Armstrong and Charlie

Name: Armstrong and Charlie
Brand: Recorded Books
Availability: InStock
Author: Steven B. Frank
ISBN: 9781501959622

Author: Steven B. Frank

Narrator: Ruffin Prentiss, Christopher Gebauer, Karen Chilton

Unabridged: 7 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 03/07/2017

Categories: Children's Fiction, Historical Stories, African American & Black Stories, Children's Social Themes

Synopsis

Charlie isn't looking forward to sixth grade. If he starts sixth grade, chances are he'll finish it. And when he does, he'll grow older than the brother he recently lost. Armstrong isn't looking forward to sixth grade, either. When his parents sign him up for Opportunity Busing to a white school in the Hollywood Hills, all he wants to know is "What time in the morning will my alarm clock have the opportunity to ring?" When these two land at the same desk, it's the Rules Boy next to the Rebel, a boy who lost a brother elbow-to-elbow with a boy who longs for one. From September to June, arms will wrestle, fists will fly, and bottles will spin. There'll be Ho Hos spiked with hot sauce, sleepovers, boy talk about girls, and a little guidance from the stars. Set in Los Angeles in the 1970s, Armstrong and Charlie is the hilarious, heartwarming tale of two boys from opposite worlds, Different, yet the same.

About Steven B. Frank

Steven Frank is the author of The Pen Commandments, a guide to writing that Booklist called â€œfunny, inspiring, personal, moving, and often hilarious."" His middle grade short fiction and plays have appeared in Weekly Readerâ€™s Writing and Read magazines. He is also a beloved middle school teacher at Le Lycee Francais of Los Angeles, where his students often intentionally misbehave because he punishes them with fun writing assignments. www.stevenbfrank.com Twitter @stevenbfrank

Reviews

Goodreads review by Ivonne on July 02, 2017

Although set 40 years ago, Armstrong and Charlie remains as relevant as yesterday’s police shooting of an unarmed black teen — or this morning’s borderline-racist Donald Trump tweet. Sure, the novel presents coming-of-age stories for two 12-year-olds: white Charlie Ross, the son of Jewish politicall......more

Goodreads review by Liz on October 17, 2017

The story: Armstrong is getting bused to a different school in LA in the fall of 1973. Charlie's always been there, and he doesn't know what to think of the black kids who are volunteering to come all the way across town. He also doesn't know what to think about Armstrong, who's kind of a Rebel whil......more

Goodreads review by Keep Calm on February 23, 2017

NetGalley provided a copy of the ePub in exchange for an honest review. Steven B. Frank’s middle-grade novel Armstrong and Charlie is a powerful read with an important message. It is written for young readers but will certainly be enjoyed by all. Armstrong and Charlie are beginning sixth grade in the......more

Goodreads review by Ashlee on November 20, 2017

Middle grade historical fiction novel about two boys from very different neighborhoods in California in the 70s brought together by "opportunity busing". Loved the character development and the budding friendships. A few uneasy moments as the boys try to figure out what kind of people they want to be......more

Goodreads review by Peg on April 04, 2017

What a remarkable story, much better than I anticipated. Once I began reading I found it difficult to put down. Having just begun my career as an educator in the early 70s, I can remember when busing began along with all the controversy. Armstrong and Charlie is definitely a work of historical fictio......more