Scholastic Inc., 2021-04-05

Christopher Paul Curtis, Author

Paperback

SKU:9780545156677

• Make Way for Books Annotation

Twelve-year-old Charlie, the son of a poor sharecropper, is forced into a journey alongside a cruel slave catcher. As lies and brutality unfold, Charlie wrestles with loyalty, fear, and the stirring sense of right and wrong. His path becomes a test of conscience—and the cost of doing what’s just. Content Note: Throughout the story, enslaved individuals are referred to as “darkies” or “slaves,” reflecting the historical setting. At one point, the Cap’n describes a man as a “gorilla of a man.” Mild crude language appears sparingly (one instance each of “piss,” “fart,” and “arse”). A violent scene depicts Charlie and the Cap’n being beaten by a riotous crowd and stripped, with Charlie described as “just a boy with no hair on his body.” Punishments such as “catter-walling” are briefly referenced. The novel’s strong Southern dialect and stylized language add authenticity but may present challenges for some readers. Given the maturity of the themes, language, and violence, it is recommended for readers in 7th to 8th grade and above.