Books set in 19th C
Style: Good
Attitude: Unobjectionable
14-year-old George is the oldest of the 7 Treet children who, together with their father, are touring thespians, forever on the edge of poverty, but forever cheerful.
Historical, Growing-Up
Style: Weak
Attitude: Positive
Charley Bates, a young Rochford boy with no ties, is drawn by the glitter of the army to join up as a drummer boy during the Crimean War.
Historical, War
Style: Good
Attitude: Unobjectionable
Peter Gannet is apprenticed to a locksmith in Covent Garden.
Historical
Style: Classic
Attitude: Edifying
Jane Eyre becomes governess to the ward of Mr Rochester, with whom she falls in love.
Historical, Romantic, Classic, Girls
Style: Good
Attitude: Positive
Maia is an orphan who goes with her new governess to live with her nearest relatives in Brazil in the city of Manaus on the Amazon River, a city made rich by the local rubber plantations.
Entertaining and engaging. Caricature of crass and small-minded Westerners among sympathetic natives.
Historical, Adventure, Friendship
Style: Good
Attitude: Some Care Needed → Positive
Art & Myrtle Mumby have to flee when their house, Larklight, is overrun by giant spiders.
Brilliantly imaginative; gently mocking Victorian ideals and sensibilities; quietly reconciling faith and science. Wild battles with gruesome spiders; questionable actions by a powerful being. Easy acceptance of other races and sexes. Undemonstrative love between family members and friends.
Humorous, Adventure, Fantasy, Growing-Up, Romantic
Style: Classic
Attitude: Positive
The story tells of the adventures of John Ridd after his father is murdered by the Doones.
Romantic, Classic
Style: Good
Attitude: Positive
Smith is a 12-year-old pickpocket in Dickensian London.
Historical, Adventure
Style: Good
Attitude: Unobjectionable → Positive
Art, Myrtle and Mrs Mumby visit the new Starcross hotel on an asteroid near Mars only to discover that a more sinister scheme is afoot, involving mind-controlling top hats, a time-travelling ship from the American War of Independence, and a set of French Secret Agents.
Imaginative cybersteam adventure story. Slightly less pacy than the original. All manner of heroism, bravery, self-sacrifice, humour, and gentle romance.
Humorous, Adventure, Fantasy, Growing-Up, Romantic
Style: Classic
Attitude: Positive
Katy Carr, a 12-year-old in turn-of-the-century America, has an accident through her own disobedience when she falls from a swing and injures her back.
Classic, Girls, Family