Poverty in Victorian London

UK Writer & Illustrator

Jacqueline Wilson, decorations by Nick Sharratt

Clover Moon

Doubleday 2016   $35.00pb 386pp

ISBN 978 0 8575 3274 9                                                  Themes: Family life/ NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children UK)/ Stepmothers/ Runaways/ Victorian London

Life for poverty stricken families in the grim parts of Victorian London was a nightmare and for Clover, an artistic and bright 12(?) -year- old cast in the role of looking after her six siblings, it all became too much. She ran away and found shelter in a newly set up ‘boarding school’ based on the concepts being developed by National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Like all Jacqueline Wilson’s books (especially those about children in such horrible circumstances) the plot has many byways to explore and a heroine who engages all our attention and sympathy. It will be read with enthusiasm by a wide age range and could be part of a school ‘project’ on family poverty in Victorian London.  

Year 6 up/ Age 10 up