Review of "Dumb" Orphans

Chinazo Anozie · Post by **Chinazo Anozie** » 12 Jul 2025, 08:13

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of ""Dumb" Orphans" by Allan Low.]

5 out of 5 stars

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“Dumb” Orphans: The Bundu Bunch Trilogy by Allan Low is a book that follows a group of orphans from childhood to adulthood. Aiyasha, Sakhile, Langa, Jacob, Luke, Sipho, Jabu, and Elah are orphans who live in a village in the country of Initawse. The story is divided into three parts. Part One is told from Sipho’s perspective, while Parts Two and Three are told from Elah’s perspective, the youngest of the bunch. Despite their upbringing and limitations, the children are innovative and determined to survive as they band together against life’s challenges, including a selfish village head and his mischievous son. Find out how the orphans fare in this wholesome novel.

I immensely enjoyed “Dumb” Orphans: The Bundu Bunch Trilogy by Allan Low. I liked the pencil illustrations of the children and their environments. I certainly disliked Nkosi Meyego, the village head, as I found him to be awful; he was using the orphans for cheap labor. I was greatly impressed by the children’s initiative regardless of their situation. For example, Sakhile is curious, Langa is intelligent, and Jacob’s interest in animals is remarkable. The children are also innately smart, regardless of any formal education. I was so completely immersed in the plot and the author’s writing that I wondered if the book was based on a true story and if Initawse was a real place (I checked, and it isn’t!).

The only minor issue I can comment on is that I noticed a few errors that could have been avoided with an additional editing check. However, these errors didn’t detract from my reading experience and weren’t enough to remove a star. As a result, I happily rate “Dumb” Orphans: The Bundu Bunch Trilogy by Allan Low 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this engaging book to fans of young adult novels.

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"Dumb" Orphans
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Post by **Kutloano Makhuvhela** » 24 Jul 2025, 10:17

Thank you for writing this review. I enjoyed reading it. This seems like a good to be read out loud for children.

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 25 Jul 2025, 03:10

It is always amazing and really rare unless a story is completely exceptional for one to be so convinced that it is almost based on a true story. I am happy that the children have diverse abilities and are also innovative and ready to push on despite the obstacles on their path. My curiosity is piqued to know how they deal with the village head. Thanks for the review, @Chinazo Anozie.