In the era of Too, it is interesting, if disheartening, to read about the long history of social advocacy for girls and young women taken advantage of by men. In Victorian times, these "fallen" pregnated by a relative, driven into prostitution by poverty re often imprisoned. Among those working for reform was Charles Dickens. The story of the fictional Orpha, 16 and sentenced to Tothill Prison, is told alternately with (fictional) notes written by Dickens regarding the girl he sponsored for placement in Urania, a home for young women thought redeemable. Taught skills making them marketable as servants, Orpha and her housemates are destined to take jobs in the far-flung British colonies nada, Australia, and Tasmania. Orpha, who can read and appreciates literature, admires Dickens but is reluctant to tell him her full story of hard luck, rape, and incarceration after losing a baby. After all, she believes it is her story to tell. Her struggle, colorful period detail, and the triumph of women so badly treated make for a fascinating read for those interested in women's history.

Gr 10 Up-Set in Victorian England, this is the story of 16-year-old Orpha, an orphan wrongly imprisoned in Tothill. When the opportunity arrives to go to Urania Cottage, a home for fallen women to learn skills before emigrating to the colonies, Orpha decides to take the chance. During her time at Urania, Orpha is mentored by the mysterious Mr. Dickens who is eager to know all the girls' stories, though she is guarded in telling him hers. As she spends more time at Urania and develops relationships with those there, Orpha grows and learns to find her voice. As indicated in the preface, Tothill was a real prison and Urania Cottage was a real home supervised by Charles Dickens and founded by Lady Burdett-Coutts, who both appear in the story. Schwartz also shares that in homage to Dickens, she wrote this book in his 20 chapter style. This homage, however, causes the first half of the book to consist of long choppy chapters that bleed into short rushed ones in the second half. The overall theme of the story is different from other historical novels, which may make it appealing to some readers. Orpha shares her story about being raped by a family member, which may cause discomfort for some readers or trigger their own personal trauma. VERDICT Purchase only where historical fiction is popular. Amanda Borgia, Uniondale Public Library, NY