“A Boy Called Dickens” by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by John Hendrix.
Schwartz & Wade Books, New York, 2012, 32 pages, Grades 3-5.
A great writer is able to capture the spirits, moods and longings of a country. This is done through character development in novels and plays. The very best characters speak to readers’ aspirations, desires and human needs. We see ourselves in these fictitious figures and help work out our own problems and dreams through them. So even though fiction is created, it becomes “real” to readers because of its ability to heal and inspire.
One of the greatest English writers of fiction was Charles Dickens. During the early 1800s, Dickens wrote a series of outstanding novels such as “Oliver Twist” and “David Copperfield” and his world-famous novelette, “A Christmas Carol.” His impact in the United States was so profound that eager crowds actually waited at American ports for his latest writings. Deborah Hopkinson has written an inspiring biography on this great author entitled “A Boy Called Dickens.”
A poor boy trudges off to work on a bitterly cold London morning. His clothes are tattered and patched and provide little warmth against the swirling winter wind. Groups of other boys skip and laugh as they head to school with their books tucked under their arms. The destitute child looks longingly at these boys and remembers back to the time when he was able to go to school. That seems so long ago.
Finally, he arrives at an ugly building named Warren’s. It makes shoe polish for gentlemen’s boots. Shivering, Charles Dickens puts on his beaten-up apron and sits down on his stool. Before him are sheets of paper, string, a scissors and pots of boot polish. All day long he carefully ties up packages filled with the dark polish.
Some of the other downtrodden boys ask Charles to tell them stories to lighten the misery of their work. One of the boys, named Bob Fagin, tells Dickens that the last story was so funny that his ribs still hurt from laughing so hard. Throughout the long, brutal day Charles tells stories and thinks up new characters that reflect the hard environment in which he lives.
After 10 long hours, the boys leave Warren’s with their miserable wages for that day. Young Charles buys a small loaf of bread, some cheese and a little bit of beef. He walks through the London streets surrounded by pickpockets, lawyers, convicts and owners of small curiosity shops.
That night he falls into his bed in his bleak attic room and dreams of all the characters he has met and dreamed about that day.
But more than anything else, he wants his family released from Debtors Prison, where they are eking out a miserable existence after his father was jailed for not paying his bills. If only they could get out, maybe things would become better. Maybe then he could start writing about all the characters and scenes he has experienced in London. And finally, good fortune shines on the poor lad.
What happens to Charles Dickens? Is his family released from Debtors Prison? Does he get to return to school? What dreams does he have? Does he live those dreams? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and read this fine biography by Deborah Hopkinson, “A Boy Called Dickens.”
Charles Dickens is one of the most famous writers in the English-speaking world. His characters are unforgettable. Hopkinson fills in many of the details on the painful experiences Dickens suffered in life.
As well, she shows his dedication to hope and love. Please encourage the younger members of your family to read this fine biography. I learned a great deal from it and think you will as well.
