Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

One of the best books that I have read, since Dragon Bones and Dragon Blood by Patricia Briggs. It is a stark picture of the horror of sweeps climbers and a truth about child labor that we would do well to heed today. It is also a love story, full of loss, and tears, and hope, and most of all, love.

When I first read this book it was during my local library's summer reading program. Since there was no audio production of the work, I read the book with my kindle fire. Little girls far and wide will be able to find their voice and strength in reading about how Nan found her own voice and strength during those harsh times of her era as she worked in the same, dangerous job with the young boys. Nan is a courageous fighter who overcomes her adversities with the help of her Charlie, and her chimney sweep family, and emerges triumphant.

1st book down for silhouette on the cover prompt for MG March! This book wrapped itself around my heart, & I loved it. I did cry a few times, but I’m fine lol Such a heartwarming story, & heartbreaking at the same time. Reading the authors note in the back, you realize how some things in the book are based on facts. There really were children sweeps, & it was apparently even worse than what they were in the book. Also, what Jewish people went through. This was based in the late 1800s. I had no idea. We were only taught in school about the Holocaust-which was horrific & tragic. I thought that’s where all that ignorance started, but in reality Jewish people have been the focus of so much hatred for such a long time-all w/the most ignorant reasoning I’ve ever heard. Nan is such a amazing, & strong girl. So smart too. Even though we never meet him except in Nan’s dreams, I thought the Sweep was such an amazing man. He was her father in every way that matters, & did everything in his power to look out for her-even in his last days w/her, & continuing on when she was on her own. I was so fascinated by Golems, the sweeps, all of it. The author gives many book recommendations in the back that I am going to definitely be looking into. I really want to learn more. Charlie had my whole heart. Toby has a place in my heart as well-such a great kid & friend to Nan..but Charlie..I love him so much. The story of him & Nan was so beautiful. I felt lucky to read it. I’ve said before how when reading historical fiction(which some things are based on facts usually) it always infuriates me how badly certain children were treated back in history. Honestly, some still are-we just don’t see it on display like back then. Child labor is still a huge problem. Also, anti-Semitism continues today as well. How sad is that. Over a 100 years later..still dealing w/the same problems. “We save ourselves by saving others.” What a great message, & so true. Highly recommend. Beautiful cover by Dadu Shin. Perfect.💜 “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Wonderful story! My 10 year old loved it!

Auxier’s books are complex and compelling. He weaves in lots of quotable wisdom.This one in particular reminded me of Mary Poppins and Newsies. I will read it with my children when they are a little older.

1. The Story: How beautiful! I completely disagree with the 8-12yr age label. It is much too DARK for most children. As a teacher, I believe it should be categorized 12yr & up, however most books are labeled according to the age of the protagonist. Don't believe it. Any age teen or adult will get much more enjoyment and understanding out of this touching story. As an added note, Auxier did a fine job of keeping this fantasy true to history. Five star!2. Audible: The believable British accent actually makes you feel as though the main character is telling you the story. The reader keeps a nice pace and volume. Extremely well done! Five star!3. The Hardcover: Defective cutter??? What in the world?!? The pages are jagged. It's as though miscellaneous papers were randomly piled then bound together. SO ODD! I'm thinking of sending it back to see if they send another with the same defect. It doesn't affect the print, but the feel of the pages is irritating. At first, I thought I had been sent a used book which some small child had taken scissors to, but I then realized from the spine that it had not been opened. It was actually published and sold like this. One star!

When I tell you this book sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down, I speak the honest truth. I was utterly captivated, from beginning to end, and I now want to read every single story ever written by Auxier. What a brilliant writer!Sweep is the story of Nan Sparrow, an orphaned chimney sweeper who spends her days performing a thankless — and wholly dangerous — job. After her “Sweep” leaves her, and after she almost loses her life in a chimney fire, Nan fears her days are numbered. But when she awakens in an abandoned attic and discovers a golem made of soot and ash in the room with her, she begins a new life full of hope, friendship and the courage to conquer her greatest challenges.I love stories that teach without being didactic, ones that encourage you to make new discoveries every time you open their pages. Sweep is that and so much more - a book that tackles tough topics and follows Nan as she puts one foot in front of the other after facing so many unspeakable losses. Sweep is separated into two sections, appropriately called Innocence and Experience, and they so beautifully illuminate Nan’s journey from a guileless young child to a tween fraught with complicated questions and even more troubling realizations about society and her place within it. Why are children forced to work dangerous jobs? Why are kids losing their lives due to nothing but their unfortunate lot in life, and what on earth can she do to change it?Simply put, Sweep is a feat. It is an adventure of the greatest kind, an ode to friendship, a discovery of self, and a testament to the power of one voice to create change. But my favorite part? Sweep excels in its exploration of “monsters,” finds tenderness in the terrifying, and combats all of our preconceived notions about the frightening things that keep us up at night. Exquisite - this masterpiece will stay with me for a long, long time.

Gifted to my granddaughter as a birthday gift this is the second book I’ve bought from Amazon hopefully will be buying more.

Bought this for my granddaughter after reading it myself.Simply put its a book along the lines of charles dickens.its that good.A timeless classic I hope my granddaughter will keep and read over and over again.I so enjoyed it and will read it again in the future.

I loved this book and devoured it over the course of a weekend. I am a teacher-librarian, so I read a lot of children's literature and Sweep really stood out for me. It transported me to Victorian London and let me feel how scary it must have been for kids who were chimney sweeps. Nan is a great character - brave and driven, and concerned for her "monster". I have purchased copies of this book for my library at school as well as for friends (adults and children).

Neither my 10 yr old or myself could get into this book...Not worthy of a Silverbirch nomination.

Good book my daughter is excited to read it