The Haunting of Charles Dickens

Gr 6—8—Meg Pickel's beloved older brother Orion is missing. In a sleepless nighttime foray, Meg happens upon family friend, Charles Dickens, and together they uncover a mysterious séance which may offer clues to the disappearance of Orion and countless other London children. The story introduces listeners to the Dickens and his desire to enlighten his readers about the mistreatment of children in Victorian era England. Lewis Buzbee's gripping historical mystery (Feiwel & Friends, 2010) invokes a rich visual image of the seamier side of 19th-century London, complete with ghosts, press gangs, neglected children, and dark and dingy shops and streets. He creates a cast of wonderful, strong characters in which even the dog plays a supporting role. Ralph Lister's crisp British accent is perfectly suited to this darkly Dickensonian mystery. His brilliant character voices combine with the delightfully crafted story and rich vocabulary to create an engaging and truly entertaining audiobook. A great choice to pair with a Dickens story.—Lisa Hubler, Memorial Junior High School, South Euclid, OH