Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens is a book by Mary Pope Osborne that is perfect for young kids who want to learn more about history. It is a good background for Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". This book will help kids better understand what society was like in the 1800's. It describes the lifestyle of children in the lower classes, orphanages, and workhouses as well as how children in the middle or upper classes spent their time.
Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce have done an excellent job in their account of life in 19th century London, England in their new book Rags and Riches Kids in the Times of Charles Dickens. They describe in page turning words what life is like for both rich kids and poor kids during that time.
The details given by the main characters Jack and Annie describe everything from clothing and work to vacations and royalty and the illustrations make the words on the page come to life. Much of the novel is spent as seen through the great author Charles Dicken's eyes and how he saw life around him. It is this life that he depicts in his well known novels A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.
I highly recommend this book because not only is it fun to read, but also because you will learn so much about a fascinating time in history.
Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Cary, NC USA
