Tangled Webs

Gr 8 Up—An orphan finds her way in Oliver Twist-like London. Arista is indentured to a malevolent master who lords over her and dozens of other children. Her master's traffic is secrets (such as messages and blackmail payments). Arista dons disguises so convincing that she sometimes loses herself even to herself, amid shadowy and dangerous circumstances. As she comes of age, Arista rebels against her disguises and finds her voice and courage. She is lovely, smart, and fortunate. Her best luck is having a best friend and two boys who adore, champion, and protect her. Plot and character development go hand in glove in this historical work, supported by rich details about the intricate social and political hierarchy of industrializing London. The story line involves Arista attempting one tricky and dangerous mission after another. Each time, she outwits danger and discovery with her own cunning plus friends who have her back. The only romance in the novel is chaste. The title's setting matches that of important mainstays in the English curriculum, such as books by Charles Dickens and the Bronte sisters, but its contemporary style makes it easier to read than the classics.