A Boy Called Dickens

by Deborah Hopkinson, John Hendrix (Illustrator)

For years Dickens kept the story of his own childhood a secret. Yet it is a story worth telling. For it helps us remember how much we all might lose when a child's dreams don't come true . . . As a child, Dickens was forced to live on his own and work long hours in a rat-infested blacking factory. Readers will be drawn into the winding streets of London, where they will learn how Dickens got the inspiration for many of his characters. The 200th anniversary of Dickens's birth was February 7, 2012, and this tale of his little-known boyhood is the perfect way to introduce kids to the great author. This Booklist Best Children's Book of the Year is historical fiction at its ingenious best.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Biography Memoir, Historical

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

I write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)

NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.

I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the illustrations
3 stars for the writing

”THIS IS OLD LONDON, on a winter morning long ago. Come along, now. We are here to search for a boy called Dickens.

“He won’t be easy to find. The fog has crept in, silent as a ghost, to fold the city in cold, gray arms.

“Maybe the boy is down by the river—the thick, black Thames. There are ragged children here, to be sure, scrambling for bits of copper and wood to sell.”

What makes this worth checking out are the illustrations. This says for pre-school to 3rd grade, but I think the story might not be appreciated by too young of an audience, and potentially frightening to a pre-school aged child.

While the story reads, well, like a poverty-stricken character out of a Dickens novel, the pen and acrylic illustrations are really quite lovely, even when sharing the bleakness and poverty of the location and time.

At the still somewhat tender age of twelve years old, Dickens was working in a blacking factory, wrapping the bottles of blacking for sale. He worked long hours, ten-hour days, and walked to and from work back to a tiny, attic room. Alone. His father was in debtor’s prison, and his family, young Charles aside, was there with him, in prison. Food was scarce, and his life was not easy, clearly.

I had been searching my library for some holiday “cheer” and this one came up in my search. There’s little about this that is cheery, but if you’re looking for a book that describes the impoverished life of the Dickens family, or perhaps how Dickens was inspired with some of his characters by events in his own life, then this is a good book to check out. I would only consider it a holiday book in the sense that it is about a man who wrote a famous novel about Christmas.

I enjoyed the illustrations more than I did the writing, but this is meant to appeal as more of a “picture book,” but that being said, I think the writing, overall, sometimes felt a bit detached for me, making it feel a little too “just the facts, ma’am” to me. As a children’s book, I would say this might appeal to 2nd, 3rd & 4th graders.


Many thanks, once again, to the Public Library system, and the many Librarians that manage, organize and keep it running, for the loan of this book!

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Hopkinson tells this story of Charles Dickens' boyhood. She writes as if the reader is looking back in time, following the boy as he goes about in a typical day. John Hendrix's illustrations, which often look down on the scene from above, further the effect of looking back in time. Anyone who has read Dickens' books will realize that he took his inspiration from incidents in his boyhood and life in London at the time. Imagine being twelve years old and working ten hours a day! Imagine a whole family living in debtor's prison. From such bleak beginnings came the brilliant writer whose works we enjoy today. As Hopkinson says at the end of the story:

"For years Dickens kept the story of his own childhood a secret. Yet it is a story worth telling. For it helps us remember how much we all might lose when a child's dreams don't come true."

Indeed. Highly recommnded.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This somewhat fictionalized biography of a young Charles Dickens is interesting, although I'm not sure I was ever that fascinated with this author in the first place. I've never managed to get through one of his books (even though I was supposed to read Great Expectations in high school). While it's kind of neat to see the inspiration for some of his characters and storylines, there was nothing here that really engaged me and made me feel anything for poor Charles... and he had such a crappy early life that I feel like I should've felt something.

A lot of blame is put on his parents, which is fair... today. But sending your 12-year-old out to work back in those days wasn't unusual. It feels like the author is trying to project 21st-century ethics onto a 19th-century situation, and it comes off as really judgmental.

Also, at one point, Dickens is using his slate and pencil... together. To me, this just screams lack of research. (Slates were used with chalk. And a pencil would've required paper of some sort if you wanted to write with it.)

Overall, I wasn't that impressed with this. It might have more appeal to Dickens fans... although I'm not sure how many of those there are in the picture-book set.

[Tomiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

It probably wasn't lost on the publisher that February 2013 marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens birth. However, Deborah Hopkinson's A Boy Called Dickens does not read like an opportunistic, dry-as-sawdust, requisite children'sbiography. Instead, it is a lovingly crafted picture book biography that I think a wide range of readers can enjoy on many different levels. Young pre-readers can find intriguing details in the sometimes Where's Waldo-esque illustrations. Middle grade readers can relate to a rags to riches story. Even high school readers can find value in the book, as a quick entrée into Dickens' real world, to see how it influenced his writing. And for adult readers, it brings you back to your childhood, when might have heard "A Christmas Carol" for the first time.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really neat biographical tale of Dickens. I am a bit confused, however, as to who the intended audience is. The illustration and writing style was captivating for my six year old, and yet, there is no way that a young child would have any idea of Dickens's writing with the possible exceptions of A Christmas Carol and The Cricket and the Hearth.

5 stars for storytelling. 3 stars for intended audience.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Dickens, this was a delight to read. I learned things about his childhood that I wasn't familiar with. After suffering the hardships of child labor and imprisoned parents, Dickens made it in the world as an educated person and talented writer. His love of books and storytelling abilities kept his spirits up during this tough time. The charming illustrations pull us into the time period.

[Jeremy]

WORLD comments here.

[Hezekiah Huang · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t like biographies. Took me 3 tries to finish this book.

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not a fan of the writing style nor the ambiguity of the text. (It was often difficult to tell which statements were hypothetical, which were assumed/extrapolated, and which were true.)

[RH Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

So exciting to come across this at the library with my daughter the other day, because I'm in a feverishly good online read-along of Little Dorritt. Dickens' family actually lived in Marshalsea prison! Illustrations and storytelling are very good, except that it ends rather abruptly with "then Dickens grew up and became a famous writer." The intended audience is a bit of a mystery with this one because it relies on familiarity with Dickens, and could've used more biographical details to tantalize future readers and make the story complete.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful picture book biography about Charles Dickens. I love the illustrations and the story of Dickens childhood. My children enjoyed seeing the connections from these stories to books he has written.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are well done and help drive the story by depicting old London and the difficult childhood Dickens’ endured. Many people may be unaware of the financial struggles Dickens’ family faced when he was a boy, since the novelist kept this part of his life a secret for many years. While Hopkinson explains in her endnotes that the book is based on actual incidents and pieces that Dickens wrote about his own life, she does emphasize that it is a work of fiction. Readers will enjoy the overall message of the story of a young boy never giving up on his dream despite facing many difficult obstacles.

There are many very positive reviews for this picture book, however the topic and writing style may not resonate with all readers. There are many references to Dickens’ books and characters he created throughout this book, which may be unfamiliar to younger children. At times, I also felt the literary device of the narrator directly addressing the reader to be forced.

I would classify this book as an advanced picture book geared toward students in grades 3 to 5.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enter the world of Charles Dickens’ childhood in this picture book. The fog and cold of London will enfold you, along with the smoking chimneys and the dankness of the Thames. Twelve-year-old Dickens worked in Warren’s blacking factory, wrapping bottles of blacking for sale. He entertained the boy next to him with his stories when they could get away with it. Dickens worked ten hour days and when work is finally completed, he headed home to his tiny attic room where he lived alone. His family was in the debtors’ prison with only Dickens bringing in any money at all. When his father and family is released from prison, Dickens’ life changes and he is finally allowed to go to school. This book celebrates the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth in a way that will resonate with children.

Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, could be longer, needs more dialogue

I really loved the illustrations. Overall this is a great book for children, very educational in terms of being a starting point to teach children about the author Charles Dickens. The text of this story could have been more exciting, especially by giving the characters more lines of dialogue. For example, rather than telling us that Dickens father quarreled with the factory owner, include angry lines of dialogue between them. At the end, when Dickens goes back to school, include some lines of dialogue between him and a classmate. It felt like the story was too short, too quick, and it could have made the characters more compelling simply by having them say something.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A combination of second person, present tense narrative and charming pen and acrylic illustration casts the reader as a witness to Dickens' young life. Illustrations, which range from ethereal, aerial views of London to scratchy, fragile vignettes, expertly portray bleakness and beauty through color. The ink drawings evoke Mercer Mayer's illustrations of Fitzgerald's Great Brain. Although this is a work of fiction, the author's note hints at research, although no sources are cited.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of clever things in this book, most of them in the illustrations and narration voice. One line that really sticks out to me is the one where it references whores living in old London (which they very much did) because most picture books would have shielded over that piece of knowledge faster than hot on a fire. The book called them, "ladies with shattered hopes." I think that is a really accurate description of them, and I am so glad they were included in the people Dickens passed on the street. It's probably the strongest words in the whole book.

I didn't give this book 5 stars mainly because I find Dickens' stories and life to be boring. This book did an incredible job in narrating his life and putting it together well enough to hold interest, but, I don't think this book will stick with me beyond that one description. If you are a Dickens fan, you should definitely read this. Even if it's just for the illustrations--they are full of details to just get lost into!

[Isabella Santana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Boy Called Dickens is a 5-STAR book. I like this book because it teaches me about a boy who wrote stories named Charles. This book taught me what it was like for him to write new stories. I learned that Charles Dickens has a hard childhood. He lost his home, and his family went to jail because his daddy couldn't pay the bills. Charles Dickens had leave school and get a job at 12 years old! This made Charles sad because all he wanted to do was go to school, read every book, and write his own stories. I learned that Charles Dickens grew up and became a very famous author. His dreams came true. I like this book because I learned not to give up on my dreams -- that's a bad choice. I think kids should read this book because it teaches you to not give up on your goals even when things look bad.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our family watched the movie "The Man Who Saved Christmas" so reading this with Madam last night really resonated with both of us. We enjoyed the style because we already knew what was going on and we kept nudging each other meaningfully. What really struck both of us was his age; Madam is 12 right now. 12. The exact same age that Dickens was in this book when he was enduring all of this that his own parents put him through, and then tried to re-enslave him again.

I just CANNOT. His own father FINALLY came to his senses and manned up and made things right, BUT THEN, his mother, his OWN MOTHER tried to PUT HIM BACK. WHAT?!!!

No wonder he had issues. Good heavens. Thankfully, he channeled them into such works. Madam was distinctly impressed, and we hugged each other tighter at the end of our reading last night. *sigh*

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book (probably more than Miss 3 to be honest). A useful text to use in a classroom to look at how different life was for children in other times and how important it is to follow your dreams (and write stories!). I found the Afterword really interesting; I've read and studied plenty of Dickens but either didn't know about his own childhood or have forgotten over the years.

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those pieces where you read it, discover at the end that the author tells you that she had to fictionalize some elements like the dialogue, but you still know it belongs in the biography section of the library. For fans of Deborah Hopkinson like me, you'll recognize that stylistically this is very much like Abe Crosses a Creek, another gem of a book. Both books have great read aloud potential. The text is engagingly conversational, the illustrations are vibrant and intricately detailed so listeners will surely slow you down to point out things they've noticed as you read. In all, it's a joy to read it. Well done by both author and illustrator.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well-done picture book of historical biography by Hopkinson. Based on the childhood of Charles Dickens in 19th c. London--poverty, child labor, hunger, and fear are elements that later appear in Dickens' novels. The story is told in an interesting manner, accessible to children. Detailed illustrations by Hendrix evoke the hard-scrabble atmosphere of the times of Oliver Twist and Bob Cratchit. Despite its excellence, the book will require promotion by teachers and librarian. Most elementary age children have no knowledge of Dickens or his writing, or of historic London.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations by John Hendrix were the start of this book. Hendrix' art embodies the era of Dickensian England, that portrayed in Dicken's own novels. From the people, both living and ghost, to the streets and the jail, everything about Hendrix' art is a visual delight.
Hopkinson's narrative also does not indulge in too many obvious references to Dickens' various works as would have been quite easy to do. Instead, Hopkinson uses Dickens' own brief and somewhat vague autobiographical descriptions of this time in his life to create a story that Dickens himself just may have created.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Picture Book of Charles Dickens

The author professes her love 💘for Dickens' novels at the end of her book. She tells a tale of Dickens as a 12 year old, trying to work as many British children were forced to do in the 19th century. In fact, he spent his life writing novels depicting the horrible life the poor led to the reading public to promote better treatment. Charlie's father comes into an inheritance and Charles can go to school. All the time loving books. The illustrations are very attractive and match the text well. A nice book.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children will learn much about the life of famous author, Charles Dickens. We learn about the inspiration from real life experience of the characters developed in his stories. Charles spoke out against the life of the poor children and families in London in his day. Especially the Christmas Carol story with Scrooge we see how much he dislikes the abuses going on at this time and how he used his writing as a tool for social protest and change. The illustrations were incredible and really helped the reader be transported into Charles’s world as a boy. Well done!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meet a boy named Dickens who works in a boot polish factory. His father is in debtor's prison. He is surrounded by the poor, destitute and by ghosts ( or is it ideas?)

Meet the boy who would become one of England's most well-known classic authors.

Great intro for the biography of this author. Beautiful illustrations and like the author, a very honest view (in terms of illustration and vocabulary) of the social economy of the time.

[Luvy Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Boy Called Dickens is the story of Charles Dickens. The author tells the story of his life growing up and the hard work he endured just to be able to eat. Dickens' imagination was always on and the story goes on to tell of how he would share stories with fellow child-workers to keep them entertained as they worked. Charles Dickens' story is sad but the author is able to make the story relate able to children. Read this story to find out how his life changes in the end.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it was interesting to hear about Dickens's childhood, I'm really confused about the intended audience for this book. Anyone who would know Dickens's work would be too old for a picture book. I think the writing was supposed to mimic Dickens's writing so I appreciated that aspect of it but it was awkward and inaccessible for average picture book readers (or even listeners- thinking about if this book was read aloud). There are much better picture book biographies out there.

[Anna Grace Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew that Dickens' childhood was similar to that of Young Scrooge, but I didn't know the details. As Dickens is one of my favorite authors, I'm so glad I picked it up in the library today. It tells a sad but ultimately beautiful tale of a young boy called Dickens and how he came to write the story of the characters we treasure today. I definitely recommend it!

[Safiye · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations for the book is a wonderful work of art, but the thing that catches my eye is writing it is a wonderful work of art and the craft of writing. It is a wonderful recommendation to quick reader and a good book for young kids that have barely got the time to sit. And for new readers that have got to that level of reading. Also a good quick read for adults.

[Gabby Vivenes · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were watching a family movie the other day with the kids, and the name Charles Dickens kept coming and even one of his books came up and my 7 year old kept asking who he was and so I looked for a book of her level to tell his story, she absolutely loved this one that now she wants to read "Oliver Twist" I was amazed!