Edition |
First edition. |
Description |
290 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm |
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text txt rdacontent |
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still image sti rdacontent |
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unmediated n rdamedia |
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volume nc rdacarrier |
Note |
"A Junior Library Guild Selection"--Jacket flap. |
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"For the first time since leaving home, I felt something break loose inside, as though I'd been holding my breath for weeks. I was in America."--Back jacket. |
Contents |
Prologue : Late Winter, 1887 : Containing the history of a contract, with a word or two about a donkey -- Book One. Spring, 1887 : In which my (mis)adventures begin and many tearful goodbyes are said ; Giving an account of a dusty journey by foot; another goodbye ; Arrival, after a disagreeable (and often disgusting) crossing ; Containing a grave and shocking event that may disturb some readers ; I encounter meddlers and am tormented by a sausage ; I meet the Prince of Bandit's Roost ; A chapter covering many long and dismal days; observations on horses ; In which I receive an intriguing invitation ; I visit Wall Street and witness an impressive demonstration by experts ; Of several new matters not expected, including sausages ; I embark on a rewarding new pastime, which virtuous readers will undoubtedly find objectionable ; In which I make an audacious proposal of dubious merit -- Book Two. Fall, 1887 : A little chapter containing a small but significant incident ; Containing new surprising revelations and a terrible but predictable episode ; A long chapter detailing the dire consequences of the preceding misadventure and introducing several new personages ; Showing the sort of insalubrious instruction provided to inmates at the House of Refuge ; Containing rather a lot, including a heated discussion about the relative merits of going under or over a nail-biting account of a daring escaped, and a lie -- |
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Book Three. Spring, 1888 : Being very full of daring (but once again disruptable) acts ; Containing a storm so terrible that the reader cannot laugh even once through the entire chapter ; A surprising instance of my rising to the occasion ; A lot of snow and a lot of lies ; A day to be forever known as Blizzard Monday ; A short and slightly sentimental chapter introducing a horse ; An interlude with horses ; Mary imparts a lesson in meddling -- Book Four. The Battle in Bandit's Roost : I meet other meddlers and make a speech ; Containing matters of much significance relating to a locket, a dog, and a most difficult reunion ; In which much is revealed and I begin to become unmuddled ; A bandit's plan ; In which the plan continues to unfold in breathtaking fashion ; What I owe the donkey; Saint Rocco and me ; In which, at last, I put everything right and the history approaches its end -- Epilogue : Spring, 1889 : Gving a delightful account of a parade, as well as some unexpected events that provide a satisfying and heartwarming conclusion to the tale -- A note from the author : Containing a variety of facts and resources of possible interest to the rader, as well as information illuminating historical personages. |
Summary |
"Eleven-year-old Rocco is an Italian immigrant who finds himself alone in New York City after he's sold to a padrone by his poverty-stricken parents. While working as a street musician, he meets the boys of the infamous Bandits' Roost, who teach him the art of pickpocketing. Rocco embraces his new life of crime--he's good at it, and it's more lucrative than banging a triangle on the street corner. But when he meets Meddlin' Mary, a strong-hearted Irish girl who's determined to help the horses of New York City, things begin to change. Rocco begins to reexamine his life--and take his future into his own hands."-- From amazon.com. |
Study Program |
AR RL 5.1 9.0 181143 PCMS. |
Subject |
Pickpockets -- Fiction.
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Child labor -- Fiction.
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Child abuse -- Fiction.
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Immigrants -- Fiction.
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Italians -- New York (State) -- New York -- Fiction.
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Animals -- Treatment -- Fiction.
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Conduct of life -- Fiction.
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New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 19th century -- Fiction.
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New York (State) -- History -- 19th century -- Fiction.
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Genre/Form |
Historical fiction.
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Added Title |
Muddled misadventures of a pickpocket |
ISBN |
9780385754996 |
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038575499X |
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