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A Christmas Carol: Annotated for Teen and Middle Grade Readers
"Bah!" said Scrooge, "Humbug!"
"Christmas a humbug, Uncle!" said Scrooge's nephew. "You don't mean that, I am sure?"
-----
On a cold, dark night in October 1843-during one of the long, solitary walks he liked to take-Charles Dickens came up with an idea that would change the world. As he looked around the city of London, he saw that many of the traditional customs of Christmas so popular in the past had fallen out of fashion. In some homes the holiday was not even celebrated at all. And so he came up with an idea for a story that would help put the Christmas spirit back in Christmas-not just in England, but all over the world, and not just for his time, for all time.
For nearly two hundred years, A Christmas Carol has been one of the world's best-known and best-loved stories-one that readers return to again and again for its timeless message about love and redemption. The Owl's Nest Classics Edition brings Dickens's masterpiece to life with annotations and thoughts for reflection that will engage young readers' hearts and minds and will inspire them see their own lives in a new way.
"Christmas a humbug, Uncle!" said Scrooge's nephew. "You don't mean that, I am sure?"
-----
On a cold, dark night in October 1843-during one of the long, solitary walks he liked to take-Charles Dickens came up with an idea that would change the world. As he looked around the city of London, he saw that many of the traditional customs of Christmas so popular in the past had fallen out of fashion. In some homes the holiday was not even celebrated at all. And so he came up with an idea for a story that would help put the Christmas spirit back in Christmas-not just in England, but all over the world, and not just for his time, for all time.
For nearly two hundred years, A Christmas Carol has been one of the world's best-known and best-loved stories-one that readers return to again and again for its timeless message about love and redemption. The Owl's Nest Classics Edition brings Dickens's masterpiece to life with annotations and thoughts for reflection that will engage young readers' hearts and minds and will inspire them see their own lives in a new way.
- GenresMiddle Grade
168 pages, Hardcover
Published November 28, 2023
6 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Charles Dickens
12.6k books31.2k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 20, 2025
12/20/25 This is my second time reading this annotated version of one of my favorite books. The notes throughout really help to make the book even better by clarifying some language and explaining societal and cultural aspects of the Victorian period.
I get something new from each reading of A Christmas Carol. This year, it was the description of Scrooge near the beginning of the story: squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, secret, self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. And then 3 paragraphs later, proclaiming that Scrooge enjoyed being that way. Brilliant. I can just imagine Charles Dickens being utterly tickled with himself as he drafted this story while walking the streets of London late at night.
Anyway, I love this story and look forward to reading it every year.
I get something new from each reading of A Christmas Carol. This year, it was the description of Scrooge near the beginning of the story: squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, secret, self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. And then 3 paragraphs later, proclaiming that Scrooge enjoyed being that way. Brilliant. I can just imagine Charles Dickens being utterly tickled with himself as he drafted this story while walking the streets of London late at night.
Anyway, I love this story and look forward to reading it every year.
August 21, 2024
Thank you, Dr. Brown, for this book! And of course, your patience. It has taken me roughly 8 months to read this book.
So here is my long-awaited review.
I have never before read A Christmas Carol. The closest I have been to this story is a few films, mostly the animated ones. The only one I could stand growing up is an older animated (likely drawn) movie. Ever since I watched a specific animated version, however, I was loathe to read this book. After all, who wants to torture themselves of images of the grim reaper and horrifying children. I sure don't!
Of course, as it is with the majority of book to movie adaptations, the book is better! I knew the shape of the plot, so it was easy enough to read in that sense. But there were aspects that the films glossed over (as adaptations always do). It was a pleasant experience to discover this story anew for myself. Especially when I discovered how hilarious the narrator was! The substance comes not from the length of the book (which is short compared to other classics) but various timeless statements or observations therein.
In this copy, Devin Brown provides wonderful footnotes that enlighten the reader without the need to pause and Google a word or custom. I would highly suggest this book for inquisitive readers (or parents and teachers) who are looking for challenging questions. Brown provides such questions after each Stave (or chapter if you will). Each question is thought-provoking. And while you could skip them, I would suggest sitting and pondering one or two before moving onto the next Stave.
Overall, Brown encourages readers to engage with the text before them. Whereas any movie adaptation will only provide a chance to turn your mind off and absorb if one is not careful! And perhaps a few nightmares for years to come if you watch the right movie at the wrong age. No, I don't have strong feelings about this particular adaptation...
The reader is reminded that A Christmas Carol is not only a story of redemption and grace but also a plea to remember generosity and good will go hand in hand with Christmas!
Finally, Brown challenges the reader to question whether A Christmas Carol is merely escapist entertainment or a serious work of literature. He reminds us that many books considered to be serious literature have supernatural aspects to them (ghosts). One example is Homer's The Odyssey.
As someone who believes in the redemptive sweep of history, I believe that this book is serious literature and that, as Brown states, "Even the worst among us can become new people" (131). After all, without the grace of God, I, too, would be "a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner" (4)!
So here is my long-awaited review.
I have never before read A Christmas Carol. The closest I have been to this story is a few films, mostly the animated ones. The only one I could stand growing up is an older animated (likely drawn) movie. Ever since I watched a specific animated version, however, I was loathe to read this book. After all, who wants to torture themselves of images of the grim reaper and horrifying children. I sure don't!
Of course, as it is with the majority of book to movie adaptations, the book is better! I knew the shape of the plot, so it was easy enough to read in that sense. But there were aspects that the films glossed over (as adaptations always do). It was a pleasant experience to discover this story anew for myself. Especially when I discovered how hilarious the narrator was! The substance comes not from the length of the book (which is short compared to other classics) but various timeless statements or observations therein.
In this copy, Devin Brown provides wonderful footnotes that enlighten the reader without the need to pause and Google a word or custom. I would highly suggest this book for inquisitive readers (or parents and teachers) who are looking for challenging questions. Brown provides such questions after each Stave (or chapter if you will). Each question is thought-provoking. And while you could skip them, I would suggest sitting and pondering one or two before moving onto the next Stave.
Overall, Brown encourages readers to engage with the text before them. Whereas any movie adaptation will only provide a chance to turn your mind off and absorb if one is not careful! And perhaps a few nightmares for years to come if you watch the right movie at the wrong age. No, I don't have strong feelings about this particular adaptation...
The reader is reminded that A Christmas Carol is not only a story of redemption and grace but also a plea to remember generosity and good will go hand in hand with Christmas!
Finally, Brown challenges the reader to question whether A Christmas Carol is merely escapist entertainment or a serious work of literature. He reminds us that many books considered to be serious literature have supernatural aspects to them (ghosts). One example is Homer's The Odyssey.
As someone who believes in the redemptive sweep of history, I believe that this book is serious literature and that, as Brown states, "Even the worst among us can become new people" (131). After all, without the grace of God, I, too, would be "a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner" (4)!
December 31, 2024
This book is endlessly brilliant and never, ever gets old. I'm so glad I got the chance to read it again with so many wonderful people!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews