The Journey of Little Charlie (Scholastic Gold) - by Christopher Paul Curtis (Paperback)

About the Book

When his poor sharecropper father is killed in an accident and leaves the family in debt, twelve-year-old Little Charlie agrees to accompany fearsome plantation overseer Cap'n Buck north in pursuit of people who have stolen from him; Cap'n Buck tells Little Charlie that his father's debt will be cleared when the fugitives are captured, which seems like a good deal until Little Charlie comes face-to-face with the people he is chasing.

Book Synopsis

The National Book Award finalist by Christopher Paul Curtis!

The Journey of Little Charlie joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!

Twelve-year-old Charlie is down on his luck: His sharecropper father just died and Cap'n Buck -- the most fearsome man in Possum Moan, South Carolina -- has come to collect a debt. Fearing for his life, Charlie strikes a deal with Cap'n Buck and agrees to track down some folks accused of stealing from the cap'n and his boss. It's not too bad of a bargain for Charlie... until he comes face-to-face with the fugitives and discovers their true identities. Torn between his guilty conscience and his survival instinct, Charlie needs to figure out his next move -- and soon. It's only a matter of time before Cap'n Buck catches on.

Newbery Medalist Christopher Paul Curtis brings his trademark humor and heart to this story of a boy struggling to do right in the face of history's cruelest evils.

Review Quotes

Praise for the Buxton Chronicles:



"Curtis is a master at balancing the serious and the lighthearted." -- New York Times Book Review, on Elijah of Buxton



* "A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller." -- Booklist, starred review, on Elijah of Buxton



"Curtis deftly makes what might have been simply heart-rending hopeful and redeeming instead... a pleasure to read." -- New York Times Book Review, on The Madman of Piney Woods



* "A journey of revelation and insight... profoundly moving yet also at times very funny." -- Horn Book Magazine, starred review, on The Madman of Piney Woods

About the Author

Christopher Paul Curtis was awarded both a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his debut book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963, and won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award for his second book, Bud, Not Buddy. Mr. Curtis is also the author of the Golden Kite Award-winning Bucking the Sarge, as well as Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, Mr. Chickee's Messy Mission, and the Newbery Honor book Elijah of Buxton.