Charlie's Story [Paperback]

Maeve Friel (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

Abandoned by her mother at Victoria Station in London when she is only four, Charlotte "Charlie" Collins is sent to live with her father in Dublin. Now fourteen, Charlie struggles to come to terms with the reasons for her mother's desertion, her father's silence, and the cruelty of her classmates.
When haunting memories and the threat of violence push Charlie to the brink of despair, a strange new friend helps her find the strength and courage to face her tormentors and free herself from her inner demons.
In this compelling story of desperation and hope, of betrayal and second chances, Maeve Friel depicts a tough young heroine who will command your admiration and respect.
Intense, disturbing, and deeply moving, Maeve Friel's book is a harrowing account of one girl's struggle to overcome her fears and turn her life around.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-10. Charlotte ("Charlie") Collins lives a miserable, hunted existence in Dublin. Once it's discovered that she was the celebrated "abandoned baby" years earlier, left by her unstable mother in a London subway, Charlie has been tormented by the cruel in-crowd at school. Longing for acceptance and for a family that could provide more support, Charlie wanders through her days under a cloud of pain. Not that her father and extended family and several school adults are all unaccepting or totally uncaring--they simply don't realize the force of the enemy the girl faces. Friel has penned a masterful portrait of children's torment of other children and the bleak emotional landscape of a desperate young teen. Granted, an exciting climax resolves a little too neatly and a rescuing friend appears a little too conveniently, but this is nonetheless an extraordinary tale about the power that bullies wield, a bit reminiscent of Cormier's Chocolate War. Anne O'Malley --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Carefully developed characters and setting bring this story to life... The intensity of [the bullies'] attitudes and actions rival the evil in Lord of the Flies, only in civilization, not removed from it.... The story is compelling and thought provoking.... A good choice for booktalking." --VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
"Friel has penned a masterful portrait of children's torment of other children and the bleak emotional landscape of a desperate young teen.... An extraordinary tale about the power that bullies wield, a bit reminiscent of Cormier's Chocolate War." --Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561453153
• ISBN-13: 978-1561453153
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,213,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed the story., December 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Charlie's Story (Hardcover)

I thought the story started kind of slow, but gradually I was drawn in to the book to the point that I could not put it down. I got angry as I read about each struggle that the main character went through, and I was relieved at the end when everything worked out for the main character. It was very enjoyable for me.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars groovy, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Charlie's Story (Hardcover)

This book was very emotional and very hard to put down.Charlie goes through bullying from hell I advise you to read it. it's worth 10/10.