City of Orphans

City of Orphans by Avi
Youth New Book Shelves - Lower Level - AVI

Also available in audio book form:
City of Orphans by Avi
Teen Zone CD Books - Main Level - AVI

The audio version of this book is exceptional. The reader is fantastic! I love all of Avi's books, and this is one of my favorites.

The setting is New York City in 1893. The city is filled with immigrants and the streets are filled with orphaned children. Times are tough, and families are just trying to get by. The Geless family are from Denmark, and their oldest children have jobs - including Maks. Maks is a 13-year-old "newsy," selling World News newspapers and trying to steer clear of the Plug Ugly gang. The Plug Uglies are violent and nasty, and have been known to shake down newsies for their paper money.

One night, the Plug Uglies come after him. A street orphan named Willa comes to his rescue, beating the gang off with her stick. Maks owes her for her help, and takes her home to be fed by his mother.

When they get home, they find out that Maks's sister Emma has been arrested for stealing. Maks and the family know she would never have done such a thing, and embark on a plan to prove her innocence. Willa and Maks are particularly helpful, enlisting the help of a private investigator who teaches them how to find clues.

This is a fast-paced story, and highly recommended to upper-elementary and middle schoolers!