Orphanland by Lauren Fischer

Orphan of the Opioid Crisis Shines in Page-Turning Mystery, Both Heartwarming and Heartbreaking, for Upper Middle Grade and Teen Readers

Traverse City, MI—Much has been reported about America’s opioid epidemic, from overly aggressive marketing to the resulting abuse, addiction, and catastrophic death toll. In her role as a science editor at The Journal of the American Medical Association, Lauren Fischer was familiar with the science and the stats of the crisis but felt a critical view was missing—how it was affecting children. In Orphanland (Mission Point Press, November 12, 2025), Fischer presents the story of eleven-year-old Willa, an orphan of the crisis, in a hopeful coming-of-age mystery for upper middle grade and teen readers.

Orphanland

Willa has lived at the Southern Ohio Children’s Home since her mother died of a drug overdose. She loves the safety and sense of belonging the old mansion in her rural town provides and hopes she’ll never have to leave. But the shelter is struggling to stay afloat, and its future is uncertain as Mercy, the facility’s director, struggles to keep the doors open. When Kacey, a nonbinary teen kicked out by their parents, arrives at the home, they and Willa discover a hidden set of diaries that reveal their town’s dark history and family secrets that could change the children’s future—for better or worse.

Love, Loss, & Hope

When developing Orphanland, Fischer originally intended to write a broader story about residential schools for children. That exploration led to a different question: what would life be like in a matriarchal society? Finally, recognizing she does her best work when writing stories grounded in reality, Fischer turned her focus to the opioid epidemic. “I was passionate enough about learning more that I decided to write about it, creating a loving home for children affected by the crisis that sits in contrast to an abandoned boarding school for juvenile delinquents.”

Fischer also incorporated elements from other news stories she was following, such as a child in a residential home who wasn’t orphaned in the traditional sense, but rather was abandoned by parents who rejected their nonbinary identity. “Kacey’s storyline became increasingly important as I wrote more and more drafts,” Fischer said. “Also, using Willa’s voice was pivotal in making the story age appropriate. An eleven-year-old is better equipped to explore tough subjects like loss, privilege, social justice, and resilience with young readers than I am—I really relied on her voice and her point of view. I tried very hard not to have her sound like a little adult. There is fun in the story too, especially when she and Kacey are in cahoots finding the hidden diaries and the secret history of the town. It adds an element of discovery that I hope readers will love and will keep them turning the pages!”

With Orphanland, Fischer offers a story that blends mischief, tragedy, and hope to bridge childhood and adulthood, all while emphasizing that representation is more important than ever in books for children, especially in the face of rising book bans. “Windows and mirrors truly foster empathy and self-confidence,” Fischer said.

Advanced Praise

Advance praise for Orphanland from Rob Snow, producer of the forthcoming documentary series Burn the Script and CEO/creator of The Improvaneer Method:

“Lauren Fischer should be applauded for bringing a nonbinary teen character into the fold as well as a character with Down syndrome who is written as just another person in the house who is loved. Orphanland has strong messages about the differences each of us has and the benefits those differences bring.”

The Author

Lauren Bomberger Fischer was born and raised in Indiana, graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and lives in Chicago with her family and rescue cats. She edited many articles about the opioid epidemic while working as a science editor at The JAMA Network. She advocates for LGBTQ and disability representation in children’s fiction.

The Book

Orphanland

Lauren Fischer

304 pages, 5.5 x 8.5, B/W

Juvenile Fiction/Coming of Age, Social Themes, Drugs, Alcohol, Substance Abuse, Family, Orphans & Foster Homes

ISBN: 978-1-965278-76-5, $22.95 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-965278-77-2, $16.95 (Softcover)

Mission Point Press, November 12, 2025

Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other online retailers. On its November 12 publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold. For information or to arrange for signings and events, contact the author at lauren@laurenbfischer.com or www.laurenbfischer.com.

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