The Journey of Little Charlie

Christopher Paul Curtis's 'The Journey of Little Charlie' is a powerful historical fiction novel set in the pre-Civil War American South. It follows twelve-year-old Little Charlie, a sharecropper's son, who is forced into a dangerous journey with a brutal plantation overseer, Cap'n Buck, to recover 'stolen property' after his father's accidental death leaves the family in dire debt. The story explores themes of justice, morality, and the harsh realities of slavery as Charlie grapples with his conscience when he comes face-to-face with the people he is hunting. This book is suitable for readers aged 9-13, offering a gripping adventure while providing a crucial historical perspective and prompting important discussions about right and wrong.