About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their child is beginning to navigate the daunting transition from childhood play to the world of real responsibilities and work. This collection of linked stories explores the lives of twelve different apprentices in 1760s London, showing the grit, heart, and occasional humor required to survive in a tough world. It speaks directly to themes of independence, the weight of expectations, and finding one's own moral compass when the adults in charge are flawed. It is a sophisticated read for older children that beautifully illustrates how young people throughout history have wrestled with the same fears and hopes they feel today. Parents will appreciate the rich, Dickensian prose and the way it validates the struggle of growing up.
