go stay at their old sea island cottage... View More

Author(s): Joyce West
Illustrator(s): Joyce West

Abby (1973)

When Abby learns she is adopted, she asks her parents if they can adopt a brother.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Jeannette Caines
Illustrator(s): Steven Kellogg

Kisses and Fishes (1974)

Be careful what you wish for.

Author(s): Liesel Moak Skorpen
Illustrator(s): Steven Kellogg

The Midnight Kittens (1978)

Tom and Pamela live with their grandmother who suggests they feed the hedgehogs, but they discover the milk is being drunk by phantom kittens. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

The River Road (1980)

Orphaned Sarah comes to Te Waitere, an isolated New Zealand sheep station, and finds a home.

Author(s): Joyce West
Illustrator(s): Doreen Caldwell

Homecoming (1981)

Abandoned by their mother, four children begin a search for a home and an identity.

Author(s): Cynthia Voigt
Illustrator(s): Mark Harrison
Sharon Scotland

The Secret Garden (1986)

Mary is orphaned and sent home from India to her uncle’s estate. When she discovers Colin, their two tempers flare until they discover the garden and work with Dickon to bring it back to life. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Frances Hodgson Burnett
Illustrator(s): Michael Hague

At the Back of the North Wind (1989)

The son of a poor coachman is swept away by a radiant, maternal spirit with long, flowing hair.

Author(s): George MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Jessie Willcox Smith

Bye Bye Baby (1989)

The baby did not have a mommy so he set out one day to find one. And then he needed a daddy so they both set out to find one. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator(s): Janet Ahlberg

South Pacific (1992)

Adapted from the Broadway musical, this book tells the story of Nellie and Emile, Joe and Liat.

Author(s): James A. Michener
Illustrator(s): Michael Hague

Mad About Madeline (1993)

A compendium of all things Madeline from Madeline to Madeline’s Christmas.... View More

Author(s): Ludwig Bemelmans
Illustrator(s): Ludwig Bemelmans

Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales (1999)

Includes Madeline in America, The Count and the Cobbler: A Bemelmans Christmas Memory and Sunshine. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

My Brother’s Ghost (2000)

Orphaned by the death of their parents and bereft by the sudden death of their older brother Tom, nine-year-old Frances and three-year-old Harry are comforted by Tom's ghost, who helps them in difficult situations at home with their aunt and uncle an... View More

Author(s): Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator(s): Gillian Tyler

Adopted Jane (2002)

A young orphan girl spends the summer with two families, hoping that one will adopt her.

Author(s): Helen Fern Daringer
Illustrator(s): Kate Seredy

Bulldozer (2004)

Bill Crane has just graduated from high school when he and his friend Ducky Davis discover a Caterpillar D2 in a Maine Pond. Soon Bill has salvaged the machine and started a career as a contractor.

Author(s): Stephen W. Meader
Illustrator(s): Edwin Schmidt

A Blow for Liberty (2006)

Sixteen-year-old Jed Starbuck of Nantucket joins the crew of “The True Patriot” to fight the British at sea during the Revolutionary War.

Author(s): Stephen W. Meader
Illustrator(s): Victor Mays

Who Rides in the Dark? (2006)

Daniel Drew is heading west to seek his fortune when he gets caught up in the search for a gang of highway men.

Author(s): Stephen W. Meader
Illustrator(s): James MacDonald

The Complete Little Orphan Annie Volume One Daily Comics 1924-1927 (2008)

This is the first volume in the reprinting of the complete Little Orphan Annie comic strip and includes the daily strips from 1924-1927 as well as a few atypical Sunday strips that advance the plot.

Author(s): Harold Gray
Illustrator(s): Harold Gray

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