7 /10 1 Votes
Language English Publication date 1987 Pages 186 pages Subject American Civil War | 3.5/5 Goodreads Publisher Troll Associates Media type Print Originally published 1987 Genre Children's literature Country United States of America | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Similar Patricia Beatty books, American Civil War books, Children's literature | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Charley Skedaddle is an award-winning children's fiction book by Patricia Beatty. The book was first released in 1987 through Troll Associates, later winning the 1988 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Charley Skedaddle is based on true American Civil War records.
Contents
Synopsis
The book follows Charley, a twelve-year-old boy that runs errands for the leader of the Bowery Boys. Then he decides to leave home after joining the Bowery Boys gang and causing trouble. All Charley wants is to be like his older brother Johnny, who was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, so he leaves behind his gang life to join the 140th Regiment. He's initially eager to fight, but flees shortly after shooting a Rebel soldier. Ashamed, Charley keeps running and is captured by an enemy soldier but later flees again after gaining a chance to escape. He keeps running until he reaches the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he lives with Granny Bent, an elderly mountain woman that calls herself a "doctor-woman". Charley learns much from her and gains a new sense of maturity and self-respect. He is inevitably forced to flee again but with the knowledge that what he has gained from his time in the mountains will go with him.
Reception
Reception for Charley Skedaddle was positive, with the book receiving the 1988 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.
The book is utilized in many classrooms, with teachers using it to help inform about the American Civil War.