![]() ![]() Now he's come to live with Uncle Jed who refused to take sides in the war and whom Will's family considered a traitor and a coward, a feeling shared by most of Jed's neighbors. His father fought bravely in the Confederate Army, his sisters died of a disease that Will is convinced was carried by the Yankees and his mother died soon afterward. Twelve-year-old Will's family in Winchester, Virginia has been wiped out in the Civil War. 160 pages.įind this book: Local Bookstore, Amazon, B&N Find Charley's travels on a map of the U.S.What would be the effect of that punishment on the other soldiers? If you were an officer in the army Charley deserted, what punishment would you demand.Find out what Abraham Lincoln said when he was asked to sign an order for the execution of a deserter in the Civil War. ![]() Cynthia Rylant and Barry Moser's picture book Appalachia might make a good book to examine together after reading Beatty's book. The setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains plays an important part in Charley Skedaddle and readers might want to find out more about the area. Carolyn Reeder's book Shades of Gray also set in the mountains and in that time also deals with the subject of what is and what is not true courage. There's certainly no shortage of books for young people about the Civil War and many have horrors of war as their focus. Charley's growth from callow braggert in the Bowery to sensitive young man who has looked himself squarely in the face is possible to chart on a time line, deed by deed. The definition of courage should be a logical step for this book as Charley finds his courage far from the field of battle where he was sure he would act so bravely. This deed of courage gives Charley the confidence he needs to move on, knowing he'll return to the mountains and their beautiful solitude when he is ready. Gradually and with subtlety the relationship changes and, when she is hurt, it is concern for her that causes Charley to confront the panther and get Granny home safely. The relationship between the old woman - Granny Bent - and Charley starts out rocky: she is suspicious of him and makes him fetch and carry for her. There he truly proves his courage by saving the life of an old woman. During his first battle, Charley kills a man and is so traumatized by this that he skedaddles to the mountains of Virginia. Too young to be a soldier, he enlists as a drummer boy. ![]() Charley has longed to experience the glory of war and enlists in the Union army to avenge his brother's death and to escape from his previous Bowery life. This accessible novel debates such things as the necessity and horror of war and the recognition of true courage. "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson tells of a boy's frontier life and growth to maturity by accepting the responsibility of manhood.By Patricia Beatty. She must adjust her life when her close friend is taken to a Japanese-American internment camp. "The Moon Bridge" by Marcia Savin tells of Ruthie Fox, a fifth grader who lived in San Francisco in 1941. The leading character grew up in a poor neighborhood of New York City, served as a drummer boy in the Civil War and matured to manhood despite many obstacles. An interesting story for middle grades that uses this theme is "Charley Skedaddle" by Patricia Beatty. ![]() Maturing and facing adolescence are common themes in children's books. "Lilies of the Field" by William Barrett describes how a young black man helps nuns in a story that covers the themes of racial and religious tolerance. Taylor tells of a young black girl and the prejudice she and her family encountered during a trip to the South in the 1950s in the family's new Cadillac. They show the horrors of racism and their effect on children. Prejudiceīigotry and prejudice constitute a common theme in many children's books. In "The Stone-Faced Boy" by Paula Fox, the young boy seems to be rejected by his family and only as a result of coping with difficult situations does his family come to accept him. For example, the book, "Everywhere" by Bruce Brooks show the relationship between a young boy and his aging grandfather. All families are different, and yet there is is something common in family life. ![]()
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