I had to cover up with a throw as I read this book...it was so good at describing the terrible conditions of England at this time. Since I really like historical fiction and also like stories of people who overcome incredible difficulties, I loved this book. I wish more students would read books like this; it would give them a perspective on the difficulties that some people have in the world. ( )

Kit and Christy were identical twins. But Christy was "simple-minded". It was very cold the winter that Kit ran away to London to make his own way in life, leaving Christy behind. ( )

Sturtevant, Katherine. (2009). The Brothers Story. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. 275 pp. ISBN 978-0-374-30992-3 (Hardcover); $16.99.

In the coldest winter in England’s history, Kit and Christy are desperately scratching to eat, stay warm, and survive. His younger brother, Michael, has already died and his mother has sent him begging. Surviving for Kit may be a bit easier than for his twin brother Christy. Christy is developmentally disabled and we are in Essex in the year of our Lord, 1683. Attitudes about disabilities were decidedly different. Kit loves his brother and hates being responsible for him at the same time. Finally Kit decides to abandon his brother and take his chances in London Town. What brings this book into the review spotlight, however, is the fact that emotions about families, especially twins, remain constant. Just how would a young boy feel about abandoning his twin in the 17th century? Younger readers will read this one as a survival story (and don’t be surprised to see readers don coats while reading). Older readers and teachers may be even more impressed with the exceptional attention to the details of the Essex village, including its vernacular. Sturtevant has crafted a book that respects its time but still confronts readers with difficult and important ethical considerations that are still relevant today. This book has easy and obvious ties to history classrooms and is especially well placed in high school and even middle school libraries.