Some stories are unforgettable…
As “Mary Poppins Returns” is all the rage in movie theaters right now, thoughts of chimney sweeps are not far away. It’s an easy hop, skip, and jump to this amazing children’s book by…
Master Storyteller Jonathan Auxier:
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
Summary:
In nineteenth century England, after her father’s disappearance, Nan Sparrow, age ten, works as a ‘climbing boy’ aiding chimney sweeps. But when her most treasured possessions end up in a fireplace, she unwittingly creates a golem.
Much to be learned:
Learning through stories is my favorite way of learning things. Here I learned about the Semitic tradition of golems, the terrible and tragic lives and working conditions of children aiding chimney sweeps, and much more. The author credits other classic children’s stories as his guides to writing this tale.
A Classic Tale
When a story picks you up and will not let you go, you know you’ve found a classic. Sweep is like that. It grabs you by the heart, and involves just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. Of course there’s wanting to know what will happen next, but there’s also a strong layer of self-discovery here. Nan is learning who she is, who her father, “the Sweep,” was, who her golem is, and who she is capable of being.
“Up to the Rooftops— Step in Time”
From the first time I saw the movie Mary Poppins and each time since, I loved the rooftop chimney sweeps dancing scene. But after reading Sweep: the Tale of a Girl and Her Monster, I will never see chimney sweeps in that same purely innocent light of joyous dancing again. Learning of the practice of getting a stuck climbing boy out of a chimney by setting a fire below him or her is something I’ll not soon forget.
Power of Friendship
Loving someone gives us an incomparable power. It makes us stronger, more vulnerable, more capable, and more breakable. Such is the power of friendship. Nan’s friends, Charlie, Toby, Newt, and Miss Bloom each have a part in her becoming.
This is a story that opens its heart so yours can walk in. A part of it will stay with you always.
Don’t miss Sweep: the Tale of a Girl and Her Monster by master storyteller Jonathon Auxier.
My recommendation joins yours, Lindy. Good read.