We review some of the best books for use in the classroom based on the Victorians topic.
Street Child
This novel is a very popular choice for KS2 classes. Loosely based on a true story, Street Child is the inspirational tale of a poor Victorian boy fighting for survival on the grim streets of Victorian London. The novel is full of suspense and is a gripping read that will captivate pupils and teachers alike.
There is also an accompanying Read & Respond guide available here.
Gaslight
A change from the many stories set in Victorian London, this popular new novel finds its setting in nineteenth-century Cardiff. With a gripping plot from start to finish, this book tells the story of a young girl called Nansi, who tries to survive the bleak reality of being impoverished and female in the perilous streets of Victorian England.
Cogheart
This popular novel draws it readers into a fantastical imagining of Victorian London, capturing its obsession for all things mechanical. Follow the adventures of Lily, a feisty young girl who undertakes an exciting adventure to find the truth about her father’s disappearance. With a little help from some unlikely friends, Lily navigates a world of treacherous villains in a truly gripping race against time.
Hetty Feather
This story by the popular children's author Jacqueline Wilson has recently been made into a television series on CBBC. Hetty Feather tells the story of a Victorian orphan girl called Hetty and the adventures she has under the strict rule of the matron at the Foundling Hospital where she is sent to learn to become a maid.
