Armstrong & Charlie
Wonderland hasn't been the same since they started bussing in kids from another part of town. And after that Ho-Ho incident, middle school is a complete disaster for Armstrong and Charlie ... until they discover the one thing worth fighting for — a friend.
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What the Book Is About
Jewish Content & Values
Content Advisory
What the Book Is About
Charlie Ross doesn’t want to start 6th grade, because if he starts it, he might finish it — which his older brother never got to do. Meanwhile, Armstrong Le Rois isn’t interested in being bussed to a new school, especially not one full of white kids.
Over the course of the year, both boys struggle to find their places and connect with each other. They deal with their own challenges (Charlie is a rules follower and Armstrong is a rebel), the judgment of kids in their community, and the struggles of 6th grade: bullies, crushes, and unfair teachers.
The boys finally come together during a school camping trip, but the challenges continue when Charlie’s Dad is mugged and Armstrong’s neighborhood mentor dies of old age. By the end of the year, the boys have discovered that they can find friendship despite everything.
Set against the backdrop of 1970’s school integration, this PJ Our Way edition of Armstrong & Charlie explores a number of issues that are still highly relevant and resonant: racism, loss, and the power of family and friendship to help us endure our hardest moments.
Jewish Content & Values
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Charlie’s family is Jewish, his great-grandfather was a rabbi “in the old country,” and his family celebrates the Jewish holidays.
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The family celebrates Shabbat in Charlie’s home and Armstrong joins them.
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Charlie lights Hanukkah candles in honor of his dead brother; it’s a powerful moment that brings Charlie and his mother together in the midst of his mother’s grief.
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Several characters in the book stand up against racism; in doing so they are living out the value of b’tzelem elohim, or seeing the godliness in everyone.
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Welcoming strangers – a Jewish value mentioned 36 times in the Torah – is a strong, positive theme throughout the book.
Content Advisory
This is a special PJ Our Way edition of an important upper middle grade novel that explores the reality of school integration in 1975 California through the lens of two boys who are both dealing with very different life challenges.
In addition to portrayals of racism and antisemitism, this book includes stories of death, loss, grief, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. There are depictions of bullying and mistreatment of lizards, and Charlie’s father is mugged at gunpoint. Finally, there are references to crushes, dating, and kissing.
The challenging content in this book is well balanced by the positive messages, supportive characters, and engaging story; even so, we do suggest sticking to our age recommendation for this mature book.
What the Book Is About
What the Book Is About
Charlie Ross doesn’t want to start 6th grade, because if he starts it, he might finish it — which his older brother never got to do. Meanwhile, Armstrong Le Rois isn’t interested in being bussed to a new school, especially not one full of white kids.
Over the course of the year, both boys struggle to find their places and connect with each other. They deal with their own challenges (Charlie is a rules follower and Armstrong is a rebel), the judgment of kids in their community, and the struggles of 6th grade: bullies, crushes, and unfair teachers.
The boys finally come together during a school camping trip, but the challenges continue when Charlie’s Dad is mugged and Armstrong’s neighborhood mentor dies of old age. By the end of the year, the boys have discovered that they can find friendship despite everything.
Set against the backdrop of 1970’s school integration, this PJ Our Way edition of Armstrong & Charlie explores a number of issues that are still highly relevant and resonant: racism, loss, and the power of family and friendship to help us endure our hardest moments.
Jewish Content & Values
Jewish Content & Values
-
Charlie’s family is Jewish, his great-grandfather was a rabbi “in the old country,” and his family celebrates the Jewish holidays.
-
The family celebrates Shabbat in Charlie’s home and Armstrong joins them.
-
Charlie lights Hanukkah candles in honor of his dead brother; it’s a powerful moment that brings Charlie and his mother together in the midst of his mother’s grief.
-
Several characters in the book stand up against racism; in doing so they are living out the value of b’tzelem elohim, or seeing the godliness in everyone.
-
Welcoming strangers – a Jewish value mentioned 36 times in the Torah – is a strong, positive theme throughout the book.
Content Advisory
Content Advisory
This is a special PJ Our Way edition of an important upper middle grade novel that explores the reality of school integration in 1975 California through the lens of two boys who are both dealing with very different life challenges.
In addition to portrayals of racism and antisemitism, this book includes stories of death, loss, grief, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. There are depictions of bullying and mistreatment of lizards, and Charlie’s father is mugged at gunpoint. Finally, there are references to crushes, dating, and kissing.
The challenging content in this book is well balanced by the positive messages, supportive characters, and engaging story; even so, we do suggest sticking to our age recommendation for this mature book.
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