Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star

Laura Noakes

Set in 1899 this new, beguiling adventure introduces us to Cosima Unfortunate, a disabled girl with a huge personality who lives at the Home for Unfortunate Girls.

Cos, together with her friends Pearl, Mary and Diya each have their own set of skills as well as differences or disabilities. The girls spend their days unpicking bits of rope planning mini heists, often for cake! When they discover that they are about to be adopted by Lord Francis Fitzroy, an explorer behind the Empire exhibition, the friends plot to steal his prized tiara and reveal his wicked intentions. Along the way, Cos also sets out to discover who her parents are.

With references to the position of Britain and the Empire and an exploration of how children need not be held back by disability, this is a story which will capture the reader’s imagination. The impossible becomes possible with Cos and we love her all the more for that.

Debut novel by Laura Noakes, this is the first in a series. It’s great to have a book with authentic disabled representation and we are very much looking forward to the rest of the series!

Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books (304 pages)

Reviewed by Rachel Bolton