Charley Skedaddle

I really enjoyed this book. I felt for Charley and his struggles. I couldn't imagine how hard it would be for a boy in a war, I think that it is hard enough for grown men to fight in a war. This book brought up many questions for me and I was drawn into this touching story. The characters interactions in the story are believable and I really enjoyed the development of Charley and Granny. I appreciate the reviews, often times I want to know more about a book and there isn't any reviews. So for anyone complaining about a teacher assigning students to review a book, please realize that those reviews gave information about the book and it was helpful to other people. I am so sorry that you didn't appreciate a realistic assignment for those students. It is so much better and realistic to share a book review with anyone willing to read than with 25-35 other students that just read the book!

This book was a wonderful adventure I shared with my 11 year old son. We read it together for school. It taught him about the civil war AND the plight of the Irish immigrant. He identified with Charlie. It was great fun watching charlie handle each new experience/adventure. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR CHILDREN LEARNING ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR!!

Johnny was a young boy in a gang. He was rejected by family and ran off to avenge his brother and only friends. On the boatride there he sees an old friend and gets angered over seeing him with his brother knife. So he has now been abandoned by everyone. Upon arrival he is made a drummer boy and befriended before his first battle.During his first battle he kills a man to revenge his new friends death. Afraid of death he runs to come upon an old woman and stays with her he ends up leaving for home and remeeting his family.

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.

If youre looking for a cival war novel with action and suspense , look no further. I'm telling you this is the best civil war book you'll find.