Charlie is a backwoods kind of girl with a grandfather who is not only a minister but also spends his spare time making hooch in his own still. She lives with grandpa because both of her parents are gone since her father is a terrible drunk and her mother is slowly loosing her sanity. Though Charlie excels in school she just can't shake the stigma surrounding her family.

Charlie desperately wants to fit in but it seems no matter what she does, it all works against her. Then her life suddenly changes one day and she has to fend for herself. But Charlie is a resourceful girl and even when a stranger shows up on her door, she still manages to hang on to her home; if only she can hold on to her dreams.

I had a hard time with this book because though I had empathy for Charlie, I couldn't help but notice she created a lot of her own problems. I know she is naive in the ways of the world but some of the situations she finds herself could have been avoided if she really wanted. I also had a hard time placing the time frame which the story took place. I discovered the story took place in the 60's which is mentioned later in the book when reference is made to Charlie's birthday. Though this book is listed as a YA read, I would have a hard time finding a particular audience this would appeal to. ( )

The book was okay to read. I had a difficult time connecting to the main character. She just let everyone use her, whether she realized it or not. I found it to be a more unique story, well written in most places. I didn't really
Ike the ending.

This was an intriguing story line, but also frustrating to read. It's written for a young adult audience and as a teacher and mother I do have concerns with the vulnerability of the main character. I find her confusion with her emotions to be very realistic, but I felt the attraction between her and the older gentleman that comes into the story to take full advantage of the "family business" to be a little forced and disturbing. The main character starts off as a very confident, no-nonsense girl, and through her loneliness is easily brain washed from time to time to get suckered into the ways of the older flirtatious male character. Yes, this happens in real life, but it wasn't any less creepier to read. ( )

Charlie is a backwoods kind of girl with a grandfather who is not only a minister but also spends his spare time making hooch in his own still. She lives with grandpa because both of her parents are gone since her father is a terrible drunk and her mother is slowly loosing her sanity. Though Charlie excels in school she just can't shake the stigma surrounding her family.
Charlie desperately wants to fit in but it seems no matter what she does, it all works against her. Then her life suddenly changes one day and she has to fend for herself. But Charlie is a resourceful girl and even when a stranger shows up on her door, she still manages to hang on to her home; if only she can hold on to her dreams.
I had a hard time with this book because though I had empathy for Charlie, I couldn't help but notice she created a lot of her own problems. I know she is naive in the ways of the world but some of the situations she finds herself could have been avoided if she really wanted. I also had a hard time placing the time frame which the story took place. I discovered the story took place in the 60's which is mentioned later in the book when reference is made to Charlie's birthday. Though this book is listed as a YA read, I would have a hard time finding a particular audience this would appeal to. ( )

This literary young adult novel is more focused on character than plot. We see Charlie develop as a person as she tries to find herself in between all the scheming of those around her, as well as her own scheming in order to both fit in and survive. She's a fourteen year old girl, who has to grow up far too quickly and Laury A. Egan does a fantastic job giving Charlie a voice. I could almost hear her speaking to me. Charlie and all the characters feel vivid and alive.

The writing is clean, precise, and image strong without being unnecessary flowery. Great book. ( )