Sweep

The beginning was great and the ending beautifully sad but the middle was too long and redundant

Sweep is breathtaking and magical, if unexpectedly dark (no pun intended). Child labor is terrible, we all know it, but I don't think I've ever read middle grade fiction about that, let alone historical fantasy. Some might say it's unfair for young characters to face so much scarcity and death, and it is, that's exactly the point. Good thing Auxier didn't romanticize a dangerous (often fatal) job given to young children. And it might not sound like it, but Sweep is fun to read. Auxier does a good job letting the kids in the story be kids, in a society set on denying them the chance.Nan is brave and compassionate. Miss Bloom is kind of a [b:Miss Honey 39988 Matilda Roald Dahl https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388793265l/39988.SY75.jpg 1015554] type, but her religious background adds complexity. I couldn't stop picturing Charlie as Morph from Treasure Planet. Pick up Sweep if you like your whimsical Victorian London with a side of hard-hitting lessons about how children shoulder adult-sized loss.