I read Bleak House because I was home-schooling 8th grade daughter, and wanted to ensure—while I was in charge—that she had exposure to Dickens. I hadn’t read any of his since jr. high (A Tale of Two Cities, of my own volition). Reading his work as an adult, I had much more patience (and understanding) with his literary habits. A Child’s History of England—I read that, my father’s childhood (b. 1915) copy, when I was little. And fondly have remembered it. Thank you for mentioning it.