beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't really a true biography nor is it truly historical fiction. It really is a fictionalized account of Charles Dicken's childhood. Beautifully illustrated and reads well.
amynbell's review against another edition
After having read a disappointing children's book on Emerson, I found this one to be delightful. I love how it brings the setting into view from up above and slowly zooms in with the author asking the reader to find 12-year-old Dickens sitting in a doorway. Young Dickens is sad about the books he's had to sell and tired from a day's work in the factory. He spends the night alone writing. And the moment my child asks where young Dickens' parents are, we turn the page to find that they're in debtor's prison.
This story shows the world of the poor that Dickens gleaned from his life to write into his stories. It also shows the love of his family and the hope that Dickens was able to express in his writing. The illustrations are lovely, and the writing is perfect to tell young Dickens' story. I especially appreciated the 2nd person omniscient narrator taking us into Dickens' world for a small glimpse of some of the parts of his life that inspired [b:David Copperfield|58696|David Copperfield|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461452762s/58696.jpg|4711940] and others of his novels.
This story shows the world of the poor that Dickens gleaned from his life to write into his stories. It also shows the love of his family and the hope that Dickens was able to express in his writing. The illustrations are lovely, and the writing is perfect to tell young Dickens' story. I especially appreciated the 2nd person omniscient narrator taking us into Dickens' world for a small glimpse of some of the parts of his life that inspired [b:David Copperfield|58696|David Copperfield|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461452762s/58696.jpg|4711940] and others of his novels.
jshettel's review against another edition
3.0
A ficitonalized account of Charles Dickens's boyhood. Thought this author could've done more with the book, but perhaps a nice springboard.
ajacks's review against another edition
3.0
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org
nerfherder86's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful picture book story of Charles Dickens' childhood, working hard all day in a shoe polish factory while his father (and with him, Dickens' mother and siblings) stayed in debtor's prison, and how that in particular and his poverty in general shaped what he wrote as an adult. And why he championed the poor. Fictionalized, with dialogue (amusing scene in factory where he's asked to tell a story to a coworker kid, and then yelled at by the foreman). It gives an excellent introduction to 19th century London and its conditions for the poor, in a picture book format, in simple text for children of today. Nice pen and ink and acrylic illustrations, kind of cartoony but also reminiscent of 19th century illustrations--a mix of caricature and realism that just works well, lots of blacks and grays and warm tones. No sources or references, not a full biography, but a well-written story that draws readers in, in oral storytelling style, using phrases like "Come along, now" and "That mystery must wait for morning" etc. Really cool book.
melissarochelle's review against another edition
3.0
A fictionalized account of Charles Dickens' childhood. A good story about opportunity, dreams, and never giving up.
evamadera1's review
4.0
The illustrations by John Hendrix were the start of this book. Hendrix' art embodies the era of Dickensian England, that portrayed in Dicken's own novels. From the people, both living and ghost, to the streets and the jail, everything about Hendrix' art is a visual delight.
Hopkinson's narrative also does not indulge in too many obvious references to Dickens' various works as would have been quite easy to do. Instead, Hopkinson uses Dickens' own brief and somewhat vague autobiographical descriptions of this time in his life to create a story that Dickens himself just may have created.
Hopkinson's narrative also does not indulge in too many obvious references to Dickens' various works as would have been quite easy to do. Instead, Hopkinson uses Dickens' own brief and somewhat vague autobiographical descriptions of this time in his life to create a story that Dickens himself just may have created.
mmattmiller's review
2.0
As an adult who enjoys some Dickens stories, I enjoyed learning about young Dickens. I also loved the message on the last page. Do I think kids would enjoy it? Honestly? Not sure. Illustrations are kind of dark and some are a bit busy. Not knowing who Charles Dickens is, I'm not sure they'd care about this young boy that seems so far away (in time and location) from them. I'm not sure who the target audience of this one is. Not one I would buy or teach with, but I'm glad I read it and learned a bit about Dickens.
thepeachmartini's review
3.0
I think I am in the minority in that I actually liked the illustrations as they were - gritty, hard backdrops of buildings and marketplaces combined with the cartoonish features of the characters.
The age range on the book is a bit wide, in my opinion (4-9); I'd go for the higher age range as I think the way the story is presented is a bit more complex than your average picture book.
The images are quite beautiful - I spent several minutes on each page just taking in the sights. The writing is good, don't mistake me, but I think for a children's book it's a bit over the top (another reason I'd stick to the older age groups).
The story line is great subject matter and really gets you thinking about who Charles Dickens was, and how his stories came to be.
The age range on the book is a bit wide, in my opinion (4-9); I'd go for the higher age range as I think the way the story is presented is a bit more complex than your average picture book.
The images are quite beautiful - I spent several minutes on each page just taking in the sights. The writing is good, don't mistake me, but I think for a children's book it's a bit over the top (another reason I'd stick to the older age groups).
The story line is great subject matter and really gets you thinking about who Charles Dickens was, and how his stories came to be.
crystal_reads's review
4.0
A piece of historical fiction about the life of Charles Dickens. It's not truly a biography, but does add insight to the life of Dickens. I loved the illustrations.