1) An Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Tony Ross
Plot Summary: This meta, modern reimagining of Oliver Twist follows Shona as she reads Oliver Twist in Miss Cavani's english class and notices many similarities between the timeless classic and her own life. Miss Cavani helps Shona as she grapples with the struggles of starting at a new school, copes with her Nan's illness, and becomes aware of her family's financial struggles.
Appeal: Aimed at children ages 10-12, this fresh take on an old classic introduces readers to Dickens' themes of poverty, social struggles, antisemitism, and illness. This story is a great way to illustrate to children the ways in which our classics remain relevant in modern day.
Limitations and Weaknesses: The themes tackled in this book are heavy and need to be introduced with guidance and sensitivity, as it may be upsetting for some readers.
Rosen, M. (2023). Unexpected twist: An Oliver twisted tale. Scholastic