Throwing Books: Review: Charlie Woodchuck is a Minor Niner by Dalya Moon

Charlie Woodchuck is a Minor Niner

by Dalya Moon

August 1, 2011
(Digital format)

Middle-grade

I received this Review Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Thank You.

Charlie Woodchuck is the most minor of niners. She’s the youngest girl at Snowy Cove High School, and so clueless, she wore leg warmers and acid-wash jeans on her first day. Big mistake! Almost as big a mistake as signing up for a boys-only shop class.

Just when she thinks the first week of high school can't get any weirder, Charlie discovers she may be adopted. According to the genetics section in her Science textbook, her eyes should be blue, not brown.

Before she graduates from the ninth grade, the girl with the boy's name and the wrong eye color will have to use her detective skills to discover her true identity. She'll use power tools to build fantastical wood creations, and before the year ends, she'll have to face down the biggest bullies of all: the all-powerful members of Snowy Cove’s School Board.

This book tells the story of a 13 years old girl called Charline Woodchuck, also known as Charlie, who begins in Snowy Cove High School, where she will have to deal with new students, guys, shop classes, professors, her best friend Stacy, and she will also deal with the perfect girl, Kendra, who outshines the rest of the girls.

But her history gets a little bit complicated when a science book, at the genetics section, confirms her something. Something she had never thought before, something that makes her doubt about her life and her parents. Is she adopted? Now Charlie will have to discover the truth. what else are her parents hiding? Are there any more secrets?

Charlie Woodchuck at first glance may seem like a normal girl, and she is. She's like any other girl of her age. Naive, stubborn, sometimes impulsive but also friendly, funny and sometimes with a lot of courage. I'm sure many readers will feel identified with her, and others will remember the days when they were her same age.

This is a short book, easy to read, sweet and funny, that talks about issues, problems and situations that may occur in the lives of children. Taking place in the 80s, also will show how simple life was some years ago without the technology that exists today. I'm sure many will enjoy reading it, and will laugh at the occurrences of Charlie and her friends.

This is a book kids will enjoy, and that parents and adults will like too.

Ages: +10