The Journey of Little Charlie

Charlie Bobo is the son of poor white sharecroppers in 1858 South Carolina.  After his father dies in a shocking accident, Cap'n Buck, overseer of the Tanner plantation, shows up saying Charlie's father owes him $50 for an advance the Cap'n paid on a job.  Charlie and his mother swear they've never seen the money, and they have no way to pay it back.  Even if they sold everything they own, it wouldn't equal $50.  None of this matter to Cap'n Buck who is known to all as a cruel and merciless man.

Even though Carlie is only twelve, he is bigger and stronger than most full grown men, and Cap'n Buck decides to take him in his father's place on a journey to catch a gang of thieves.  As they journey from South Carolina to Detroit, Charlie is treated to the real Cap'n Buck whose ideas on "darkies" are disturbing and cause Charlie to start examining his own perspective.  He's also treated to the rank odors of a man who never seems to bathe.

When they arrive in Detroit, Charlie realizes the thieves are escaped slaves.  From this point forward, Charlie is at war with himself.  Will his continue to believe the things he's always been taught, or will he come to a new enlightenment?

Christopher Paul Curtis's newest book is about a character on the road to enlightenment and is a powerful testament to the value of broadening one's horizons.  It is the third book in the Buxton cycle, but readers don't need to be familiar with the other books to read this one.  It is filled with Curtis's customary humor and adventure, and readers will connect with Charlie even if they can't always agree with his opinions.  This book does not shy away from the horrors and despair of slavery and makes several references to "cat hauling," the Cap'n favorite form of torture.  Highly recommended for middle school students, but be careful with more sensitive readers as there are disturbing descriptions of torture.

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Curtis at TLA last week, and he was a true a gentleman as one could only expect from a man who routinely creates such sensitive and thoughtful characters.