"Any enthusiasts of the Victorian era will be delighted by the attention to historical detail in this novel. . . . In addition, the use of Victorian slang and the skillful use of figurative language provide great authenticity to the way in which Orpha and the other characters interact with one another. Despite the seriousness of the topics of sexual abuse, poverty and prostitution featured in this story, the overall message is one of hope and transformation." Canadian Children's Book News
"[A] sophisticated, compelling and troubling work that will appeal to older teens, especially girls, and to adults who appreciate historical novels. . . . Thanks to her extensive research and skilled storytelling techniques, Virginia Frances Schwartz has depicted the plight of the Victorian poor with gritty realism. . . . older teens and adults will find it gripping." Canadian Review of Materials
"Orpha s narration is initially cool and detached as she observes the prison s routines and her fellow inmates roles with calm resignation, but flashbacks to her sexual abuse by her uncle are panicked and visceral, belying the trauma that lies underneath her composure. . . . Like many Dickensian tales, this gives an unflinching look at the poor and destitute of the Victorian era but also paints a picture of hope in charity and compassion. An author s note gives more historical information, and a glossary of period slang is included, as is a pointer to a source."The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"[Orpha's] struggle, colorful period detail, and the triumph of women so badly treated make for a fascinating read for those interested in women's history."Booklist
"Written in 20 chapters to mirror the installments in which Dickens released his novels, this atmospheric story is imbued with the sights, sounds, and smells (or more accurately, odors!) of 19th-century London's rookeries, or slums. Like Dickens, author Schwartz (Crossing to Freedom, 2013, etc.) evokes the moral and political forces of the time; readers, particularly Margaret Atwood fans, will find parallels to the present. This Dickensian #MeToo novel calls out the lingering need for women's rights." Kirkus Reviews
Virginia Frances Schwartz grew up in rural Ontario, Canada, but now lives in Queens, New York, where she taught writing in the public schools before devoting her career to her own writing. She is best known for her novels for young adults which have been ALA Best Books for YAs, and winners of multiple Canadian awards including the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction, the Ontario Silver Birch Fiction Award, the Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award, and British Columbia Red Cedar Award. Her work includes Crossing to Freedom and If I Just Had Two Wings. She teaches a creative writing course at UCLA Online.
