Goodbye, Charley
By Jane Buchanon

     Celie is a twelve-year-old girl living in coastal Massachusetts. During the summer of 1943, she worries about being attacked by German submarines, her older brother going off to war, her lack of friends and what to do to occupy her time. When her father brings home a surprise, Celie finds companionship and something to take her mind off her worries.

     The fact that the surprise is a monkey, and her time is occupied with trying to tame a wild creature, brings many delights as well as surprises to the reader. For example, when the monkey climbs her neighbor’s tree and pelts the old woman with chestnuts. Or when he rips the clean laundry off the line, forcing Celie to re-do the entire wash. The little monkey even introduces Celie to a new friend, her neighbor’s grandson, Joey, who is visiting for the summer. When a crisis hits the family, Celie and Joey save the day in more ways then one, and Celie learns that her problems are small compared to others.

     This story is a realistic telling of a twelve-year-old girl learning her place in the real world, and finding ways to put others’ well-being and feelings before her own. The author does a great job of showing Celie’s growth throughout the book. All of the characters are likeable as well as realistic. Some of the dialogue is awkward: “He didn’t exactly fall out of the tree,” Celie said, “He slipped is all.” Most of the interaction between characters is very good. The plot unfolds slowly at first, but this gives the reader a chance to become acquainted with the setting as well as the characters. The crisis that hits the family is very plausible and handled in a rational manner by everyone.

     The book gives a great concept of the setting for this story, also. Celie’s fears of submarines and whether or not her older brother will be sent to war are not something children of today fear. But we feel Celie’s pain and understand her worries. I would recommend this book to eleven to fourteen-year-olds dealing with growing pains, insecurities and family troubles. I would also recommend it to historical fiction enthusiasts.