Young Charles Dickenss happy childhood came to a sudden end when his father was jailed for debt and, aged 12, he was sent to work in a factory to make shoe polish.By his mid twenties, he was on the verge of becoming the most popular novelist the world has ever known. He created hundreds of unforgettable characters and travelled all over the country and in America giving readings of his work to thunderous applause.But Charles never forgot his days working alongside poor and abandoned orphans. He helped children in every practical way he could: by raising money for childrens charities and writing stories that changed the way people think about children for ever. Short Books is re-releasing some of its finest writing as a newly designed series of six childrens biographies called The Great Victorians. These are entertaining and engaging stories of some of historys most fascinating characters. They tell history in a novelistic, engaging way, a halfway house between storybooks and traditional history. There is abundant humour and drama too.With beautifully designed covers these books will catch the eyes of parents as well as children. Also published in a highly collectable set.

 

 

This book is part of a book series called Great Victorians .

This book has been graded for interest at 11-16 years.

There are 112 pages in this book. This book was published in 2017 by Short Books Ltd .

Andrew Billen is a feature writer on, and currently television critic of, The Times. He has worked on The Observer, the Standard and the New Statesman. His previous books include Sam Johnson, The Wonderful Word Doctor also for Short Books. He lives in Oxford, with his wife and young daughter.