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I often enjoy Avi's books, and this one, set in 1893 New York, has much to offer to readers. The division between classes is clearly delineated here, especially with the juxtaposition of the swanky world of the Waldorf Hotel and the tenements where Maks Geless and many other immigrants manage to eke out a living. The author makes readers feel the hunger that gnaws at the bones of those who haven't eaten for days and the illnesses that often accompany poverty and poor nutrition. Maks is a newsboy
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A gritty portrait of New York City in the late 1800's. Maks Gelles and his Danish immigrant family have a hard life living in a tenement building in NYC. Maks, a newsie, is being plagued by the plug ugly gang and their bully leader, Bruno. Bruno is in cahoots with some shady characters who don't like the stories being published about them so they are trying to shut down the sale of newspapers.
When a street girl, Willa, saves him from the gang, they form an immediate friendship. Times are tough ...more
When a street girl, Willa, saves him from the gang, they form an immediate friendship. Times are tough ...more
A great book with character vs. character and character vs. society plot that keeps moving. Maks is a newsie, selling papers and earning pennies a day. His pretty older sister works at a fancy uptown hotel until she is accused of stealing a fancy watch and placed in jail. Maks and an orphan he meets on the street work together with a lawyer who is about to die to prove his sister's innocence and save the family from homelessness and death.
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I will always think of this book as The Story that Lacked Pronouns. None of the kids in this book use personal pronouns when they talk about themselves. To give you an idea of what this is like, I will now write my review in the style of Maks...
Liked it okay. Thought it lagged a little in places, but was fun. Wasn't impressed by the audiobook narrator-- the mug read without really seeming comfortable with the rhythm of the language. Know that Avi is a great writer, so of course it's good, but no ...more
Liked it okay. Thought it lagged a little in places, but was fun. Wasn't impressed by the audiobook narrator-- the mug read without really seeming comfortable with the rhythm of the language. Know that Avi is a great writer, so of course it's good, but no ...more
This was a very interesting historical fiction about what life was like for immigrant children at the end of the 1800s. It is a fun introduction to mysteries for children and a great book to compliment the movie "Newsies".
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Loved this book--it's a bit like Gangs of New York for the younger set. Not that violent of course!
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Historical fiction
Fast moving historical fiction set in the slums of New York City at the end of the Nineteenth Century. Successfully portrays the conditions under which the immigrant families lived and worked. Discrimination, abuse, the predatory nature of life, along with the poor health of the immigrant are woven into the story. Great historical fiction.
Can't believe I didn't like this one when I first tried it back in Dec of 2011. Must have been the time of year and I was just done. Once I got pulled into the story it was hard to put down. It was dark and gritty and gave insight into New York in the 1890s. Recommended.
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I really wanted to like this one but the writing felt clunky & the book felt too long for the story. A bit disappointed. I made myself finish it.
Cool historical fiction, very intriguing on audio. Quick pace, intrigue, descriptive, strong character development.
Dec 20, 2011
Emily
marked it as to-read
Oct 18, 2012
Sarah
marked it as to-read
Nov 30, 2020
Launna
marked it as to-read
