“She didn’t belong in a junkyard.” 

The first line of this book tells the whole story in one sentence. “She” didn’t belong in a junkyard. None of them did. 

In this interesting and compelling new story, author Jon Tilton invites middle-grade readers into a modern fairy tale about a girl who embarks on a hero’s journey in order to right a wrong. 

“Jane lifted the doll from the piled garbage. She had discovered toys before – some covered in grime, others tattered and torn, none worth keeping. But that was part of living in Yarborough Ridge. On an island of trash, everything had its flaws, most of them beyond repair.”

Until the end of the story, we don’t know why Jane and her friends are living as orphans on an island relegated only to trash. All we know is that they have no parents and no proper homes. There are few big people on Yarborough Ridge because no one seems to live that long. How the kids got there is also mostly unclear. But, they are there. Fending for themselves and making a life out of squalor. And someone who can do something about it knows that they are there. Every day, government-controlled robots arrive on the island to distribute food and water rations along with a heaping helping of cold, punitive law and order. No one can escape the island, and attempting to do so can be deadly. 

When a beautiful doll in perfect condition arrives on the island, Jane seizes it at once. Upon inspection, she notices a piece of twine tied around the doll’s neck with a tag that reads: “Please return to Gloria Thatcher, 1 Spring Blossom Way.” Jane reads the tag and knows what she must do: this beautiful doll must be returned to Gloria Thatcher at 1 Spring Blossom Way. A doll this beautiful and well cared for must be missed by her little girl, and Jane is determined to bring her back to her home. It never occurs to Jane that she doesn’t belong in a junkyard either. 

The journey to the mainland, what the children call “the Lands of Luxury,” is treacherous. And, once there, Jane has no idea how she will find 1 Spring Blossom Way let alone find her way back home to the junkyard. But, she is passionate about the need to restore this doll to the little girl who certainly must be missing her desperately. 

This book works. Jane is a young girl with a big heart and a healthy imagination. Many books make it to the junkyard, and Jane and her friends love the stories contained therein. The power in the good stories has taken root in Jane’s heart and mind, and she draws strength and courage from them as she embarks on this difficult quest. 

The story resolves with a twist that I utterly enjoyed. It was unexpected and well done. 

Families with sensitivity about adoption may appreciate the ending of this story. There is an unexpected adoption subplot that is nuanced and complex. Tilton shows us a more realistic picture of what adoption can look like and how hard it can be while still being loving and hopeful. 

The story ends at a natural ending point, but it is obvious that this could be a series starter. I would enjoy seeing how this story grows. 

I sincerely enjoyed this first offering from Jon Tilton and do hope that he will write more. The writing is solid, the story is interesting, the values are on point, and a series like this is refreshing! I enjoyed the audio, and I purchased the hardbound for our library. Purchasing the book directly from the author’s website means that the author sends the book (instead of Amazon fulfillment or something), and it is inscribed and sent with genuine TLC. Also, if you purchase it at the author’s website and use the discount code PLUMFIELD, you will receive 10% off. No affiliate link. Just a wonderful author offering a discount to our readers!