Oliver Twist (Barron's Graphic Classics)
Grade 4–8—This graphic adaptation of the classic retains the excitement of Oliver's captures, escapes, rescues, and eventual salvation. Malam has kept some of Dickens's original dialogue, suitably explained in footnotes, so that the work does preserve some of its flavor. Each page features up to nine small illustrations in a fairly dim palette with browns and grays dominating. The panels feature captions underneath that tell the story along with dialogue and thought balloons, but speaking characters do not always have open mouths. The art is curiously static for a story filled with fleeing and fighting. The book opens with a page of characters that helps readers keep track of them. The work concludes with brief information on Dickens, some early criticism of the original story, notes on stage and screen productions, and a few pages on London's poor during Oliver's day that help to put the story into context. Will Eisner'sFagin the Jew(Doubleday, 2003) retells Oliver's story within Fagin's own and is for somewhat older audiences. Though not as appealing as one might hope for a graphic adaptation,Oliveris a suitable alternative for kids who want some visuals with their texts.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.