What do you think?
Rate this book
Ten Boys from Dickens
Excerpt from Ten Boys From Dickens
IN this small volume there are presented as complete stories the boy-lives portrayed in the works of Charles Dickens. The boys are followed only to the threshold of manhood, and in all cases the original text of the story has been kept, except where of necessity a phrase or paragraph has been inserted to connect passages; - while the net-work of characters with which the boys are surrounded in the books from which they are taken, has been eliminated, except where such characters seem necessary to the development of the story in hand.
Charles Dickens was a loyal champion of all boys, and underlying his pen pictures of them was an earnest desire to remedy evils which he had found existing in London and its suburbs. Poor Jo, who was always being "moved on," David Copperfield, whose early life was a picture of Dickens' own childhood, workhouse-reared Oliver, and the miserable wretches at Dotheboy Hall were no mere creations of an author's vivid imagination. They were descriptions of living boys, the victims of tyranny and oppression which Dickens felt he must in some way alleviate.
IN this small volume there are presented as complete stories the boy-lives portrayed in the works of Charles Dickens. The boys are followed only to the threshold of manhood, and in all cases the original text of the story has been kept, except where of necessity a phrase or paragraph has been inserted to connect passages; - while the net-work of characters with which the boys are surrounded in the books from which they are taken, has been eliminated, except where such characters seem necessary to the development of the story in hand.
Charles Dickens was a loyal champion of all boys, and underlying his pen pictures of them was an earnest desire to remedy evils which he had found existing in London and its suburbs. Poor Jo, who was always being "moved on," David Copperfield, whose early life was a picture of Dickens' own childhood, workhouse-reared Oliver, and the miserable wretches at Dotheboy Hall were no mere creations of an author's vivid imagination. They were descriptions of living boys, the victims of tyranny and oppression which Dickens felt he must in some way alleviate.
251 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1901
About the author
Kate Dickinson Sweetser
49 books2 followersKate Dickinson Sweetser (1870–1939) was an American author known in her time for writing juvenile fiction and compilations. She was born in New York City to Charles H. and Mary N. Sweetser. Her great-grandfather, Samuel Dickinson, was one of the founders of Amherst College in Massachusetts; she was also the cousin of poet Emily Dickinson.
Kate Dickinson Sweetser was notable for her adaptations of literary classics for children. Sweetser emerged as a writer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during a time when there was a growing market for children's literature that was both educational and entertaining.
Her work often involved condensing and rewriting famous novels and biographies to make them accessible and appealing to a younger audience. Among her most beloved collections are the Ten Boys from History, Ten Girls from History, and Boys and Girls from Thackeray, which introduced children to historical figures and fictional characters in a manner that was engaging and relatable.
Sweetser also wrote original biographies intended for both juvenile and adult readers. Her talent lay in making complex subjects understandable and enlivening the narratives she adapted without losing the essence of the original works. She contributed substantially to children's literature by fostering an early interest in classic stories and historical figures through her revisioning and retelling.
Kate Dickinson Sweetser's adaptations continue to be a significant resource for early literary education, demonstrating the lasting value of presenting classic literary material in an approachable format for children and young readers.
Kate Dickinson Sweetser was notable for her adaptations of literary classics for children. Sweetser emerged as a writer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during a time when there was a growing market for children's literature that was both educational and entertaining.
Her work often involved condensing and rewriting famous novels and biographies to make them accessible and appealing to a younger audience. Among her most beloved collections are the Ten Boys from History, Ten Girls from History, and Boys and Girls from Thackeray, which introduced children to historical figures and fictional characters in a manner that was engaging and relatable.
Sweetser also wrote original biographies intended for both juvenile and adult readers. Her talent lay in making complex subjects understandable and enlivening the narratives she adapted without losing the essence of the original works. She contributed substantially to children's literature by fostering an early interest in classic stories and historical figures through her revisioning and retelling.
Kate Dickinson Sweetser's adaptations continue to be a significant resource for early literary education, demonstrating the lasting value of presenting classic literary material in an approachable format for children and young readers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 3, 2016
Sweetser excerpted the relevant text from 10 of Dickens' books as it related to the central boy in the story.
In her introduction she says the stories are "presented as complete stories the boy-lives portrayed in the works...followed only to the threshold of manhood, and in all cases the original text of the story has been kept, except where of necessity a phrase or paragraph has been inserted to connect passages."
It is a great way to "sample" the various novels to get a flavour or idea if one would want to read the complete book. Also, to understand cultural references to certain characters ("Smike", "Pip", "Dodger", "Fagin") used in other artistic works. The bite-size chunks are just right for readers 8+.
An unexpected joy for me: the book was unopened, so I got to use a book knife to cut open pages never read in over 100 years! :D
In her introduction she says the stories are "presented as complete stories the boy-lives portrayed in the works...followed only to the threshold of manhood, and in all cases the original text of the story has been kept, except where of necessity a phrase or paragraph has been inserted to connect passages."
It is a great way to "sample" the various novels to get a flavour or idea if one would want to read the complete book. Also, to understand cultural references to certain characters ("Smike", "Pip", "Dodger", "Fagin") used in other artistic works. The bite-size chunks are just right for readers 8+.
An unexpected joy for me: the book was unopened, so I got to use a book knife to cut open pages never read in over 100 years! :D
January 14, 2015
Beautifully illustrated with black and white drawings, this book is a compilation of the (young) stories of: Tiny Tim, Oliver Twist, Tommy Traddles, "Deputy", Dotheboys Hall, David Copperfield, Kit Nubbles, Jo, the Crossing Sweeper, Paul Dombey and Pip.
This is just Dicken's words (with some connections)depicting these boys' young lives. The author's purpose is to instill in young people a desire to read more of Dickens and "flesh-out" if you will the stories.
I am biased in my review because I enjoy Dickens and many of these characters are endearing. Whether or not this would "whet an appetite" for more...I don't know.
I purchased this book in a used book store. It is lovely. It was printed in 1901.
This is just Dicken's words (with some connections)depicting these boys' young lives. The author's purpose is to instill in young people a desire to read more of Dickens and "flesh-out" if you will the stories.
I am biased in my review because I enjoy Dickens and many of these characters are endearing. Whether or not this would "whet an appetite" for more...I don't know.
I purchased this book in a used book store. It is lovely. It was printed in 1901.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews