Street Child (Essential Modern Classics) (HarperCollins Children’s Modern Classics)

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The preface is written in the first person, and Jim is with someone he refers to as Barnie (Dr Barnardo). The children really enjoyed reading this book and, as the school was in Ilford and not far away from one of Barnardo’s children’s homes, they were especially interested in the work of Barnardo and the life of children within these homes. Stories and Poems < Popular Stories and Authors Street Child - Berlie Doherty Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll Black Beauty - Anna Sewell Charlotte's Web - E. Savvy but in no way a match for the realities of life on the streets, Jim’s loneliness and vulnerability in the face of a host of demoralising experiences is palpable, with his happiest times spent amongst the many fellow street boys who watch each other’s backs. Despite this book being functional, it is based on the history of Barnardo’s and the ‘ragged school’.

There were a few moments in the book that dealt with difficult issues; for example, the death of Jim’s mother. So that’s Emily and Lizzie, The stickman, Rosie, Judd, everybody else at the Big House, everybody at the workhouse, all the street children including Shrimps, Rosie’s grandfather, the Spitting Crow (her grandmother), all the people from Juglini’s circus, everybody Jim meets when he’s working on the Lily, and anyone else who crops up in the book. The Brethren provided him with a small allowance, and the plan was to first study medicine at the London Hospital (friends from Dublin YMCA gave him an introduction). They slept in barrels, on rooftops, under market stalls and anywhere in fact were they could sleep safely, sheltered from the wind and rain. Rachel desperately wants to participate in pet day at school, but her parents tell her that Snowy, the white horse that tows the family's barge, will be working at the time.Street Child is based on the true story of Jim Jarvis, a young boy who is left to survive on his own on the harsh streets of Victorian London after his mother dies.

His mother dies here, and after Jims escape he becomes homeless on the streets of London and is faced with many issues and scary encounters. Very interesting to see where the wheels for change were set in motion towards a more charitable and caring society. It was warming to see the glimmers of kindness shining within those who may not be so fortunate themselves. Based on the true story of Jim Jarvis, the orphan child who showed Dr Barnados where orphaned children would sleep in London and ended up kickstarting the charity Barbados.

She makes the past come vividly alive in this story that will help young readers to fight injustice. He was eager to become a missionary in China but after meeting Jim Jarvis he realised that his real mission was to help the poor children in the streets of London. What Jarvis told Barnardo about his life and the experiences of the other children had a profound effect. His crusade to 'rescue children from the streets' was one the best known social interventions in the last half of the nineteenth century. But on arrival Jim’s mother is taken to the infirmary, from where he never sees her again and is simply told of her death.

The dramatised version of Street Child is performed extensively in schools and theatres throughout the country. I enjoy this book as it looks at life as a Victorian child in a lighthearted and enjoyable book to read. All authors love to know that their work is being studied in schools in all kinds of ways, and I’m no exception!It is not only the period that comes alive in Doherty’s authentic story but the character of Jim, whose pluck and fortitude compels the reader to vie for him every step of the way as his spirit is broken time and again.

He and his mother were taken to a workhouse to keep them off the streets, and when his mother died, Jim ran away. Thomas Barnardo frequently talked about this night, when he was taken by Jim Jarvis, a local lad, after a ragged school to visit the area (see Williams 1953: 54-7 for an account).

Although this scheme of work was a good basis, it was somewhat limited in the creativity of lessons so I adapted it a lot. I went to the Barnardo headquarters in London, and asked if I could see any material about the early days of the Barnardo Homes. It is the philanthropist’s abject horror at the fate facing Jim and his fellow rooftop sleepers without homes or benefactors that spurs him on to campaign amongst the wealthy for funds to establish his foundation for destitute children and provide them with a home. He was well known for his homes and training schemes, but what was his contribution to the development of youth work and social work practice? They provided a place to live and work; clothes, food, free medical care and education for children.