The Wonder of Charlie Anne

Gr 4—6—Charlie Anne and her four siblings live in rural New England, enduring the difficulties and depravations of the Depression. Charlie Anne's story begins just after her mother has died in childbirth and is replaced by a "new mama"—her mother's uncompromising, seemingly hardhearted cousin, Mirabel. There's no school and little to distract Charlie Anne from the endless farm chores. That is until a neighbor, Old Mr. Jolly, brings home a new wife, Rosalyn, and an African-American girl named Phoebe who becomes Charlie's friend. Ann Marie Lee voices Charlie Anne's narration in a convincing New England accent, presenting a likeable, credible character. Kimberly Fusco's novel (Knopf, 2010) reveals how Charlie Anne comes to know, love, and appreciate the not-so-old Mr. Jolly and the perceptive, kind Roslyn who ultimately teaches her to read plays and becomes a significant part of their community. Charlie Anne also comes to love and appreciate Phoebe who also has lost her mother—but to ignorance and hatred—which threatens to destroy even more. Difficult themes are mitigated by Charlie Anne's well-paced, almost child-like voice. Although listeners come to know Charlie Anne best, the growth of the other characters (even Mirabel) becomes evident through Charlie Anne's perspective. While the resolution may be a bit pat, this production is sure to engage listeners.—Maria Salvadore, formerly Washington DC Public Library