You Gotta Read This!
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Title: Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
Author: Jonathan Auxier Publisher: Puffin Books (September 25, 2018) ISBN: 978-1419731402 Genre: Historical Fiction Recommended Age Level: 9-15 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Nan Sparrow, an eleven-year-old orphan, is the best chimney climber out of the kids that are indentured to Wilkie Crudd, their heartless and cruel chimney sweep master. He provides food and a place for them to sleep in exchange for long days of extremely dirty and dangerous work. For five years her skills and wit have gotten her out of many tight situations, but she meets her match when she gets stuck in a flue with a chimney fire roaring beneath her. The next thing she knows, she is safe, waking up in the attic of the building, but with a small creature made of ash and coal next to her. Together, Nan and this creature (which she later discovers is a Golem), create a new life, away from the cruel and abusive master, who thinks she died in the fire. Nan raises and cares for the Golem, and as she allows herself to love and be vulnerable in a world that has always been cruel and indifferent to her, she comes to realize that she just might be able to change their corner of the world for the better, with the help of her new friend and “monster”. Professional Reviews: “A stunning historical fantasy novel about the power of friendship, our potential for courage, and the beauty of remembering loved ones, set in Victorian England.” – Amy McInerney, School Library Journal “Auxier wipes away the grime from a bleak chapter in history where children were forced to work dangerous jobs that claimed many lives. He questions what makes one a monster and applauds helping others, activism, education, earthly marvels, and the possibility of magic.” – Julia Smith, Booklist Personal Insights: The part that most amazed me about the story was reading through the author’s notes at the end and realizing just how much research went into this book to make it so historically accurate (fantastical “monsters’ aside). Auxier is able to describe the setting so well that you can’t help but feel transported in time. He gives such a stark look at the harsh realities of life in that day while also weaving an intricate and glowing story that leaves the readers feeling as if they are holding their own, little piece of warm char. Notable Quotes: “Am I a monster?” Nan hesitated a long moment before answering. She thought about Crudd and Trundle and the cruel indifference of every person in the city who didn’t care if she lived or died. “I’ve met monsters before,” she said, resting her head atop his. “And you are not one of them.” “That’s what it is to care for a person,” Toby said. There was not even a hint of mocking in his voice. “If you’re not afraid, you’re not doing it right.” “That’s how it works, doesn’t it? We are saved by saving others.” Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (2007): Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery. Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell (2013): Everyone thinks that Sophie is an orphan. True, there were no other recorded female survivors from the shipwreck which left baby Sophie floating in the English Channel in a cello case, but Sophie remembers seeing her mother wave for help. Her guardian tells her it is almost impossible that her mother is still alive, but that means still possible. You should never ignore a possible. So when the Welfare Agency writes to her guardian threatening to send Sophie to an orphanage, she takes matters into her own hands and flees to Paris to look for her mother, starting with the only clue she has - the address of the cello maker. Evading the French authorities, she meets Matteo and his network of rooftoppers - urchins who live in the sky. Together they scour the city for Sophie's mother before she is caught and sent back to London, and most importantly before she loses hope. Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk (2016): Growing up in the shadows cast by two world wars, Annabelle has lived a mostly quiet, steady life in her small Pennsylvania town. Until the day new student Betty Glengarry walks into her class. Betty quickly reveals herself to be cruel and manipulative, and while her bullying seems isolated at first, things quickly escalate, and reclusive World War I veteran Toby becomes a target of her attacks. While others have always seen Toby’s strangeness, Annabelle knows only kindness. She will soon need to find the courage to stand as a lone voice of justice as tensions mount.
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