What's So Special About Dickens?

4.7

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Author(s)

Michael Rosen

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Sarah Nayler

Publisher

Candlewick Press

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

March 06, 2018

ISBN

978-0763699932

Buy This Book

Michael Rosen’s lively exploration of Dickens, reissued in an accessible new format for young middle-grade readers.

From the Artful Dodger to Miss Havisham to Scrooge, Charles Dickens brought some of our favorite fictional characters to life. But what inspired him? Who was the man behind the pen? Michael Rosen’s chatty and engaging narrative helps answer these questions and explores the world of Dickens and four of his best-loved books: A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations.

Editor review

1 review

An informative and entertaining look into the life of Charles Dickens

July 23, 2018 (Updated: July 23, 2018)

Overall rating

4.7

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Learning Value

5.0

Like many adults, I have a deep, abiding love for classic literature—a love that did not begin during my childhood. Perhaps if I had access to books like this gem, I would have discovered authors like Dickens much earlier in life.

What’s so Special about Dickens offers a biographical look into the life of Charles Dickens, from his childhood through his years as one of the most prolific authors of classical literature.

But is it really for kids? Absolutely! The hilarious illustrations are the best thing about this book. The anecdotes about Charles' life are funny, entertaining and educational. The author focuses a great deal on Charles as a child, allowing young readers to relate to him on a very different level than the often intimidating required reading they’ll face all to soon.

I highly recommend What’s so Special about Dickens to children and adults of any age. I particularly enjoyed reading this book just after watching the movie “The Man Who Invented Christmas” about Charles’ life as he wrote “A Christmas Carol.”