The Misunderstandings of Charity Brown - by Elizabeth Laird

About the Book

Based on Elizabeth Laird's own childhood growing up in post-war Britain, The Misunderstandings of Charity Brown is a warm, witty and beautiful coming-of-age story, perfect for fans of The Skylarks' War and I Capture the Castle.

Book Synopsis

"An atmospheric tale told in sparkling prose." Kirkus Starred Review

"A novel that is at once entertaining and thought-provoking." Publishers Weekly

Inspired by award-winning author's Elizabeth Laird's own childhood growing up in post-war London, The Misunderstandings of Charity Brown is a classic coming-of-age story, perfect for fans of The Skylarks' War and I Capture the Castle.

Charity Brown's life is about to change - her family have been left a huge, rambling house by a mysterious benefactor, and her parents want to move in and throw open its doors to the needy.

Only recently back from hospital after months of isolation with polio, Charity is over-protected and lonely as the only child still at home. Her family are very religious - her sisters are called Faith and Hope, and her brother Ted is studying to be a preacher - so she's both excited and nervous at the thought of sharing her family and new home with strangers.

It's a recipe for confusion, joy and endless misunderstandings, including with the new neighbours, an Austrian family with a daughter just Charity's age . . .

About the Author

Elizabeth Laird is the multi-award-winning author of several much-loved children's books, including The Garbage King, The Prince Who Walked with Lions, The Fastest Boy in the World, and The Misunderstandings of Charity Brown. She has been shortlisted for the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal six times and her novel based on time spent in refugee camps in Jordan, Welcome to Nowhere, was the winner of the UKLA Award. She lives in Britain now, but still likes to travel as much as she can.