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Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
Meet Nan Sparrow. She’s a 10-year-old orphan who works as a “climbing boy,” the term given to children who risked their lives to assist chimney sweeps in 19th-century England. Nan learned the ins and outs of chimney sweeping at her father’s side, but he has “disappeared,” and though Nan’s work is brutal and dangerous, she holds out hope for her father’s eventual return.
When Nan’s most treasured possessions end up in a fireplace, she unwittingly creates a golem made up of all her favorite things. She names him Charlie, and the two become fast friends. Together, they make their home in an abandoned attic. But one of Charlie’s “ingredients” is a twelve-month calendar, and the clock is ticking. Will Nan have to say goodbye to her only companion and come to terms with the fact that her father might never be coming home?
By one of today’s most powerful storytellers, The Soot Golem is a novel about the everlasting gifts of friendship and hope.
When Nan’s most treasured possessions end up in a fireplace, she unwittingly creates a golem made up of all her favorite things. She names him Charlie, and the two become fast friends. Together, they make their home in an abandoned attic. But one of Charlie’s “ingredients” is a twelve-month calendar, and the clock is ticking. Will Nan have to say goodbye to her only companion and come to terms with the fact that her father might never be coming home?
By one of today’s most powerful storytellers, The Soot Golem is a novel about the everlasting gifts of friendship and hope.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2018
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11377 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,471 reviews
May 19, 2018
Ack. I hate having the responsibility of being the first. I want to just walk away and come back later when other people have had a chance to review so that my thoughts can get lost in the crowd.
Sweep is wonderful. It reads as if Charles Dickens tried his hand at telling a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. It has a bit of a feel of Frances Hodgson Burnett and a bit of Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince. It is, in short, much like the classic children's literature I read when young—at once both magical and moralizing, hopeful and heartbreaking. Nan and Charlie and even Toby are the kinds of book friends with whom I would have happily spent countless hours as a ten-year-old. Reading it was like rediscovering a much-loved old friend from childhood, but one that holds up and is just as delightful as you remember it being.
Sweep is wonderful. It reads as if Charles Dickens tried his hand at telling a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. It has a bit of a feel of Frances Hodgson Burnett and a bit of Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince. It is, in short, much like the classic children's literature I read when young—at once both magical and moralizing, hopeful and heartbreaking. Nan and Charlie and even Toby are the kinds of book friends with whom I would have happily spent countless hours as a ten-year-old. Reading it was like rediscovering a much-loved old friend from childhood, but one that holds up and is just as delightful as you remember it being.
June 9, 2022
4,5/5
Powieść w stylu starych bajek dla dzieci. Ma coś z „Chłopców z placu broni” i innych XIX wiecznych książek.
Bardzo, bardzo polecam!
Powieść w stylu starych bajek dla dzieci. Ma coś z „Chłopców z placu broni” i innych XIX wiecznych książek.
Bardzo, bardzo polecam!
January 10, 2019
"We are saved by saving others.”
A stunning story of sacrifice and courage, and a marvelous act of civil disobedience.
On the second reading: Even better, blew my heart to pieces.
A stunning story of sacrifice and courage, and a marvelous act of civil disobedience.
On the second reading: Even better, blew my heart to pieces.
June 23, 2018
I’ve been a fan of Jonathan Auxier’s writing for years now, so I started this one with very high expectations, which were met and exceeded! And I’m now a person that has cried on an airplane.
November 25, 2019
Sweep by Jonathan Auxier is a book that reached out and seized my heart from page one and hasn’t let go. It is one of the most intimate reads I’ve discovered in a long time as the author zooms in on the very essence of the hope, love, and courage that is embodied in sacrifice.
It’s about grief and joy. It’s about losing something and gaining something. It’s about surrendering and about fighting on. It’s about change and sameness. It’s about innocence and also about growing up. It’s beautiful, painful, and infinitely sweet.
Reading this book almost feels like holding a heart in your hands – a father’s heart, beating with the bravery and fear of a protector loving something as delicate, changeable, and easily lost as a child.
This book is so raw , it almost feels like some tender and private scene not meant for me to see. We feel the pride and wonder of a guardian watching a child experience their first sunrise, their first word, their first growth spurt. The novel croons over these moments with a fiery tenderness that warms the readers heart just as it breaks it.
This is a novel that I will never forget because it reaches us that we can be hurting and still create. You can be in despair and still love. You can be in pain and still sacrifice. A greater love is what makes life worth living.
There is a great deal of sadness and poignancy in this book as the characters go through unbearable loss and pain but, at the end of it all, we are only left with hope. For in a simple, good-hearted soot golem named Charlie there is an echo of a father’s love. A deposit of faith and happiness. A promise of salvation. Someone else lives on in Charlie.
Charlie, a soot golem made for one purpose, shows us all that we can be representatives of the Father’s Love and that we can follow His example of true sacrifice.
It’s about grief and joy. It’s about losing something and gaining something. It’s about surrendering and about fighting on. It’s about change and sameness. It’s about innocence and also about growing up. It’s beautiful, painful, and infinitely sweet.
Reading this book almost feels like holding a heart in your hands – a father’s heart, beating with the bravery and fear of a protector loving something as delicate, changeable, and easily lost as a child.
This book is so raw , it almost feels like some tender and private scene not meant for me to see. We feel the pride and wonder of a guardian watching a child experience their first sunrise, their first word, their first growth spurt. The novel croons over these moments with a fiery tenderness that warms the readers heart just as it breaks it.
This is a novel that I will never forget because it reaches us that we can be hurting and still create. You can be in despair and still love. You can be in pain and still sacrifice. A greater love is what makes life worth living.
There is a great deal of sadness and poignancy in this book as the characters go through unbearable loss and pain but, at the end of it all, we are only left with hope. For in a simple, good-hearted soot golem named Charlie there is an echo of a father’s love. A deposit of faith and happiness. A promise of salvation. Someone else lives on in Charlie.
Charlie, a soot golem made for one purpose, shows us all that we can be representatives of the Father’s Love and that we can follow His example of true sacrifice.
April 25, 2023
Nan is an eleven year old orphan in Victorian London who cleans chimneys for a living. It’s very hard and dirty work. And it’s also incredibly dangerous. One day on the job, Nan gets stuck in a chimney. The boy who comes to save her from her predicament is unfortunately her biggest rival at work. And the boy thinks the best idea to free her, is by starting a fire right under her, forcing her to escape on her own, or not at all. Nan passes out, thinking that this is the end of her life. But then she wakes up. And she’s not alone. The charred soot she’s had with her since she was very little seems to have come alive by the fire and was turned into a golem. And that golem saved her life.
In between the normal chapters, we see flashbacks of Nan with a man she calls The Sweep, an almost legendary figure amongst the chimney sweepers. We learn that he is the one that gave her the charred soot that eventually turned into a golem. It seems he gave her this golem for a specific reason. But Nan has no idea what that reason could be.
This is a very gripping story, even though it can be a bit predictable. The writer just absolutely smashed it in terms of the setting. The atmosphere of the setting is Victorian London through and through. And the whole concept is very reminiscent of Oliver Twist. It can be heartbreaking to see how an eleven year old is working herself to death to simply survive in this harsh environment.
The mystery of the golem and what happened to The Sweep is what drives the story forward. But it’s the characters that make you want to flip the pages as soon as possible. The characters, specifically Nan and her golem, are fleshed out really well. The friendship between Nan and Toby is just absolutely lovely. And the way Nan changes by both standing up for herself and taking care of her golem is so cool. The golem is pretty much like a child at first. So it’s really sweet and heartwarming to see Nan take care of him and teach him how to read for example. And he grows a lot as a character throughout the story.
This story deals with many important themes ranging from grief to friendship. From unfairness in the world to survival. From what it means to be a monster, to even the true spirit of Christmas. But the core theme of this story is: save others to save yourself. And this core theme makes a lot of sense. Because happiness is the only thing you can multiply by sharing it with others.
Overall, a story that will stay with you after you finished it. It perfectly balances the gut-wrenching and heartwarming moments to keep you hooked from start to finish. Easy recommendation.
In between the normal chapters, we see flashbacks of Nan with a man she calls The Sweep, an almost legendary figure amongst the chimney sweepers. We learn that he is the one that gave her the charred soot that eventually turned into a golem. It seems he gave her this golem for a specific reason. But Nan has no idea what that reason could be.
This is a very gripping story, even though it can be a bit predictable. The writer just absolutely smashed it in terms of the setting. The atmosphere of the setting is Victorian London through and through. And the whole concept is very reminiscent of Oliver Twist. It can be heartbreaking to see how an eleven year old is working herself to death to simply survive in this harsh environment.
The mystery of the golem and what happened to The Sweep is what drives the story forward. But it’s the characters that make you want to flip the pages as soon as possible. The characters, specifically Nan and her golem, are fleshed out really well. The friendship between Nan and Toby is just absolutely lovely. And the way Nan changes by both standing up for herself and taking care of her golem is so cool. The golem is pretty much like a child at first. So it’s really sweet and heartwarming to see Nan take care of him and teach him how to read for example. And he grows a lot as a character throughout the story.
This story deals with many important themes ranging from grief to friendship. From unfairness in the world to survival. From what it means to be a monster, to even the true spirit of Christmas. But the core theme of this story is: save others to save yourself. And this core theme makes a lot of sense. Because happiness is the only thing you can multiply by sharing it with others.
Overall, a story that will stay with you after you finished it. It perfectly balances the gut-wrenching and heartwarming moments to keep you hooked from start to finish. Easy recommendation.
November 16, 2019
As this song and scene from Mary Poppins
ranks as one of my favorite cinematic moments, I had a hard time easing into the dark and depressing world of child chimney sweeps of Victorian era London.
Charlie the golem, and his childlike wonder at the world around him, managed to win me over, however, and I ended up loving the book.
The ending? I'll say no more, though it's practically perfect in every way.
ranks as one of my favorite cinematic moments, I had a hard time easing into the dark and depressing world of child chimney sweeps of Victorian era London. Charlie the golem, and his childlike wonder at the world around him, managed to win me over, however, and I ended up loving the book.
The ending? I'll say no more, though it's practically perfect in every way.
March 11, 2022
Pardon me while I wipe my tears away. This book was BEAUTIFUL! This was such an eye-opener into how dangerous the job of a chimney sweep was and why children were doing it and how they could be treated. It was heartbreaking. I loved the characters and how magical the writing and the story was. I felt so many emotions throughout the book and it definitely left me in tears. I loved it and want to read everything by this author now. LOVE!
August 22, 2021
Update: I just finished my reread and I think I loved this story even more this time. Such a great story. This should be considered a children's classic.
I read this aloud with my 10 year old...and oh my goodness. What a beautiful book. It definitely lived up to the hype. The storytelling was done so well...these felt like real people, walking off the page to tell us their story. It had so many things that I love in books - Victorian London setting, children finding a magical protector, Judaism in a story NOT about the Holocaust (far rarer than you'd think), and a really nasty villain. A beautiful blend of historical fiction and fantasy, with themes of friendship, sacrifice and courage. I think this is a book that both my daughter and I will reread in the future.
I read this aloud with my 10 year old...and oh my goodness. What a beautiful book. It definitely lived up to the hype. The storytelling was done so well...these felt like real people, walking off the page to tell us their story. It had so many things that I love in books - Victorian London setting, children finding a magical protector, Judaism in a story NOT about the Holocaust (far rarer than you'd think), and a really nasty villain. A beautiful blend of historical fiction and fantasy, with themes of friendship, sacrifice and courage. I think this is a book that both my daughter and I will reread in the future.
October 6, 2023
I was so upset as I finished the last page of this book because it’s over—and I was so not ready for this story to end 😭🤍 So beautiful, so moving, and now one of my favorite books ever. The fact that this book is a children’s story yet almost moved me to tears…gahh, I just can’t say enough good things about it. I can’t recommend it highly enough!!
“We save ourselves by saving others.” <3
“We save ourselves by saving others.” <3
January 31, 2019
We are saved by saving others.
A wonderful blend of history, heartbreak, magic and mysticism in Victorian England. It's about a young girl, Nan Sparrow, who is a chimney sweep, indentured to a cruel master, and barely surviving. When she is almost killed while cleaning chimneys in a prestigious girls school, she is saved by a piece of char from her old master. From this warm char, Nan grows a golem, named Charlie. They are hiding from the cruel master, but eventually take a stand for all the sweeps of London, endangering themselves to save others (a recurring theme.) Nan and Charlie are truly unforgettable characters, and the supporting characters, such as Toby, Newt, and the omnipresence of the old master are excellent too. The postscripts by Auxier about child labor reforms and how he combined ideas to form the book are quite interesting.
A wonderful blend of history, heartbreak, magic and mysticism in Victorian England. It's about a young girl, Nan Sparrow, who is a chimney sweep, indentured to a cruel master, and barely surviving. When she is almost killed while cleaning chimneys in a prestigious girls school, she is saved by a piece of char from her old master. From this warm char, Nan grows a golem, named Charlie. They are hiding from the cruel master, but eventually take a stand for all the sweeps of London, endangering themselves to save others (a recurring theme.) Nan and Charlie are truly unforgettable characters, and the supporting characters, such as Toby, Newt, and the omnipresence of the old master are excellent too. The postscripts by Auxier about child labor reforms and how he combined ideas to form the book are quite interesting.
March 28, 2019
5 brilliant stars. Storytelling perfection with beautiful characters that leap of the page and live in the real world, at least in the hearts of the reader. The writing is at times lilting and lush and at others straightforward and simple. And one of those historical fiction novels that makes you want to learn everything you can about the time you’re reading about.
It’s about friendship, and saving yourself by saving others, it’s about folktales coming to life, it’s about living with purpose, it’s about making the world a better place, even if it means heartbreaking sacrifices. It’s about kindness and softening and what really makes a monster. Oooh it’s so good.
It’s about friendship, and saving yourself by saving others, it’s about folktales coming to life, it’s about living with purpose, it’s about making the world a better place, even if it means heartbreaking sacrifices. It’s about kindness and softening and what really makes a monster. Oooh it’s so good.
June 8, 2021
Sweep
The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
By: Jonathan Auxier
This is a story about a little girl as a chimney sweep. She was with a man who raised her and loved her all her life. Then when she was 6 years old, he just left. She has friends, and enemies. She ended up being a indentured slave practically to a cruel man, along with many others about her age.
The story picks up at age 11 when something happens to cause the special stone the sweep man left for her, along with his hat, that changes her life. It becomes alive. It grows.
It's a very heartwarming story and heartbreaking story. I have to say I shed A few tears in here a couple of times.
The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
By: Jonathan Auxier
This is a story about a little girl as a chimney sweep. She was with a man who raised her and loved her all her life. Then when she was 6 years old, he just left. She has friends, and enemies. She ended up being a indentured slave practically to a cruel man, along with many others about her age.
The story picks up at age 11 when something happens to cause the special stone the sweep man left for her, along with his hat, that changes her life. It becomes alive. It grows.
It's a very heartwarming story and heartbreaking story. I have to say I shed A few tears in here a couple of times.
February 14, 2021
<3 “We save ourselves by saving others” <3
June 3, 2019
I haven't read much middle grade, so when Katie and Krista picked it as the #middlegrademarch group read on bookstagram, I figured I'd give it a try. (To be perfectly honest, the cover sold me... I didn't even read the synopsis before purchasing.)
The story is quick but emotional, with wonderful themes about friendship and caring for others. With a plucky, strong, smart female protagonist, it's a great story for all ages. Plus, who doesn't love a lovable monster? I'd recommend this whether you're new to middle grade or a seasoned middle grade reader, and it'd be a great one to read with your kids, too.
The story is quick but emotional, with wonderful themes about friendship and caring for others. With a plucky, strong, smart female protagonist, it's a great story for all ages. Plus, who doesn't love a lovable monster? I'd recommend this whether you're new to middle grade or a seasoned middle grade reader, and it'd be a great one to read with your kids, too.
August 13, 2020
This book was so much more than I expected. The writing is lovely and the themes (for example, friendship, sacrifice, and standing up against what is wrong) are complex. Some middle-grades books talk down to children; this one didn’t do that at all. I always appreciate books that show an appreciation for classic literature, and this one does that, too. I found myself completely “swept” up in the story and am excited to share it with my children.
March 10, 2021
1st book down for silhouette on the cover prompt for MG March! This book wrapped itself around my heart, & I loved it. I did cry a few times, but I’m fine lol Such a heartwarming story, & heartbreaking at the same time. Reading the authors note in the back, you realize how some things in the book are based on facts. There really were children sweeps, & it was apparently even worse than what they were in the book. Also, what Jewish people went through. This was based in the late 1800s. I had no idea. We were only taught in school about the Holocaust-which was horrific & tragic. I thought that’s where all that ignorance started, but in reality Jewish people have been the focus of so much hatred for such a long time-all w/the most ignorant reasoning I’ve ever heard. Nan is such a amazing, & strong girl. So smart too. Even though we never meet him except in Nan’s dreams, I thought the Sweep was such an amazing man. He was her father in every way that matters, & did everything in his power to look out for her-even in his last days w/her, & continuing on when she was on her own. I was so fascinated by Golems, the sweeps, all of it. The author gives many book recommendations in the back that I am going to definitely be looking into. I really want to learn more. Charlie had my whole heart. Toby has a place in my heart as well-such a great kid & friend to Nan..but Charlie..I love him so much. The story of him & Nan was so beautiful. I felt lucky to read it. I’ve said before how when reading historical fiction(which some things are based on facts usually) it always infuriates me how badly certain children were treated back in history. Honestly, some still are-we just don’t see it on display like back then. Child labor is still a huge problem. Also, anti-Semitism continues today as well. How sad is that. Over a 100 years later..still dealing w/the same problems. “We save ourselves by saving others.” What a great message, & so true. Highly recommend. Beautiful cover by Dadu Shin. Perfect.💜 “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Edit: Oh! Also, one of my favorite things brought up in MG-who the real monsters are. There are real “monsters” walking among us everyday, who may look very nice on the outside. People should be judged on their actions, who they are inside at their core. Not any outward appearance. Charlie is considered a “monster”, but those people being mean to him, throwing things etc are more monsters, in my opinion, any day. The people seeing those kid sweepers, & how they live & how many die-but look the other way only caring about their chimney being clean..monsters.
Edit: Oh! Also, one of my favorite things brought up in MG-who the real monsters are. There are real “monsters” walking among us everyday, who may look very nice on the outside. People should be judged on their actions, who they are inside at their core. Not any outward appearance. Charlie is considered a “monster”, but those people being mean to him, throwing things etc are more monsters, in my opinion, any day. The people seeing those kid sweepers, & how they live & how many die-but look the other way only caring about their chimney being clean..monsters.
October 28, 2018
One of the best books of the year. Did I cry? Yes. Did I laugh out loud? Yes. Did I cheer? Yes. When I was book talking it the other day, one of my book club members said she's reading it too. This is a book that you just have to look at another reader and say- it's that good, isn't it? Yes it is.
December 28, 2018
This book has it all. I hope it wins the Newbery.
May 4, 2021
I think I'll never fully recover from this story 💔💔💔
It's full of sorrow and dreams. Of darkness and death. Of hopes and broken hearts.
It surely broke mine 😭😭😭
It's full of sorrow and dreams. Of darkness and death. Of hopes and broken hearts.
It surely broke mine 😭😭😭
August 11, 2019
Well. -wipes tears from face- This is a book to make you cry, sure enough. I’m not sure I would have read it if I had known how sad it was, but I can’t rate it less than 5 stars because it’s message is IMPORTANT. If I did not know better, I would have assumed this book to be an old children’s classic. It has that same intelligent, well-crafted charm. And it is one of those immensely serious children’s books that is almost harder to read as an adult. Life matters, death is never the better option, children need to be loved, selfishness is cruel, and sacrifice is beautiful. The tale of a chimney sweep girl and the golem that saves her life...
I’d planned on writing a much longer review, maybe I will have the words another time.
I’d planned on writing a much longer review, maybe I will have the words another time.
January 24, 2021
This is a truly beautiful story! I’m not a huge fantasy fan, but the combination with historical fiction was delightful and fascinating!
I didn’t know much about chimney sweeps and child labor in Victorian England, but I felt educated and entertained by the heartwarming sometimes heart wrenching story.
Brilliant writing that keeps you engaged at the perfect pace. Nan and her golem, Charlie, are such likable characters with all their quirks and you find yourself cheering them on until the bitter end. Will be on my kids’ reading list in a few years!
I didn’t know much about chimney sweeps and child labor in Victorian England, but I felt educated and entertained by the heartwarming sometimes heart wrenching story.
Brilliant writing that keeps you engaged at the perfect pace. Nan and her golem, Charlie, are such likable characters with all their quirks and you find yourself cheering them on until the bitter end. Will be on my kids’ reading list in a few years!
August 18, 2018
Theme that spoke straight to my heart on 8/18/18: "We are saved by saving others."
And this quote: "Keeping alive isn't enough...You have to live FOR something."
And this quote: "Keeping alive isn't enough...You have to live FOR something."
January 23, 2019
I almost had to stop reading this because it was making me so uncomfortable. To think of a small child climbing inside a narrow chimney, a bag over their head to keep dust out of their eyes, squeezing up through layers of coal soot. I'm shuddering even now.
Good thing I powered through some awfully tough scenes because in the end this is a beautiful book. I'm partial to British historical fiction already, but it wasn't just that. It's a magical story with very real historical detail. And, as the author points out in an afterword, "Poverty, child labor, and anti-Semitism continue to this day, no matter how much we would prefer to ignore them." I loved discovering how much of the book was real. The fantastical parts served to enhance the story for sure, but the parts based in reality were my favorite.
Since Mary Poppins Returns is in theaters now, I think that might be how I'd start to book talk this. On the rooftops of London, chim chiree chim chiroo... we may think of a chimney sweep as Bert from Mary Poppins, but did you know it was really little kids who used to clean chimneys? Thank goodness for child labor laws, may they spread to every country on Earth.
Edited to add:
A comment on SLJ's Heavy Medal blog has really made me stop and think about how Jewish culture is handled in this book (the comment is by Sarah H. and can be found here: http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2019/...).
We all have blind spots as readers, and I must admit that I was not paying particular attention to the way the author incorporated Judaism into the story (even in the way I phrased that you can tell I was reading through a Christian lens). Golems come from Jewish culture. I think most readers (if they think about it) will infer the Sweep who made the golem was Jewish. So this raises the question: If Nan was raised by a Jewish parent, why doesn’t she consider herself Jewish? Why didn’t the Sweep share that part of his identity with her? This is hard for me to wrap my mind around. I wonder how an #OwnVoices (in this case Jewish) author might have written it differently. Any time an author "borrows" an aspect of a culture outside their own experience, we should look critically at whether it was done with authenticity and respect.
Good thing I powered through some awfully tough scenes because in the end this is a beautiful book. I'm partial to British historical fiction already, but it wasn't just that. It's a magical story with very real historical detail. And, as the author points out in an afterword, "Poverty, child labor, and anti-Semitism continue to this day, no matter how much we would prefer to ignore them." I loved discovering how much of the book was real. The fantastical parts served to enhance the story for sure, but the parts based in reality were my favorite.
Since Mary Poppins Returns is in theaters now, I think that might be how I'd start to book talk this. On the rooftops of London, chim chiree chim chiroo... we may think of a chimney sweep as Bert from Mary Poppins, but did you know it was really little kids who used to clean chimneys? Thank goodness for child labor laws, may they spread to every country on Earth.
Edited to add:
A comment on SLJ's Heavy Medal blog has really made me stop and think about how Jewish culture is handled in this book (the comment is by Sarah H. and can be found here: http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2019/...).
We all have blind spots as readers, and I must admit that I was not paying particular attention to the way the author incorporated Judaism into the story (even in the way I phrased that you can tell I was reading through a Christian lens). Golems come from Jewish culture. I think most readers (if they think about it) will infer the Sweep who made the golem was Jewish. So this raises the question: If Nan was raised by a Jewish parent, why doesn’t she consider herself Jewish? Why didn’t the Sweep share that part of his identity with her? This is hard for me to wrap my mind around. I wonder how an #OwnVoices (in this case Jewish) author might have written it differently. Any time an author "borrows" an aspect of a culture outside their own experience, we should look critically at whether it was done with authenticity and respect.
November 17, 2021
That’s the way the Sweep made me feel when I was little…like every day was a miracle.
The Sweep would remove his hat in a special way – rolling it between his fingers like a magician. He would nestle the crown in his lap and put the ingredients inside. He would mix them around with the end of his broom. Sometimes he would hum. He used to close his eyes and pretend to smell the story cooking inside. He would add imaginary pinches of salt and pepper. And then he would open his eyes and serve up a piping hot story.
Just as Toby’s Emporium always has just the thing for someone in need, Auxier’s Sweep has just the right amount of magic. It's an emotional read but not of the mawkish or contrived variety. The chapters are brief enough to keep young people (and their moms!) engaged and turning pages effortlessly. My daughter chose this novel for her 6th grade English Language Arts Bookseller project. It may well be the worthiest title in her middle school library, and it ranks as one of my favorite reads of 2021.
Through the eyes of Nan Sparrow, an 11-year old climbing girl, Auxier makes Victorian-era London accessible to young readers – perhaps their first introduction to a society that used starving children as laborers in the very dangerous profession of chimney sweeping. Following Nan’s journey from innocence to experience (a superb literary tie-in to William Blake’s Songs published in 1789), we see her friendships with Toby and Charlie deepen and her purpose in life grow, all the while unraveling the mystery of her circumstances.
As a parent, I'm thankful Nan has a safe adult in her life in the form of Miss Bloom. She introduces Nan and the boys to activism and Friendly Societies along with a grown-up’s take on spirituality:
"Do you think it's a sign? Does it make you believe in God?"
"It makes me believe that the world is full of wonders that I can scarcely imagine. Perhaps that is the same thing."
My daughter and I are in agreement that the real star, of course, is Charlie, who adds a dash of humor to the soup with his Baymax-like misunderstandings and his participation in games like Goodbye Things. In fact, this story soup has a pinch of everything – loneliness, danger and revenge balanced perfectly with love, light and hope.
Miraculous.
The Sweep would remove his hat in a special way – rolling it between his fingers like a magician. He would nestle the crown in his lap and put the ingredients inside. He would mix them around with the end of his broom. Sometimes he would hum. He used to close his eyes and pretend to smell the story cooking inside. He would add imaginary pinches of salt and pepper. And then he would open his eyes and serve up a piping hot story.
Just as Toby’s Emporium always has just the thing for someone in need, Auxier’s Sweep has just the right amount of magic. It's an emotional read but not of the mawkish or contrived variety. The chapters are brief enough to keep young people (and their moms!) engaged and turning pages effortlessly. My daughter chose this novel for her 6th grade English Language Arts Bookseller project. It may well be the worthiest title in her middle school library, and it ranks as one of my favorite reads of 2021.
Through the eyes of Nan Sparrow, an 11-year old climbing girl, Auxier makes Victorian-era London accessible to young readers – perhaps their first introduction to a society that used starving children as laborers in the very dangerous profession of chimney sweeping. Following Nan’s journey from innocence to experience (a superb literary tie-in to William Blake’s Songs published in 1789), we see her friendships with Toby and Charlie deepen and her purpose in life grow, all the while unraveling the mystery of her circumstances.
As a parent, I'm thankful Nan has a safe adult in her life in the form of Miss Bloom. She introduces Nan and the boys to activism and Friendly Societies along with a grown-up’s take on spirituality:
"Do you think it's a sign? Does it make you believe in God?"
"It makes me believe that the world is full of wonders that I can scarcely imagine. Perhaps that is the same thing."
My daughter and I are in agreement that the real star, of course, is Charlie, who adds a dash of humor to the soup with his Baymax-like misunderstandings and his participation in games like Goodbye Things. In fact, this story soup has a pinch of everything – loneliness, danger and revenge balanced perfectly with love, light and hope.
Miraculous.
June 21, 2018
As far as I know, there wasn't a Golem in Victorian London, but the truth of this historical fantasy is that there had been chimney sweeps since the great fire of London in 1666, and it was't until 1875 that a law was passed that was strong enough to protect the children that were as young as four, that were used to climb up and clean the chimneys.
This story takes place just in 1874, and is about one such Sweep, a girl named Nan, abused, indentured to a cruel master, whose original master died, and left her a piece of char that gave her warmth. It is from this warm char that she grows her monster, or Golem, Charlie.
The original book was called Soot Golem, which is sweet, and to the point, but the name was changed, I believe, to show that it was a girl sweep which was a bit unusual, although girls were used as sweeps, as were boys.
This was a fun book, as we follow Nan, and Charlie, the monster, as they try to survive in Victorian London, while hiding from her previous master, who wants her dead.
The only issue I had with the story, where I had to suspect my disbelief, was not the golem, but on the house they hid in. Surely the neighbors would have noticed, a) smoke from the chimneys, and b) light from the windows. Although, this was the height of the "london fog", where the air was very polluted, so perhaps they couldn't notice such things.
Good characters, good friendships, and Charlie is a delight.
#SweepTheBook #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This story takes place just in 1874, and is about one such Sweep, a girl named Nan, abused, indentured to a cruel master, whose original master died, and left her a piece of char that gave her warmth. It is from this warm char that she grows her monster, or Golem, Charlie.
The original book was called Soot Golem, which is sweet, and to the point, but the name was changed, I believe, to show that it was a girl sweep which was a bit unusual, although girls were used as sweeps, as were boys.
This was a fun book, as we follow Nan, and Charlie, the monster, as they try to survive in Victorian London, while hiding from her previous master, who wants her dead.
The only issue I had with the story, where I had to suspect my disbelief, was not the golem, but on the house they hid in. Surely the neighbors would have noticed, a) smoke from the chimneys, and b) light from the windows. Although, this was the height of the "london fog", where the air was very polluted, so perhaps they couldn't notice such things.
Good characters, good friendships, and Charlie is a delight.
#SweepTheBook #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
May 6, 2019
Hit the 50% mark and decided to abandon.
I wanted to like this book and thought I would given all the favorable reviews but blah. Slow and somehow uninspired. I was interested to see what the outcome, but not enough to slog though 'the message'.
I wanted to like this book and thought I would given all the favorable reviews but blah. Slow and somehow uninspired. I was interested to see what the outcome, but not enough to slog though 'the message'.
December 31, 2018
What did I think of Sweep you ask me?
Nutshell version: I laughed, I cried, I was properly horrified by the climbing, I stuck all the pages full of Bookdarts. I love it down to the last word.
Detailed version:
I was given a gift card to my local Indie bookstore for Christmas. Yesterday I browsed there, considering first a copy of Great Expectations, and then an Alice in Wonderland themed notebook; but then I saw Sweep. I don't usually buy books before I have read them, but I had enjoyed Jonathan Auxer's previous books and had heard high praise for this one, so 'why not?' I thought.
Little did I know what I was in for.
As soon as I got home, I plunged through nearly half the book before bedtime and then had to promise myself that I wouldn't read it before bed lest I stay up the whole night.
Today I tore through the rest of it, a tin of Bookdarts in hand, and finished breathlessly.
Yes, this book is about a girl and her monster, but it is also about so much more.
It's about courage and love. It's about saving yourself by saving others. It's about seeing the things 'some folks are very good at not seeing'.
The writing is beautiful, charming, witty, heartfelt, and truly a masterpiece.
This book is special to me personally, because I've actually been to London. I've climbed up the stairs of the matchstick as Nan does in those last heartwrenching chapters and browsed though Hatchards Booksellers just as Mrs. Blossom does. It made the story feel all the more real to me.
Obviously, not all readers have been to London, and the wonderful thing is that they wouldn't have to understand exactly just how the city feels. The author depicts it perfectly!
I've just started reading the book aloud to two of my younger siblings, and they somehow convinced me to read the first 60 pages before I put my foot down and went to bed.
I recommend Sweep to anyone and everyone!
Thank you Jonathan Auxer, for writing this book.
Nutshell version: I laughed, I cried, I was properly horrified by the climbing, I stuck all the pages full of Bookdarts. I love it down to the last word.
Detailed version:
I was given a gift card to my local Indie bookstore for Christmas. Yesterday I browsed there, considering first a copy of Great Expectations, and then an Alice in Wonderland themed notebook; but then I saw Sweep. I don't usually buy books before I have read them, but I had enjoyed Jonathan Auxer's previous books and had heard high praise for this one, so 'why not?' I thought.
Little did I know what I was in for.
As soon as I got home, I plunged through nearly half the book before bedtime and then had to promise myself that I wouldn't read it before bed lest I stay up the whole night.
Today I tore through the rest of it, a tin of Bookdarts in hand, and finished breathlessly.
Yes, this book is about a girl and her monster, but it is also about so much more.
It's about courage and love. It's about saving yourself by saving others. It's about seeing the things 'some folks are very good at not seeing'.
The writing is beautiful, charming, witty, heartfelt, and truly a masterpiece.
This book is special to me personally, because I've actually been to London. I've climbed up the stairs of the matchstick as Nan does in those last heartwrenching chapters and browsed though Hatchards Booksellers just as Mrs. Blossom does. It made the story feel all the more real to me.
Obviously, not all readers have been to London, and the wonderful thing is that they wouldn't have to understand exactly just how the city feels. The author depicts it perfectly!
I've just started reading the book aloud to two of my younger siblings, and they somehow convinced me to read the first 60 pages before I put my foot down and went to bed.
I recommend Sweep to anyone and everyone!
Thank you Jonathan Auxer, for writing this book.
November 17, 2021
This was an unputdownable, devour in a day, kind of book. Nan is a chimney sweep in Victorian England. She used to be under the care of "the Sweep", but he left one night leaving behind only his hat and a bit of char. This char is magic as it always holds a bit of warmth to keep Nan from freezing on cold nights. But at some point (early in the story) it gets much more magic than that and we get to meet Charlie.
This book is middle grade perfection. Absolutely shows you the world through another's eyes, has that bit of magic thrown in, prizes friendships and learning and story. It is recently what middle grade should be.
This book is middle grade perfection. Absolutely shows you the world through another's eyes, has that bit of magic thrown in, prizes friendships and learning and story. It is recently what middle grade should be.
February 3, 2020
An absolutely wonderful mix of historical detail, fantasy and horror. And the horror is for the working conditions of climbers like main character Nan Sparrow, rather than the golem, Charlie, who is utterly delightful, sweet and kind. I loved the friendship between Nan and Charlie, and the gradual inclusion of other characters into this friendship. Author Jonathan Auxier doesn't hide the poverty and desperation of his climbers and sweeps from his readers, despite this being aimed at a younger audience. It's a sweet story, thanks to Charlie's presence, and though it left me teary, I'm so glad I read this.
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