92 pages • 3 hours read
Kelly BarnhillThe Ogress and the Orphans
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill is a children's fantasy story set in the town of Stone-in-the-Glen, where the kind Ogress secretly helps the residents with treats while the town's deceptive Mayor, a disguised dragon, manipulates them. The orphans, who never believe the false accusations against the Ogress, help her and the townspeople recognize her true benevolence, leading to community restoration and the eventual unmasking of the Mayor's deceitful nature.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Kelly Barnhill's The Ogress and the Orphans is highly praised for its lyrical prose, enchanting storytelling, and rich themes of community and kindness. Critics appreciate its timely social commentary, though some note a slower pace may deter younger readers. Overall, it’s a heartwarming tale that resonates with both children and adults.
Who Should Read The Ogress and the Orphans?
Readers who enjoy heartwarming tales with a touch of magic, similar to The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill or The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, will relish The Ogress and the Orphans. This book is perfect for fans of middle-grade fiction that combines fantasy with deep, emotional storytelling.