Earth to Charlie by Justin Olson - ADVISABLE

Earth to Charlie by Justin Olson, 279 pages. Simon and Shuster, 2019. $19

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Charlie's mother was abducted by aliens years ago. When she left she promised Charlie that the aliens would come back for him. Ever since, Charlie has kept his eyes on the night sky, looking for alien ships, knowing that they would come for him. He can't wait to leave. His dad drinks too much and just ignores him. Charlie is bullied at school and he has only one friend, a very overweight neighbor and his dog. He is lonely and does not want to be here any more. What is taking the aliens so long to come and get him? Charlie just wants to leave Earth. A new boy, Seth,  moves in and becomes Charlie's friend. Little by little Charlie learns what friendship means. He is starting to look around him and noticing life where he lives. When something happens that makes Charlie think the aliens are finally are coming for him, does he still want to leave with them? Or does he want to stay right there in Montana, on Earth?

It was interesting to see the world through Charlie's eyes for awhile. His life in Montana was so lonely and sad. One of the things I really liked about this book was how it made me really think about what I say and do and how that might make someone else feel.            

Ellen-Anita, Librarian