I’m really rather fond of Jonathan Auxier’s books, especially this most recent one, Sweep. Nan used to travel from chimney-sweeping job to job with her Sweep, “a thin man with a long broom over one shoulder, the end bobbing up and down with every step.” Nan was a little girl who shared her Sweep’s life and adventures, his work in the chimneys and the majestic view at the top of a long, dirty chimney.

But one day her Sweep disappeared. Now Nan works for Wilkie Crudd, who calls himself The Clean Sweep, but who is really the dirtiest kidnapper and exploiter of young children that can be found in all of London. Nan has worked for Crudd for so long, doing such dangerous work cleaning chimneys all by herself, that she has almost given up hope of the return of her Sweep. All she has left of her early life is a small clump of soot that she keeps in her pocket and calls “her char”.

Then, one day Nan gets stuck in a chimney and almost dies, but she awakens to find herself no longer in captivity to Crudd and no longer alone. Something or someone has saved her life, and now Nan is responsible for the creature that saved her.

Such good story-telling is rare. Sweep is Mr. Auxier’s fifth published book, if my count is right, and it’s the best so far, in my humble opinion. Set in Dickensian London, Sweep portrays the plight of children forced by poverty and virtual enslavement into the job of a chimney sweep, one of the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs ever visited upon anyone. Although the lessons found in Sweep, about child labor and the exploitation of the week and defenseless, could be applied to many people and situations in our own time and place, the book is never didactic or overbearing in its message. In spite of Nan’s plight and the stunning self-sacrifice that is required to bring the story to a happy ending, the entire story sparkles with hope and friendship and appreciation for the gifts of sunrise and snowfall that are free to everyone, even chimney sweeps and monsters.

Mr. Auxier suggests a few books for further reading, two more or less about chimney sweeps and another couple about the golem (a creature of folklore that does come into the story):

The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley is the book that introduced Auxier to the history of “climbing boys.” I’ve not read Kingsley’s classic myself, but I’m told it’s a rather odd and Darwinian fantasy about a chimney boy who escapes from a chimney fire into a fantastical underwater world.

Chimney Sweeps: Yesterday and Today by James Cross Giblin tells all about the history of the chimney sweeping profession. Hint: it’s not all Mary and Bert dancing about on the rooftops of London.

The Golem by Isaac Bashevis Singer. A retelling of a Jewish tale about a creature made of clay that is given life by a rabbi so that the golem can save the Jews of Prague.

Golem by David Wisniewski. A Caldecott Medal winning book about a magical creature, based on the same Jewish legend.

Another suggestion for those who go on a chimney sweep rabbit trail after reading this book: The Chimney Sweep’s Ransom by Dave and Neta Jackson. Ned tries to find and ransom his little brother, Pip, who has been sold to a sweep as a chimney climbing boy. Can the preacher John Wesley help Ned save Pip?

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This book may be nominated for a Cybils Award, but the views expressed here are strictly my own and do not reflect or determine the judging panel’s opinions.