The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts

Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts : A Novel
by Avi
Workman Publishing, 2017. Fiction. 308 p.
Oliver lives with his older sister Charity and a neglectful father, in 1700's England. When Charity leaves for London to seek a better life and future, Oliver is left in the dubious care of his father. One day catastrophe strikes and Oliver, Charity and their father are swept away by the forces of fate and the corruption of London to progressively more dire situations.

Here is a book for kids who like A Series of Unfortunate Events. Oliver is an endearing character with a lot of pluck and an undying love for his sister which drives him forward in the face of insurmountable odds. Avi includes healthy helpings of both adventure and humor and his depiction of 18th century London will help readers appreciate the rights and luxuries they enjoy of modern American society.

Comments

If You Like...KPop Demon Hunters

KPop Demon Hunters has been one of the most talked-about movies of the summer. If you loved this movie as much as I did, you don't want the magic (or the music) to stop. Try reading these books that touch on some of the same topics and themes as the animated hit! Brick Dust and Bones By M. R. Fournet New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2023. Fiction. 247 pages. Orphaned Marius works in the family business--as their cemetery's ghost caretaker. However, Marius also moonlights as a monster hunter in order to earn the costly Mystic currency he needs to bring his mother back from the dead. As the window to bring his mother back begins to close, Marius's exploits get more and more dangerous, and he may have set his sights on a monster too big to handle on his own. Like Mira, Marius longs for familial connection, and his work as a monster hunter will satisfy the thrill of demon hunting for fans the movie. Where's Halmoni? By Julie J. Kim Seattle, WA: Little Bigfoot, 2017. Comics. W...

Five Faves: Witchy Intermediates

Hee hee hee! Hello, my pretties! Here are five short, illustrated chapter books for the season of the witch - some sweet, some spooky, all magical. The Knitting Witch Written by Norma Kassirer Illustrated by Mark Richardson. Oakland, California : The Collective Book Studio, 2024. Intermediate. 88 pages. Outrageously spoiled Ivy Lou meets her match when a witch appears and tries to trick her into becoming her child. Ivy Lou must unravel the witch's dark magic and save her parents. A modern classic in the register of Roald Dahl, with mischief, humor and spookiness. Witchycakes: Sweet Magic Written by Kara LaReau Illustrated by Ariane Moreira. New York : Random House Children's Books, 2025. Intermediate. 76 pages. Witchycakes owes a lot to Kiki's Delivery Service : a cute newbie witch making and delivering baked goods to the residents of their dreamy seaside town. It's cozy and sweet with lots of glowy illustrations. New Girl: Diary of an Accidental Witch Written by...

Five Faves: Favorite Picture Books Focusing on Food and Family

Next month is a month where my family will plan lots of time together—most of which will be spent eating food together. And I wouldn’t be the librarian I am without sharing this list of great titles where food and family are the focus of each story. So, pull up a snack and settle in to read these five picture books that just might make you pull your loved ones closer while also reaching for a snack! Fish Fry Friday Written by Winsome Bingham Illustrated by C. G. Esperanza New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book. The young kid who is out of school for a Friday gets to spend the day with Granny. On Fridays, Granny goes and catches fish to use for the family fish fry on Friday nights. The narrator loves spending time with Granny as she teaches about fishing, filleting, and frying up good times with food and family. Grilled Cheese? Yes, Please! By Tim Kleyn New York: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2024. Picture Book. ...

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog