The Unadoptables

The Unadoptables

Five fantastic children on the adventure of a lifetime

Summary

"A compelling, gorgeously-written story about the power of friendship and the true meaning of family . . . perfection!" Robin Stevens, author of Murder Most Unladylike

"A high-speed, witty, absurd and joyful adventure." Katherine Rundell, author of Rooftoppers and The Good Thieves

The remarkable. The extraordinary. The brave.

Way back in the autumn of 1880, five babies are discovered at the Little Tulip Orphanage in most unusual circumstances. Those babies are Lotta, Egbert, Fenna, Sem and Milou.
The vile matron calls the children 'the unadoptables' but this talented gang of best friends know that their individuality is what makes them so special - and so determined to stay together.
When a sinister gentleman tries to get them in his clutches, the children make a daring escape across the frozen canals of Amsterdam, embarking on an adventure packed with pirate ships and puppets. But is their real home - and their real family - already closer than they realize?

"A corker of a story." Emma Carroll, author of Letters to the Lighthouse

"A book to absolutely fall in love with." Cerrie Burnell, author of The Girl with the Shark's Teeth

Reviews

  • A high-speed, witty, absurd and joyful adventure
    Katherine Rundell, author of Rooftoppers and The Explorer

About the authors

Hana Tooke

Hana Tooke grew up on a polder near Amsterdam, in a house filled with peculiar clocks and a head filled with a peculiar imagination. She's been a singer, a teacher, and even a mad-scientist, but these days she spends her days writing stories, sculpting puppets, and collecting curiosities. She lives in Bath with two humans, a cat, and a skeleton marionette.
Her debut novel, The Unadoptables, was shortlisted for the Bath Children's Novel Award and longlisted for the Branford Boase.
Learn More

Ayesha L. Rubio (Illustrator)

Ayesha L. Rubio was born in Madrid. She studied Fine Arts in Spain and England before beginning her work as an illustrator. She has three books of her own and has embarked on new adventures in the world of animation.
Learn More

More from this Author

Sign up to the Puffin newsletter

Stories, ideas and giveaways to help you spark young imaginations