Every year, I have the kids in my reading and/or writing group participate in the Library of Congress’Letters About Literature contest. The kids write letters to an author telling how a favorite book impacted their life. The letters are often poignant, but this year I had one that made me burst out laughing. The author, a girl, was writing to Elvira Woodruff to tell her how The Christmas Doll changed her life. In the letter, the author tells Woodruff that use had long wanted to be a poor orphan, but The Christmas Doll cured her because their life was so difficult. The author reads a lot. Mostly books about poor orphans it seems. I read a lot about going to boarding school when I was in school and & wanted to go myself, so I totally understand her desire to be like the characters she reads about.
A few weeks after reading this letter a colleague asked me why there were so many books about orphans or that have a character who dies. She has a sensitive niece and they were trying to find a book that wouldn’t upset her too much.
I’m reading Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell right now. Orphans & poor children.
It is a very good read, but reminded me of a number of other books, especially a few written by Eva Ibbotson.
The 
I just read The Great Trouble by Deborah Hopkinson and The Real Boy by Anne Ursu. Orphans & poor children are there, too.
So, I wonder, what are your favorite books with orphans and poor children?
booksandbassets 