CHARLIE BUMPERS VS. THE END OF THE YEAR

IT’S MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY!

The seventh and final book in the Charlie Bumpers series has arrived. Charlie’s journey began just as he was entering fourth grade and now it comes to a fitting conclusion at the end of his challenging year. Of course best friends, Hector and Tommy, are at his side, but Charlie is a kid who always finds trouble or trouble finds him.

Hector is getting bullied by a trio of fifth grade boys, leaving Charlie with some difficult choices. He then discovers Hector is moving back to Chile at the end of the year and he can’t let that happen. He and Tommy come up with a plan to keep Hector from moving and the bullies from bullying. Neither plan is very solid.

Charlie’s family always gives strong support. A loving Mom and Dad (yes, there are occasional two parent families in MG without a hint of divorce), a first grade sister and an older brother. If you don’t know the family yet, you’ll have no problem starting with this last book.

The story is perfect for the emerging MG reader. Short chapters and fun illustrations keep the 200 plus pages moving by quickly. Goodbye Charlie, I’d welcome you back with open arms when fifth grade begins. Even a middle school series would make your fans cheer.

PUBLISHED: 2019 PAGE COUNT: 208

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT—

Charlie Bumpers Vs. The End Of The Year

I was a little tired of books with Bullies as secondary characters, but Charlie’s kid- like way of dealing with them was reassuring and done right for once.
A fitting conclusion comes about in the seventh book and a fourth grade year. Elementary students either in or approaching this milestone will appreciate the subtle pat on the back that everything will be all right.
Word play is always fun as Charlie and friends combine familiar words into new ones. Like Disaster and Catastrophe become Disastrophe.
The well-done illustrations nicely balanced the text and didn’t overwhelm.
This is one of those books you can’t wait to get into the hands of the targeted audience.

FAVORITE LINES

Mom opened the door and looked down on us.

“Tell me you weren’t jumping on the bed,” she said.

“We weren’t jumping on the bed,” I said.

She gave us the evil-mom stare and closed the door on us. If she caught us jumping on the bed one more time, I might be banished from my own bedroom. But I was too busy thinking about my brilliant idea to worry about that.

THE OFFICIAL PLOT (From Amazon)

Charlie is cooking up some wacky plans to keep his friend Hector from returning to Chile, but when he learns that some classmates are bullying Hector, he turns all his energy to solving that problem.

When Charlie learns that Hector’s family is moving back to Chile at the end of the year, he is crushed. With Tommy’s help, he immediately starts cooking up schemes to keep Hector here, including a campaign to get him selected as next year’s School Ambassador. (Surely Hector will have to stay, Charlie reasons, if he has such an important job.) As usual, Charlie’s schemes lead to one near-disaster after another.
But moving away from his friends turns out to be the least of Hector’s problems. Three mean boys have targeted him for bullying and are making his life miserable. Hector wants to solve the problem by himself, but Charlie and Tommy see that he needs help. They start a campaign to save Hector and to defeat “The Jerzollies of Darkness.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR—BILL HARLEY

A two-time Grammy winner, he is vibrant, outrageous, unpredictable and genuine with songs and stories about growing up, schooling and what it is to be human—our connections with one another and with the planet we share.

Best known for his work with children and families, his ability to navigate through a confusing world with humor and wisdom is evident in his masterful storytelling, singing, recordings and books.

(For more visit Bill’s Web Page)

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I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

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