After seeing his father hauled off to debtor’s prison, Tom Tin sets out to take revenge on Mr. Goodfellow, the man responsible for his family...
read full description
reviews
Sep 22, 2009
SBY Youth Services
rated it: 
Lawrence’s novel shows readers a darker side to 19th century London that persists of villains, smugglers, and backstabbers in a boy – eats – boy world. The main character Tom Tin although not accustomed to this lifestyle finds himself thrown in when his father is wrongfully accused and locked in debtor’s prison. Forced to grow up fast Tom hits the mean streets of London in search of money and is caught in a series of misunderstandings and wrongful accusations that land him on a prison ship that
More...
Nov 08, 2010
Richard
rated it: 
I am happy for Tom that he was reunited with his father and that them together, should be able to devise a good plan to get back home and away from this terrible boat. Though the protection of his father life on the boat for the time being should be much easier and nicer. But I also feel a little lost as it ends abruptly as I do not know if they will get back home; they are both still on the boat and have yet to devise the perfect plan to get home. This story slightly reminds me of another b
More...
Aug 14, 2008
Kendra
rated it:
This is a fantastic historical adventure. It reminded me a great deal of something written by Charles Dickens, but for a less mature reader. I can't wait to read the next one in the series, since this one leaves you hanging
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 28, 2008
Valarie
rated it:
For younger people it can be a little confusing but I enjoyed it. (it is sad) just telling you if you like or dis-like those kind of books.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 10, 2010
Meggen
rated it:
This book is a Charles Dicken's type historical fiction---a troubling book about England and its handling of youthfull criminals late 1800's. There seemed to be too many terrible things that happened to the main character. The string of tragic events just seemed too far-fetched to me. I also didn't have much empathy for the main character most of the time. He did have a change of heart toward the end of the book, though, which I was happy to see. This book is a bit more violent than I think mo
More...
May 30, 2011
Trista
rated it:
Fourteen year old Tom Tin encounters one unfortunate event after another. When his father is taken away to debtor's prison, Tom sets out to find Mr. Goodfellow, the man responsible for his family's financial ruin. But 19th century London is tough for a young boy. Tom comes face to face with a violent mud lark, a graverobber, and a gang of urchins who mistake Tom for someone called the "Smasher". Finally, Tom finds himself arrested for a murder he didn't commit. Sentenced to a seven-yea
More...
Aug 13, 2009
Marilyn
rated it:
If you like a Dickensian tale of life on a convict ship, this one's for you. I chose to listen to it only because it was narrated by John Keating one of my favorite readers. I think Lawrence tried a little too hard to emulate Dickens - really, why not just read Dickens and be done with it? I suppose this is for the younger set who may not be ready to delve into the masterworks. Lawrence is a good storyteller and I will listen to the other two in the series, but only because of Keating's narratio
More...
Jan 31, 2009
B
rated it: 
J After 14 year old Tim's father is thrown into a Debtor's prison, Tim goes to London to try to find him but unfortunate circumstances take him from one sinister situation to another until he ends up an old boat with other juvenile prisoners. This is so well written and fast moving, I would recommend it to any boy...the description of 19th century London urchins, gravediggers, etc. would probably be thrilling to most boys. It is the first of three about Tom Tin.
Dec 22, 2009
Susan
rated it:
The author brings to life the dark and dismal world of Victorian London. Tim finds himself in deep trouble and on a children's convict ship through largely no fault of his own. I enjoyed most of this book. I thought Midgely was quite a stereotype (think Tiny Tim), and the mistaken identities an unnecessary distraction. However, I enjoyed the action in the book and learning about the convict ships that were all to real.
Jul 22, 2009
Kim
rated it:
Historical fiction of boys who get put on convict ships and plan an escape.
Good book for boys in jr. high. Not too long--198 pages, and has some of the gross factor that boys like. The writing was well done--interesting and keeps you reading.
Gives an interesting picture of the time period.
This is a book I won't be forgetting.
Good book for boys in jr. high. Not too long--198 pages, and has some of the gross factor that boys like. The writing was well done--interesting and keeps you reading.
Gives an interesting picture of the time period.
This is a book I won't be forgetting.
Oct 21, 2011
Geokowgurl
rated it:
This was a good story about a boy who was trying to take care of his family because his dad was in debtors prison. He ended up in a prison for boys himself and it is the story about how he survived it. This would be a great book for a 3rd-6th grader to read in my opinion.
Nov 30, 2010
KatieSuzanne
rated it:
I accidently checked out the third book in this trilogy and was totally lost till I figured it out and checked out the first two. It was pretty good and definitely finds new story line options for stories of going to sea, though some seem a bit farfetched, it was nice to get something new. Though I find the main character irritating at times, I like all his sidekicks.
Mar 29, 2010
Gina
rated it:
This book is a bit on the morbid side, but I couldn't put it down. It is mainly about juvenile convicts whose prison is an old ship. Set in the 1800's in England. The story is similar in plot to many Dickens stories, without all of the extra description.
Sep 04, 2009
Carrie
rated it:
I took a chance on this one. It wasn't like the other books I've read and I'm happy to report I truely enjoyed it. For me, I thought it a cross between Oliver Twist and Count of Monte Cristo. Historical fiction that kept me reading more. My older children will read this book and we will add this to our own libaray.
Jul 22, 2010
Crystal
rated it:
Chose this one for a read-aloud possibility with my class. It is Dickensonian in nature and would be good for the boys. There are parts that are hard to read because of the sad life of these boys but I think it's good in the end. I will definitely offer it up as a choice.
May 13, 2010
Karolinde (Kari)
rated it:
In many ways, this is an accurate depiction of the "justice" system of the time. The characters could be developed more and there are definitely some logic leaps, but an enjoyable book.
Oct 13, 2009
Melanie
rated it:
Iain Lawrence writes creepy historical novels, and this book definitely fits. It's not super-natural scary, but real-life scary, which is almost worse. It's a fun read.
Feb 03, 2009
Blove86
rated it:
I rarely ever declare a book worthy of my precious time, but it is so captivating, monstrously heartbreaking and at times funny as hell.
Dec 31, 2008
Jessie
rated it: 
It took me almost a year to get through this one. Nothing happened for a long time. I kept expecting something great, but it never came.
Jun 29, 2009
Evon
rated it:
very dark and depressing. the old expression "if it weren't for bad luck, he'd have no luck at all" comes to mind. fast read.
Sep 26, 2011
Lois
rated it:
A dark story set in Victorian-era London. Another Canadian author I'd not read before, to my shame and chagrin.
Feb 27, 2009
CAO
rated it:
Great historical adventure story of a boy caught up in London street crime and his jail time aboard a hulk.
Jan 30, 2012
Ashlei
rated it:
I would have enjoyed this book a lot more had I been a lot younger, but I liked it! =]
Mar 29, 2011
Cherie
rated it:
Totally going to read the next one. This book is different and I loved it.
Feb 19, 2009
Elisabeth
rated it:
This was a creppy book. I liked the twist in the end, and I liked seeing the character Tom slowly change his opinion about Midge.
Oct 24, 2009
Megan
rated it:
I read this one hoping to find a book that I could recommend to students in my class who enjoyed adventures. I think this one was a bit violent for my tastes and there seemed to be too many terrible things that happened to the main character...even Oliver Twist's life wasn't this hard! The string of tragic events just seemed too far-fetched to me. I also didn't have much empathy for the main character. He came across as very selfish throughout most of the book.
Jun 21, 2010
Jayne
rated it:
Since I love books about the "high seas", I had a pretty good idea that I was going to like this book. The story made me so sad, though! What happens to Midgely is really heart-wrenching! I mean, the author did a good job of explaining what happened, but I cringe every time I think about it. Yet, I definitely will be reading the next book sometime!
