What’s so Special about Dickens?

This resource introduces the life and a selection of the works of Charles Dickens—A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Great Expectations—to students in grades 5-8. It details Dickens’ struggles in life and the journey he took to become a famous writer. The author explores his family life and how Dickens used his personal experiences to create literature that mirrored events in his life and society in 19th century England. Suitable for whole class instruction to introduce Dickens' work, as an author study, or as an exemplar for biographical writing. A timeline and an abundance of illustrations support the text and can help differentiate the content for some readers.