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Book Review

Publisher's Note:

Charlie Anne is devastated when her father must go north to build roads after the Depression hits. She and her siblings are left with their rigid cousin, Mirabel, and a farm full of chores. The only solace Charlie Anne finds is by the river, where the memory of her mother is strongest. Then her neighbor Old Mr. Jolly brings home a new wife, Rosalyn, who shows up in pants—pants!—the color of red peppers. With her arrives Phoebe, a young African American girl who has also lost her mother. Phoebe is smart and fun and the perfect antidote to Charlie Anne's lonely days. The girls soon forge a friendship and learn from each other in amazing ways. But when hatred turns their town ugly, it's almost more than they can bear. Now it's up to Charlie Anne and Phoebe to prove that our hearts are always able to expand.…

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The Wonder of Charlie Anne

by Kimberly Newton Fusco

Reviewer: Rachel
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 9+

Overall Book Review:

Like many during the Great Depression, Charlie Ann’s family is down on their luck. Author Kimberly Newton Fusco details this disheartened family’s farm life in a beautifully poetic and touching manner. And while life initially seems full of heartache, an unexpected friendship brings much-needed sunshine into Charlie Ann’s life. 

Charlie Ann is an amazing character. She has an incredible amount of spunk and can’t help but say exactly what she’s thinking. Though she has her flaws, readers will cheer on her courageous spirit. The Wonder of Charlie Ann alsotackles racial issues prevalant during the time period. These conflicts are presented from a child’s perspective and show how love, friendship, and kindness can triumph. The Wonder of Charlie Ann is historical fiction for children at its finest!

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Alfred A. Knopf


Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 1 religious exclamation

Violence/Gore: A second-hand report indicates a character’s mother was struck by a car and died; a character has a rock thrown at her face; a character gets her foot stuck in an animal trap. 

Sex/Nudity: None

Mature Subject Matter:

Racial and socioeconomic conflict, death of a family member, separation.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

***

Overall Book Rating
Profanity/Language
Rating:
1
10
Violence/Gore
Rating:
2
10
Sex/Nudity
Rating:
0
10

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About the Reviewer

Rachel
My mother was the one who sparked my love of books. Long before school instruction, she sat me down and taught me to read. My childhood was filled with trips to the library and bookmobile to find great books. My first loves were The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Pippi Longstocking series by Astrid Lingren. Now as a mom and speech pathologist, I am constantly looking for good, clean books to use at home and in therapy. I enjoy reading many different genres, but my favorites are usually historical fiction. I married my best friend, the “boy next door”, and we have a beautiful little girl who we often find sprawled out on the floor, flipping through picture books. Together our family likes to swim, run and play tennis. Besides reading, I also love to bake, garden and travel.

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