Praise for Charley

— Charley receives Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Literary Classics is pleased to announce that the book Charley, by Donna Marie Seim, has been selected to receive the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.  The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.

Charley might be street-smart, but he also has a tender heart.  Life in the early 1900s is hard on most everyone it seems, and Charley is no exception. He lives in a tiny run-down apartment with no running water along with his two younger siblings, an older brother and their father, who hasn't been able to hold a job since his mother's death. Charley's father concludes the best he can do for his kids is give them an opportunity to find a home with a good family while he finds work.  So he leaves a note with Charley's oldest brother asking the Home for Little Wanderers to take in the three youngest siblings.  Twelve year old Charley is pretty sure he can get along just fine continuing to steal bread on the streets to make do, but his older brother encourages him to stay with his siblings so they'll all be together.  With a compassionate heart he begrudgingly agrees to go with little Minnie and Clarence to the orphanage.

Author Donna Marie Seim vividly depicts the story of a young boy's hopes, fears and dreams as he struggles to find purpose as an abandoned half orphan.  History buffs will appreciate this book for its authenticity.  And this genuine story is sure to work its way into the hearts of readers of all ages.  

An excellent selection for home and school libraries, Charley, comes highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

— Ed Pacht, Poet

“Couldn’t wait to read CHARLEY. I loved every bit of it, and, as you can see, I read it all today. The background, historical, urban Boston, and Yankee farm, all rings true. I recognized much of the Boston background, and, though I never lived on a farm, I did some of my best growing up in the small rural town of Grafton NH. You struck a lot of familiar notes in describing life in Greene. The characters, especially Charley himself, really come to life- and it is a page turner all the way through.
Wonderful book, all the kids that read it for school will be really blessed.
And, yes, the illustrations! Not merely good in themselves, which they surely are, but so well matched, even to tiny details, to the text. One rarely sees it done so well.”

A poem written by Ed Pacht the night Susan and I gave our CHARLEY presentation to the writer’s group at the Effingham Library in New Hampshire.

Charley

Abandoned,
displaced,
reclaimed
and fed
and housed
until…
a home was found.
Hard times,
hard hearts,
love appears,
triumphs.
A boy grows.
City street,
country farm,
a family,
a story,
a book.

by Ed Pacht

— KIRKUS Review
"Seim’s debut middle-grade tale of an orphan’s journey in the early 1900s.
In this charming historical novel, Charley, 12 years old, is a street-smart city boy, accustomed to stealing food when necessary and staying out of trouble whenever possible. Roaming the streets of Boston after his mother dies, Charley learns that his father has left him and his siblings to go find work. His older brother George insists that Charley accompany his younger siblings to the New England Home for Little Wanderers, a place that will take care of them until they are placed with a family while George, who’s 14, joins his friends near his job at the wharf. Although Charley and his siblings hope to find a family for the three of them, his younger sister and brother are adopted into two separate families, leaving Charley alone in the orphanage. Before long, the boy’s beautiful voice brings him to the next chapter in his life; while leading a children’s choir on a trip to Maine, Charley sings his way into the hearts of the Worthingtons. He must learn to adjust to life on a farm, where his street savvy is no longer an asset, and new challenges confront him at every turn. His foster parents, though strict, are kind to Charley and endeavor to make him comfortable in his new home. In time, however, a family tragedy compels Charley to run back to Boston and see if he can survive on his own. But a sudden turn of events halts his plans and gives him a chance to prove himself a hero. This gently told story of abandonment and survival is a captivating read, drawing on historical facts to give texture to the tale. Charley’s rambunctious spirit and tenacity pave the way for endless adventures and lessons learned. Young readers, even struggling ones, will find this novel easy to read and an enjoyable way to learn about a different time, and Charley’s emotional roller coaster as he is passed from place to place is affecting.

A well-drawn coming-of-age tale about the loves and losses of a young boy. "

— “Although Charley’s world of city orphanages and dairy farming recalls a bygone era, the message at the heart of Donna Seim’s poignant novel is timeless. Through the eyes of an orphaned child, Seim explores the struggles and triumphs faced by countless ‘little wanderers’ as they attempt to make sense of their pasts and build new lives, often in the care of families whose circumstances are radically different from those of their previous upbringings. Writing with empathy for the practical challenges and ambivalent feelings experienced by everyone involved in foster placements, Seim nevertheless conveys an unwavering faith in the belief that no matter how unconventional their path, every child deserves a loving family.”
Joan Wallace-Benjamin, President & CEO, The Home for Little Wanderers

— Amazon.com 5 star review— "Just from the synopsis, the story reminded me of something out of Dickens and I was intrigued. After starting Charley, I read it straight through. It is a wonderful story and the characters are real. Seim's research into turn of the Twentieth Century life is evident in the fantastic attention to detail. The most amazing aspect of the story is not how Seim manages to get you to fall in love with the characters or pulls you into the world she has written, but she manages to keep it grounded to reality by educating us on life in the early 1900's, especially the life of orphans and farmers. While the story is written for young readers 8+, I recommend anyone who loves a good story to pick this up and share it with your children or in my case, grandchildren."

— Amazon.com 5 star review— "Charley's story is believable because it is based on real people, in a setting so very real to me. I was mesmerized by Seim's ability to recapture those memories that lay nearly forgotten in my own past. The book is so well written, and so carefully and concisely illustrated by Susan Spellman, that people who hadn't grown up on those city streets can still envision them through Charley's eyes. I give five stars for this wonderful book, and am happy to learn that some middle schools are beginning to add it to their recommended reading lists for ages 8 to 12. I believe many older readers will enjoy it as well."

Thank you, Donna Seim, for this treasure of a book!

— Amazon.com 5 star review— "I have just finished reading "Charley". I was very impressed indeed. It is well written, flows smoothly and is sufficiently fast paced to keep everybody, and particularly young readers, enthralled.
Any book that can bring tears to your eyes is truly a great book.
The author has captured the nature of the times.
Congratulations on a super accomplishment."

— Amazon.com 5 star review— "Charley is a compelling narrative with a diversity that is marvelous. The author brings empathy for this young orphan boy's life and a depth of historical detail that is fascinating. It is also a tale of true-to-life adventures."

I taught in middle-school for many years and this is a book that I expect my grandchildren will request to be read to them more than once! It is also likely to be a book that will be secretly read by flashlight after mom and dad have said, "Turn out the light."

— Amazon.com 5 star review— "I saw this book in a local toy store - having a son who is also 12, and a reluctant reader, I am always on the lookout for something that he might connect with and enjoy reading - THIS IS THE BOOK!

I read it right away, and no sooner did I put it down he picked it up, AND I started recommending it to friends and family."

Review by: Mom's Lifesavers, read the full review here

— "This is such a cute and heart warming story. Charley doesn't want to leave his older brother or younger brother and sister, but when his dad leaves to find work, his older brother tells Charley that they need to go to the orphanage. After the choir director finds out Charley can sing very well, he joins the choir who travels all over the east, in hopes of finding homes for the children.

Review by:  www.bookscompleteme.com

This story also breaks my heart, with knowing even now, children are hoping to find a family to call their own. I had a hard time reading it, only because it brought tears to my eyes, and it's really hard to read while you're crying. But I love this story! Donna Seim paints a picture and you imagine you're there in Boston, or in Maine. You can hear the language of the time too."

— "Basing her supremely delightful story upon real events and places, Donna Seim captures the world of orphans and foster children of early twentieth-century America. It is hard to not fall in love with Charley... a must read for all children trying to envision the past and understand a world that no longer exists but which gave rise to the present. An excellent history primer."
Lawrence J. Yerdon, President and CEO, Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, New Hampshire