Book Review: The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts

I was finally able to sit down and finish The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts by Avi. Yes, that Avi, the Newbery Award Winner. This story is a combination of adventure and historical fiction and would be the perfect book to give to a reluctant historical fiction reader. The adventure keeps the story moving quickly and London in 1724 is such an interesting backdrop.

I don’t usually like quoting other reviews, but I loved how Goodreads described this story, “High adventure from a master storyteller about one boy’s attempt to fend for himself among cruel orphan masters, corrupt magistrates, and conniving thieves.”

Oliver Cromwell Pitts awakens to a flooded home and his father missing, all he has is a damp note that makes him believe his father went to London because his sister might be in trouble. But, without any money or any real answers, Oliver must deal with being sent to a poorhouse, kidnapped and forced to become a thief and later put on trial for his crimes. Will Oliver be able to find his father and sister in the whole of London? Will he be able to escape his kidnappers? And finally, will he be able to survive his own trial?

Twitter Booktalk (140 characters or less): Oliver’s adventure to London to find the answers to his dad’s disappearance, but an orphan master, a thief and a magistrate get in the way.

Title: The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts
Author: Avi
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: May 16, 2017
Page Number: 313 pgs.