Wednesday, November 15, 2017

The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts by Avi - OPTIONAL

Avi  The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts, 313 pgs.  Algonquin Young Readers, 2017 (Workman).  $16.95  Content: Language: PG (3 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13.  

Oliver is left destitute when his father disappears to London and although his father leaves a note it gets wet and the message is unclear.  Oliver thinks he can avoid catching the eye of the townsmen who wrangle orphans to the poorhouse and have them do slave labor, but he is eventually caught.  As Oliver finagles his way to London to try and find his father or his sister, he is caught up in a world of thieves and hardship.  

I totally enjoyed this story and Oliver’s strong character.  Up until the end this was an advisable read because it’s perfect for middle school boys with lots of action and a great twelve year old hero.  I was super disappointed in the unfinished ending that leaves the reader completely hanging and I can’t find anywhere that says when the next book is coming out. 

 MS – OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.  

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