The Wonder of Charlie Anne

Title: The Wonder of Charlie Anne

 

Author: Kimberly Newton Fusco

 

Summary: Charlie Anne is a girl growing up in the Depression era with her siblings, father, and Mirabel, a cousin. Her father and older brother go off to work at a job building railroads; leaving Charlie Anne home with her other siblings. Charlie is left doing all of the chores under Mirabel's strict watch and the only break she gets is when she goes by the river to talk with her mother who recently died in childbirth. She feels like she can talk with her.

Then, her neighbor, Mr. Jolly, brings home his wife and his wife's adopted daughter; a black girl named Phoebe who has a fun spirit that she shows through wearing pants, reading, and swinging. Charlie Anne becomes friends with her, but their friendship is threatened through the prejudices of the town; especially when it comes to Mrs. Jolly opening a school and letting everyone attend.

So many things happen, but when Charlie Anne comes to Phoebe's rescue, they truly realize nothing can keep them apart.

 

Comments: I enjoyed this book! I'd been waiting to read it for a while! Charlie Anne is very likeable and very real through her actions, thoughts, and emotions. I liked her a lot and felt like we had a connection.

Throughout the book, I found it hard to tell whether Charlie Anne's connection with her mother was being portrayed as a supernatural thing or as a coping thing for Charlie Anne to deal with the loss. However, I felt like it could've been portrayed as supernatural, because Charlie Anne's mother tells her something is not right with Phoebe in one instance. Either way, it is a nice and heartwarming connection. This book portrayed emotions nicely; making me feel sad for Charlie Anne at the right times and excited for her at the right times too.

This book would be good for about the 10+ range.

 

Complaints: None!

 

Rating: 5 stars