Amy Dorrit's father has been in prison for as long as she can remember. That s totally normal, right? Just like doing chores for horrid Mrs Clennam, fixing her sister's dresses (without getting any thanks) and saving her own dinner to feed her father. But when Mrs Clennam's son returns from abroad, he brings with him a host of family secrets and turns Amy's normal life on its head.
Filled with rusting relics and tattered treasure maps, The Old Curiosity Shop is Nell Trent's favourite place in the whole world—which is lucky, because it's also her home. Nell and her grandfather have always been happy with their simple lives. But when money gets tight, the pair are thrown out of their beloved shop and into the unknown. Poor and hungry, with no one to turn to, how will they…
Oliver Twist is poor. Always has been, always will be. Being born in a workhouse means that you'll probably always be treated like rubbish. Oliver does not want a life of hard work and measly meals, but he soon learns that it's never safe to ask for more. What Oliver really needs is a family. But is a family of thieves, kidnappers and killers really a family at all?
Mum won't get out of bed. His best friend has dumped him. And school work is just too difficult. Jayden wants to do the right thing - but how can he when it feels like the world is conspiring against him? Everything is going wrong, and when a supply teacher turns up to take his class, Jayden's sure things will keep on getting worse. But Mrs Wilson is not quite the teacher Jayden expected ... ca…
In her first novel since The One and Only Ivan , winner of the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience. Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. Crensh…
from the back cover: Life is always hard for the poor, in any place and at any time. Ethan Frome is a farmer in Massachusetts. He works long hours every day, but his farm makes very little money. His wife, Zeena, is a thin, grey woman, always complaining, and only interested in her own ill health. Then Mattie Silver, a young cousin, comes to live with the Fromes, to help Zeena and do the ho…