![]() These, along with Charley's disillusionment and change, give this novel depth and make it one of Beatty's best. The settings from the Bowery, to the battlefield, to Granny's cabin are quite powerful. This well-crafted, somewhat episodic novel makes the point that fighting brings honor, and cowardice, shame. But war proves much more horrible than he'd thought so 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. “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. Rich detail…readers will love this rousing epic.” Kirkus Reviews. 1988 Charley Skedaddle by Patricia Beatty. “ In this powerful story, based on real-life Civil War records and memoirs, young Yankee deserter Charley Quinn learns that his flight from his first battle doesn't brand him a life-long coward. Summary: Discusses the writing, characters, plot, and themes of this 1961. He's not quite sure what will become of his life… ![]() Then he meets Granny Jerusha Bent, who takes him in as little more than a prisoner. When he deserts his company and runs through the terrifying woods filled with the dead soldiers of Confederate and Union soldiers alike, he has no idea how he'll survive the journey to the West on his own. After months of training to become a drummer boy, he finally sees his first battle in the horrid Wilderness of Virginia. I thought the boy on the cover looked alot like Opie so I had a lot of fun picturing Opie as Charley. I love the Andy Griffith show and Opie is my favorite character. Charley Skedaddle is one of my favorite books. I already read it last year but I loved it so much I had to read it again. He is anxious to have the opportunity to avenge his brother who died at the battle of Gettysburg. I just finished reading Charley Skedaddle. She taught Writing Fiction for Children at several branches of the University of California.Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical FictionĬharley leaves the gangs of New York City to join the Union army at 12 years old. After graduating from college, she taught high school English and history, and later held various positions as a science and technical librarian, and also as a children's librarian. Patricia Beatty was born in Portland, Oregon, and was a longtime resident of southern California. Her works continue to attract readers of all ages." A committed feminist, Beatty featured both heroines and heroes who engage in dramatic, absorbing, and credible conflicts that involve questions of morality and courage. Critics cite her strong sense of humor, as well as a sharp sense of place, as strong points of her fiction. Reflecting her interest in meticulous research, which she likened to detective work, her stories recreate past times for modern readers. Her powerful story of the Civil War captures the secrecy, suspense, and heroism of this little-known chapter in America's history and will long be remembered by readers.įrom Contemporary Authors Online: "Patricia Beatty's historical children's fiction invites readers to share in her fascination with the past. Patricia Beatty, best-selling author and winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, takes readers on an unforgettable trip aboard the Underground Railroad. This ride, and the wagon's real cargo, involve Truth in a mysterious and dangerous underground movement - and reveal how she can help further the cause of freedom without the use of a rifle. Even more puzzling, he asks her to accompany him when he deliverswagonload of hay to a neighbor late: that night. Then one day, a runaway slave takes refuge on the Bardwell farm and, to Truth's amazement, her uncle hides him from the slave catchers. They oppose slavery but refuse to take up arms in the civil war that is now being waged to end this inhuman institution. Charley's older brother Johnny died at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was a young boy growing up in New York City without parents. The main character is Charley Stephen Quinn. When Truth Hopkins's father dies, she goes to live with her uncle and his family on their North Carolina farm. Charley Skedaddle Charley Skeddaddle is a story that takes place during the Civil War (1861-1865) in the North.
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