A fictional account of the experiences of Jim Jarvis, a young orphan who escapes the workhouse in 1860 London and survives brutal treatment and desperate circumstances until he is taken in by Dr. Bernardo, founder of a school for the city's "ragged" children

I remember the first time I heard this story. When I was eight, my teacher read this story to the class and I blame it fully for laying a foundation stone for my interest in history. Jim Jarvis is, at the start of the book, basically Oliver Twist – he escapes from the workhouse and tramps the streets of London, going from one awful situation to another. In the end, he finds his liberation in the form of a benevolent benefactor, the founder of the Barnardos childrens’ homes. This story is wonderfully accessible and deeply moving. Doherty is a true storysmith, and her characters inspire love and disgust in equal measure. I would recommend this to anybody, especially to those trying to get children interested in the Victorians. ( )