City of Orphans

By Avi, Greg Ruth (Illustrator)

A newsboy races against time to clear his sister's name amid gang threats in 1893 New York.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 3,666 ratings

368 pages· 59,631 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

In the gritty streets of 1893 New York, young newsboy Maks faces danger from the Plug Ugly Gang. With his sister Emma falsely accused of theft, Maks must prove her innocence. Teaming up with Willa, a resourceful homeless girl, they navigate a city teeming with secrets and peril. Can they outsmart the gang and uncover the truth before it's too late? This thrilling adventure unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of tenement life, where every corner holds a new challenge and every ally is crucial. Will justice prevail in a world where survival is never guaranteed?

From the publisher

Plot twists, big accusations, and plenty of shifty, crooked characters fill the pages of this harrowing adventure from Newbery Medalist Avi. The streets of 1893 New York are crowded and filthy. For thirteen-year-old newsboy Maks Geless, they are also dangerous. Bruno, leader of the awful Plug Ugly Gang, has set his sights on Maks and orders his boys to track him down. Suddenly Maks finds himself on the run, doing all he can to evade the gang, with only his new friend Willa by his side. And that’s just the start of Mak’s troubles. His sister, Emma, has been arrested and imprisoned for stealing a watch from the glamorous new Waldorf Hotel. Maks knows she didn’t do it–but will he be able to prove it in time?This is a riveting, quickly paced adventure set against a backdrop alive with the sights and sounds of tenement New York.

At a glance

Format: Paperback
Pages: 368
Words: 59,631
Reading age: 10–14
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: HL570L

Themes & topics

Books about family Books about 20th century Books about poverty Books about street life Books about crime

For the grown-ups

The parent guide

What families may want to know

Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.

Violence

A man threatens others with a gun. There are street brawls and hired thugs who steal earnings from young people selling newspapers.

For readers who can't stop at one