Angry Anna

A parent might reach for this book when their child begins questioning social inequality or feels the weight of a world that doesn't always reward goodness with immediate comfort. While the title provided is Angry Anna, the core text is Charles Dickens's masterpiece Oliver Twist. It serves as a powerful mirror for children navigating feelings of isolation, financial hardship, or the search for a true support system when their biological family is absent. Through Oliver's journey from a cold workhouse to the dangerous streets of London, the story explores the grit required to maintain one's integrity in the face of systemic unfairness. Because this is a Victorian classic, it is best suited for older children and teens who can handle complex vocabulary and darker thematic elements. It offers a profound opportunity to discuss the difference between law and justice, and the importance of choosing the right companions. Parents will find it a valuable tool for building empathy for those living in poverty and for validating a child's resilience during life's most difficult transitions.