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  • Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

  • Written by: Jonathan Auxier
  • Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
  • Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (19 ratings)

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Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster cover art

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

Written by: Jonathan Auxier
Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
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Publisher's Summary

A brand-new novel by one of today's most powerful storytellers, Sweep is a heart-rending adventure about the everlasting gifts of friendship and hope.

For nearly a century, Victorian London relied on "climbing boys" - orphans owned by chimney sweeps - to clean flues and protect homes from fire. The work was hard, thankless and brutally dangerous. Eleven-year-old Nan Sparrow is quite possibly the best climber who ever lived - and a girl. With her wits and will, she's managed to beat the deadly odds time and time again.

But when Nan gets stuck in a deadly chimney fire, she fears her time has come. Instead, she wakes to find herself in an abandoned attic. And she is not alone. Huddled in the corner is a mysterious creature - a golem - made from ash and coal. This is the creature that saved her from the fire.

Sweep is the story of a girl and her monster. Together, these two outcasts carve out a life together - saving one another in the process.

©2018 Jonathan Auxier (P)2020 Puffin Canada

What the critics say

One of Book Riot’s Top 100 Children’s Books of 2018
One of CBC Books’ Best Canadian Children's & YA Books of 2018
One of The Boston Globe's Best Children’s Books of 2018 
One of Wall Street Journal’s Best Children’s Books of 2018 
One of Quill & Quire's Books of the Year 2018
One of Canadian Children's Book Centre’s Favourite Books of the Year 2018
One of Horn Book Fanfare's Best Books of 2018
One of Publishers Weekly's Best Children’s and YA Books 2018
One of New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids 2018
One of Montreal Gazette’s Best Books to Give Kids for the Holidays 2018
One of CCBC’S Best Books for Kids & Teens (Spring 2019)

"Weaving together strands of Jewish folklore (Nan calls Charlie a “soot golem”), Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, Shelley’s Frankenstein, the history of child-labor reform, and his own threads of magical realism, Auxier crafts a beautiful, hopeful story out of some ugly realities of nineteenth-century British life." (Horn Book Magazine, starred review)

"Auxier wipes away the grime from a bleak chapter in history, where children were forced to work dangerous jobs that claimed many lives. He questions what makes one a monster and applauds helping others, activism, education, earthly marvels, and the possibility of magic. Nan’s fiery personality will attract readers like moths, and Auxier's unusual blend of mythology and history will keep them transfixed." (Booklist, starred review)

What listeners say about Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

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Heartbreaking & Heartwarming

Truly beautiful. Small details of Victorian London are fashioned marvelously in this tale of a girl who has lost her protector and becomes a protector of others in turn. The story makes a great study for writers looking to blend a variety of plotlines and seemingly-episodic events into a story with consistent tone and themes.

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Beautiful story of love and courage

I loved this story. As soon as it finished, I wanted to listen again as there was so much in it. Definitely recommend!!

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A winning tale for any age

An absolutely beautiful and beloved story of struggle, courage, strength, hope and self sacrifice for the good of others. The characters are vivid and the story captivating. A win for any age group. Highly recommend.

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Great story

This was on of the best books I've read/listened to in a while. It has a lot of heart. The history and Jewish mythology are well woven in to the story. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a strong female character, or like historical fiction.

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