Charles Dickens (1812-1870), one of the most important contributors to the canon of English literature, wrote such classics as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and David Copperfield. Francine Prose is the author of more than twenty books, including the novel Blue Angel, a finalist for the National Book Award, and the nonfiction bestseller Reading Like a Writer. A former president of PEN American Center, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, she is currently a Distinguished Visiting Writer at Bard College. Richard Sala is an award-winning illustrator and cartoonist, creator of the critically acclaimed Evil Eye series, Invisible Hands, and The Chuckling Whatsit. He lives in Berkeley, California.