Rate this book

The Wonder Of Charlie Anne The Wonder Of Charlie Anne (2010)

by Kimberly Fusco(Favorite Author)

3.99 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0375895558 (ISBN13: 9780375895555)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

review 1: During the depression in Massachusetts Charlie Anne and her family are struggling to survive. Her Father leaves to join the WPA to sustain the family. Charlie Anne misses her deceased mother but feels her presence all around her. When her father leaves she has to take on more responsibility and endure the nagging of Mirabel, her new mother. Then comes Phoebe. A new friend and neighbor who brings surprises that create conflict in the community. Through courage and kindness, Charlie Anne discovers healing for herself and her community.
review 2: Fusco, Kimberly Newton. (2010). The Wonder of Charlie Anne. New York: Random House/Knopf. 266 pp. ISBN 978-0-375-86104-8 (Hard Cover); $16.99. Charlie Anne’s mother has died and now her father is taking her brother Tho... moremas far from home to build roads. The depression is forcing many families to sacrifice. Charlie Anne has eaten potatoes about a hundred different ways. Charlie Anne will be staying with cousin Mirabel who attempts to civilize her by reading to her from a manners book. When Old Mr. Jolly takes a new wife, one who wears pants, red pepper pants, Charlie Anne thinks she may have a friend. However, Rosalyn has an adopted daughter, Phoebe and Phoebe is a Negro. Mirabel won’t even think of allowing Charlie Anne to associate with this family. The final straw is when her Aunt Eleanor from Boston takes her younger brother Peter to live with them, all the while making it clear that they have no need for girls. Charlie Anne, however, will just see about any attempt to turn her into something she is not! As in the Ninth Ward, reviewed above, the distinguishing characteristic is the voice of Charlie Anne. Writers who attempt to depict conversations between dead people and the living often sound, of course, stiff and unnatural. Fusco’s skill is that when Anna May and Belle, the cows, comment on the events in Charlie Anne’s day or when Charlie Anne hears the voice of her mother moving across the river, she makes these voices seem natural and appropriate:“When I get myself settled, with my back lying up next to Anna May and my eyes feeling all happy to be filled up with the sight of my beautiful Brown Swiss Belle, that’s when the two of them tell me how very sorry they are that I am having enough troubles to fill a wheelbarrow.” (p. 105)“When I get to the river, I am out of breath. I go up and sit by Mama and rest for a minute, and I tell her about my awful day, and she tells me she already knows about it all, but I can tell her some more if it will make me feel better.” (p. 32). Fusco waltzes between issues of race, poverty, education, religion, and politics with skill and without ever having any of these issues muffle the voice of Charlie Anne. It is no accident that Charlie Anne mentions the book, Huckleberry Finn—she is definitely Huck’s twin sister. Purchase this one for middle school and high school libraries. less

Download links for: The Wonder of Charlie Anne the Wonder of Charlie Anne

Advertising