Oliver Twist

by Joanne Mattern (Retold by), Ed Parker (Illustrator), Kathryn Yingling (Illustrator)

A Little canine orphan, Oliver Twist runs away to London when he is falsely accused of fighting and is taken into Fagin's band of thieves, where he is beaten, shot, and left for dead, but when wealthy patrons help him search for his parents, Fagin returns to reveal his true identity. Original.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Kids, Classics, Middle Grade, Retellings

128 pages, Paperback

Published June 12, 1996

About the author

Mattern is the author of many books for children. Her favorite topics include animals, biography, and history. She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York State.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, cute, abbreviated version of the classic Dickens story. Rapid read, but brought back memories of my first reading it in the second grade and the Wishbone series introducing me to so many books in classic literature.

[Jenny Clark]

Ah nostalgia... I grew up with this little hungry dog dominating my TV time. He brought me to Shakespeare and many other authors I now forget. This is the only "Classics" series I have read the original work to, at least that I remember. They do a really good job adapting it for a younger audience, however there is a lot left out, not necessarily for the plot, but for the over all breadth and social commentary there was in the original.
I did find Wishbones little comments often funny, and they give pretty good explanations for younger readers who may find parts confusing. I was disappointed that Mr.Bumble was nowhere to be found, but he was not a major plot, just a little satire side story so I an forgive that.
I would recommend for young kids who want to start classics, as it serves as a pretty good introduction, and may peak their interest to read the full story as they get older.

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this long ago. The Wish Bone books are great though, as is the TV show.

[Despond]

Oliver Twist (Wishbone Classics) by Joanne Mattern (1996)