He is initially eager to fight, but flees shortly after shooting a Rebel soldier. All Charley wants is to be like his older brother Johnny, who was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, so he leaves behind his gang life to join the 140th Regiment. Then he decides to leave home after joining the Bowery Boys gang and causing trouble. The book follows Charley, a twelve-year-old boy who runs errands for the leader of the Bowery Boys. Charley Skedaddle is based on true American Civil War records. The book was first released in 1987 through Troll Associates, later winning the 1988 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. 'About this title' may belong to another edition of this title.Charley Skedaddle is a children's fiction book by Patricia Beatty. Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, LaramieĬopyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. Steele's The Perilous Road (HBJ, 1954 o.p.) will appreciate Charley's quiet acceptance that there is no one ``right'' side to the war. Readers who enjoyed Keith's Rifles for Watie (Crowell, 1957) and William O. This book is a fine companion to her Turn Homeward, Hanna Lee (Morrow, 1984). Beatty brings history to life with thorough research, unusual characters and events, and fascinating historical detail. Over time Charley and Granny develop a strong friendship, and Charley learns from her, and through several events that test his mettle, that the greatest courageous acts are often done without an audience and for selfless reasons.

He is caught by a mountain woman, Granny Bent, and realizing his danger from both Union and Confederate soldiers, he stays on as her mute ``Boy,'' helping her with her chores. Charley shoots a Confederate soldier, then runs from the fighting in a panic, earning the nickname ``Charley Skedaddle'' from derisive soldiers.

Filled with the glory of war and a desire to avenge his brother's death at Gettysburg, Charley is a perfect soldier until his regiment does its first fighting at the Battle of the Wilderness. When his sister's fiance threatens to send him to an orphanage, Charley runs off with Union army enlistees and is taken on in Virginia as a drummer boy. Grade 5-8 Twelve-year-old Charley Quinn loves the excitement and the gang fighting that are part of his life in New York City's Bowery in 1864.

Charley Skedaddle by Patricia Beatty