Charley Skedaddle (Paperback)

by Patricia Beatty (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Fighting is important to Charley Quinn, 12, a street-tough New York Bowery Boy who runs away from his Irish-Catholic home to join the Union forces in Virginia. But war proves much more horrible than he'd thoughtso terrible, in fact, that he deserts, giving himself the disparaging name "Skedaddle." Afterward, Charley takes refuge in the mountains with Granny Bent, a midwife with her own secret loyalties. This well-crafted, somewhat episodic novel makes the point that fighting brings honor, and cowardice, shame. The settingsfrom the Bowery, to the battlefield, to Granny's cabinare quite powerful. These, along with Charley's disillusionment and change, give this novel depth and make it one of Beatty's best. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8 Twelve-year-old Charley Quinn loves the excitement and the gang fighting that are part of his life in New York City's Bowery in 1864. When his sister's fiance threatens to send him to an orphanage, Charley runs off with Union army enlistees and is taken on in Virginia as a drummer boy. Filled with the glory of war and a desire to avenge his brother's death at Gettysburg, Charley is a perfect soldier until his regiment does its first fighting at the Battle of the Wilderness. Charley shoots a Confederate soldier, then runs from the fighting in a panic, earning the nickname ``Charley Skedaddle'' from derisive soldiers. He is caught by a mountain woman, Granny Bent, and realizing his danger from both Union and Confederate soldiers, he stays on as her mute ``Boy,'' helping her with her chores. Over time Charley and Granny develop a strong friendship, and Charley learns from her, and through several events that test his mettle, that the greatest courageous acts are often done without an audience and for selfless reasons. Beatty brings history to life with thorough research, unusual characters and events, and fascinating historical detail. This book is a fine companion to her Turn Homeward, Hanna Lee (Morrow, 1984). Readers who enjoyed Keith's Rifles for Watie (Crowell, 1957) and William O. Steele's The Perilous Road (HBJ, 1954; o.p.) will appreciate Charley's quiet acceptance that there is no one ``right'' side to the war. Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: Troll Communications (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816713170
• ISBN-13: 978-0816713172
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #408,622 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Charley Skedaddle, March 20, 2002

By	Jeremy (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Charley Skedaddle is a Civil War book about a boy named Charley who lives in the Bowery, New York. When he sees his friend marching through town with his regiment he decides he should join up. He is not old enough to enlist so they make him a drummer boy. He wants to fight to get revenge for his brother who died at Gettysburg. When he gets into battle as a drummer he finds out that fighting is not exactly the fun he thought it would be. He runs and hides to wait for the battle to be over. When it is over he leaves and becomes a deserter. He meets up with and old woman who takes him in.
Charley Skedaddle is a pretty good book with some good historical events taking place throughout it. It will surprise you and give you a good look at what battle was like.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars charley skedaddle, March 7, 2002

A Kid's Review

CHARLIE SKEDADDLE

The title of my book is Charlie Skedaddle. This book is about wars and big mistakes.
I really like Charlie because he's not afraid of anything. This book tells that you shouldn't get into things that you cant get out of. I really liked how Charlie reacted when he got in to the war and I didn't really like how they just keep on fighting. I liked the ending a lot because everything was perfect.
I think the auther would keep anyone reading this book. I think the auther makes book really good. Some people might not know some of the vocabulary. I liked how the auther wrote this book. This book is more for age's 11 and up. I would recommend this book. I give this book ****...

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Being a True Hero, December 15, 2000

A Kid's Review

Feeling rejected by his family, Charley joins the army in order to seek revenge for his brother's death and to became a hero like Johnny. Charley discovers that surviving and being a hero are difficult in a war. When his friend, Jem, is killed Charley picks up a rifle and kills an enemy soldier.Filled with panic,he runs away and becomes a deserter. Charley is captured by Confederate soldiers and questioned by an officer.The officer decides to let Charley go because of his age,not knowing that Charley has killed a Confederate soldier. Trying to escape into the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charley meets an old man driving a wagon who gives him a ride.Charley talks for hours without realizing the old man hasn't understood a single thing Charley has said because of Charley's Ney York accent. As he walks through the mountains, he comes upon an old farm. Hungry, Charley is hoping to find some eggs. He gets attacked by a goose whose job it is to protect the farm of old Granny Bent. The lonely old woman forces Charley to stay on her farm as if he were a prisoner. Gradually Charley and Granny Bent gain some respect for each other. Charley learns to true meaning of being a hero when he kills a panther attacking Granny's farm and saves the old woman's life as well. I like the fact that Charley got a chance to start his life over again. It's funny that Granny becomes more of a family than his real family. All the talk about gangs, family and belonging to something have meaning even in today's world. I would recommend this book to children my age and anyone interested in leaarning more about The Civil War.