Cosima or Cos, for short has never known any other life except the Home for Unfortunate Girls. She, like her friends, are deemed infirm, degenerate, and more politely – unfortunate. They may need a wheelchair, have anxiety and panic attacks, or just use a walking stick like Cos. They are in their matron’s words,

“…not to be seen and not to be heard.”

Most have family members outside the home, but for various reasons, including society rules, they are to be hidden away. The matron and her brother run the Home. The Stain siblings are hated by all their charges as they use any money meant for clothing, food, heating and education for the girls, on their own get-rich-quick schemes. Unfortunately, none of them pay off, leaving them, and the Home’s occupants even worse off.

Names are dropped as they arrive and numbers are given to the girls instead. Cos was left as a tiny baby many years before, earning the name – Number One. Cos has spent a lot of the time in the home wondering who left her there and why? Searching for clues over the years has revealed nothing of her past and no hope for her future. Still, Cos makes the most of it – always planning something to make life for her friends and herself better.

On one such escapade, (stealing cakes from the kitchen meant for an upcoming afternoon tea for wealthy ladies), Cos finally discovers a clue to her past. She also overhears plans afoot for many girls from the Home to be sent to a Lord Fitzroy. Her mind is spinning with both. Is the piece of cloth at the bottom of the bedroom chest really a clue from her family? And why would a Lord want unfortunate girls?

She is determined to learn more of her past, and save her friends from an uncertain fate. Others might believe they are infirm but little do they know that between them are inventors, artists, master planners and plenty willing to make the Stain’s life as difficult as they have made theirs.

But time is ticking, and Cos’ new plan is almost unthinkable. If it goes well, it will change all of their lives. If not, they may not even survive. With the help of a pickpocket-magician, an enigmatic stranger and more secrets Cos can shake her stick at, plans unfurl, unravel, catch fire, and reveal the truth.

Set in 19th century London, Cosima Unfortunate is a rollicking read. Beginning in a Victorian Home for girls who have been deemed disabled, it wasn’t long before I got to know and love Cos and her friends. They are far from disabled with sharp, clever minds, and are courageous and loyal to each other.

Cos grabbed my empathy early, as she wishes for a family she has never known. She is full of mischief and causes mayhem more often than planned, but that makes her all the more loveable as a character.

As the story builds, so does the mystery. Where is Cos’ family? Who is the enigmatic lady who visits the Home, and then the loud Lord Fitzroy too? What does the matron and her brother have in store for them, and what secrets are they hiding?

An incredibly brave heist raises the stakes, along with counting down the days before Lord Fitzroy takes them away to who knows where and why?

Note: The girls in the home are expected to spend their days Rope Picking. I wanted to know more about this Victorian punishment. Learn more here.

Author – Laura Noakes

Illustrator – Flavia Sorrentino

Age – 8+

(2023, Harper Collins, Action, Greed, Crime, Secret, Bullies, Family, Friendship, Mystery, Poverty, Historical, Girls Home, Get Rich Quick Schemes, Search for Family, Embroidered Map, Exhibition, Colonialists, Theft, Stolen Jewels, Engineering, Inventor, Inventing, Gadgets, Pick Pocket, Magic Tricks)