by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Fusco, Kimberly Newton (2010).
The Wonder of Charlie Anne.
New York, NY., U.S.A.: Random House
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Random
Reading Level:
Lexile: 970L
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.2
Interest Level: 8-12
Genre: Historical fiction
Description: Great Depression, family, individuality, friendship,
Delivery Suggestion: Small group or independent reading
Summary: When the Depression hits, Charlie Anne’s father must go north to find work. This means that Charlie Anne and her siblings have to move to live with their cousin Mirabel on a farm. Charlie Anne finds friendship with Phoebe. Phoebe is smart, funny and has also lost her mother like Charlie Anne. The girls forge a strong friendship with each other but there is only one problem. Phoebe is African American. When hatred turns the town ugly, it’s up to Charlie Anne and Phoebe to fight against that hatred.
Electronic Resources:
Vocabulary:
1. antidote- a medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison.
2. forge - make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in a fire or furnace and beating or hammering it.
3. backwater people- people who live out in the country
4.privy- sharing in the knowledge of something secret or private (also a toilet located in a small shed)
5. trousers- an outer garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles with a separate part for each leg
6. wit- mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence
7. diversion- an instance of turning something aside from its course
8. stern- (of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting
9. unheeding- not paying attention
Teaching Suggestions:
Journal activity: How did having Phoebe as a friend change Charlie Anne? Support your ideas with evidence from the text.
Fusco, Kimberly Newton (2010).
The Wonder of Charlie Anne.
New York, NY., U.S.A.: Random House
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Random
Reading Level:
Lexile: 970L
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.2
Interest Level: 8-12
Genre: Historical fiction
Description: Great Depression, family, individuality, friendship,
Delivery Suggestion: Small group or independent reading
Summary: When the Depression hits, Charlie Anne’s father must go north to find work. This means that Charlie Anne and her siblings have to move to live with their cousin Mirabel on a farm. Charlie Anne finds friendship with Phoebe. Phoebe is smart, funny and has also lost her mother like Charlie Anne. The girls forge a strong friendship with each other but there is only one problem. Phoebe is African American. When hatred turns the town ugly, it’s up to Charlie Anne and Phoebe to fight against that hatred.
Electronic Resources:
- Author - http://www.kimberlynewtonfusco.com/book_02.htm this website contains information about the author and the other books that she has written.
- The Great Depression https://kidskonnect.com/history/great-depression/ This website contains information and facts that are assessable to kids. Students can acquire background knowledge about the Great Depression from this site.
Vocabulary:
1. antidote- a medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison.
2. forge - make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in a fire or furnace and beating or hammering it.
3. backwater people- people who live out in the country
4.privy- sharing in the knowledge of something secret or private (also a toilet located in a small shed)
5. trousers- an outer garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles with a separate part for each leg
6. wit- mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence
7. diversion- an instance of turning something aside from its course
8. stern- (of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting
9. unheeding- not paying attention
Teaching Suggestions:
- Use this book to teach social studies and the great depression.
- Use this book to teach features of historical fiction.
- Use this book to teach humor and exaggeration in writing.
- Use this book to teach conflict and resolution.
Comprehension Strategies:
- Before Reading:
- Complete a KWL chart in which students will research basic facts about the Great Depression and how it affected people’s lives.
- During Reading:
- Students will participate in an echo or choral reading activity for selected passages of the book.
- After Reading:
- Response Writing: Charlie Anne was furious with her father for leaving her with her cousins. Do you think Charlie Anne still feels the same way? Why or why not?
Journal activity: How did having Phoebe as a friend change Charlie Anne? Support your ideas with evidence from the text.