A PICKPOCKET'S TALE
by Karen Schwabach
Random House
ISBN-10: 037583379X
ISBN-13: 9780375833793
Ages 8-12-up
240 pages

In 1730, there aren't any children's homes or Department of Social Services to care for orphans, at least none that are interested in 10-year-old Molly. Molly never knew her father, and her mother died of smallpox when Molly was only eight; she has been living on the streets of London ever since. In order to survive, Molly picks pockets. She then trades the watches, fancy handkerchiefs and other stolen valuables for food and a rundown corner in which to sleep. She dodges the authorities, hides from gangs and struggles for mere survival. Then one day someone rats her out and the authorities catch her. Molly ends up in jail awaiting her trial and sentencing.

After months of waiting in the bug-infested, filthy nightmare of a jail, Molly finally stands before the judge. Will he sentence her to hang like he does for so many other thieves? No, but the verdict isn't much more appealing than death --- Molly is shipped across the ocean to the American colonies.

The loaded ship lands in New York, ready to sell the convicted criminals into indentured servitude. They will be bound to their purchaser and serve him however he wishes for seven long years or, in the case of minors like Molly, until they are 21. Potential buyers line up to inspect the goods, poking and prodding, checking their teeth, and bidding prices with the captain of the boat. The future appears bleak and unfamiliar, and Molly works on her plan to escape and return to London. 

Then a well-dressed fellow boards the ship looking specifically for Molly. Mr. Bell had been notified that a Jewish girl was arriving, and as a charitable act he purchases her bond and takes her home to work for his Jewish family. Right away, things go awry. The Bells force Molly to bathe. They even try to take away her stockings, but Molly absolutely refuses to do so; the stockings are the only thing she has left of her mom. And then they give her chores to do from morning until night. To be honest, not everything is horrible. For the first time in her life, Molly has enough to eat, wears a nice dress, and doesn't have to run for her life. The Bells also teach her to read and tell her all about her Jewish heritage and faith.

But despite the benefits of her new life, Molly can't get London out of her mind. She is still determined to find some way to return, even if it means stealing to raise her fare. As the months pass by, the Bells' kindness eases into Molly's heart. Will it be enough to keep her in America?

Karen Schwabach proves she has talent in her first novel. Everyone will be drawn into Molly's survival story, while the issues of slavery and indentured servants will inspire thought-provoking contemplations. Schwabach does a fascinating job recreating colonial life in America, keeping the pages turning on Molly's remarkable story.

   --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND

Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.