There are two widely divergent schools of thought amongst home educators regarding the classics. You should only ever read them to (or have your children read) the unabridged, original versions. Another school of thought states that if you wish to have a great books education for your children, it is helpful to read them (or have them read) high quality abridgements and retellings of the original works during the grammar years.

Though I have in the past steadfastly held to the first position, after reading Great Expectations (Classic Starts) – a child-friendly retelling of Dickens’ classic story for readers from 9 – 12, I have to say that I can see how children’s versions can be a useful tool. Children can read and easily understand the simplified style while picking up on the major characters, themes, setting, and plot, while not becoming bogged down in the original work. Then when they revisit it, they will gain all the more from the original. The creamy pages, larger font size, and generous line spacing also combine to make this handsome hardcover edition a great choice for young readers.

Actually (and this might sound sacrilegious to Dickens’ fans), I think I enjoyed the abridgement more than the original. I have always found Great Expectations to be a strange, disturbing sort of story, but when I read this to my daughter she was SO interested – even though she was only seven at the time. She was so excited to find out what would happen to Pip during his adventures through life. I still think the story is a bit odd (sorry Dickens’ – maybe I’m just not enough of a “Great Books” gal) but this rendition is a great starter book to pick up the main points before digging into the real deal.

So, what is Great Expectations about anyway? Doesn’t a book review normally include some verbiage about the story itself? Let me take a crack at it for you. Young Pip is an orphan living with relatives in Victorian England when he encounters an escaped criminal who he aids (somewhat reluctantly) to flee from justice. Soon after this nightmarish experience, he is drawn into a strange friendship with an old woman and her proud young relation – Estella. As he matures, a mysterious benefactor funds his education so that he can become a proper gentleman. This is an incredibly simplified synopsis, but that gives you a tiny taste of what this well-known story is about.

This is also a very affordable book – only $5.95 for a hardcover. Pretty nice if you ask me!

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com ( )

I had never read the original book. However, I did see the movie after it was made. Why? Because several scenes were shot at my favorite museum here in Florida. They used John and Mable Ringlings house C a d' zan as part of the setting I was immediately enthralled with the story. The fact that my first reading of it was through Classic Starts makes me realize how much I missed and how much my students will enjoy it. I liked Pip very much. He was a dreamer and wanted more for himself in a time when people were put into classes and usually didn't get out of their class. He was a commoner, yet he was brought up very respectable. Another great story to put on my shelves. ( )