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The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price
A heartfelt, beautifully written novel of love, loss, and math—perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Sharon M. Draper.
Ever since twelve-year-old Charlie Price's mom died, he feels like his world has been split into two parts. Before included stargazing and Mathletes and Saturday scavenger hunts with his family. After means a dad who's completely checked out, comically bad dinners, and grief group that's anything but helpful. It seems like losing Mom meant losing everything else he loved, too.
Just when Charlie thinks things can't get any worse, his sister, Imogen, starts acting erratically—missing school and making up lies about their mother. But everything changes when one day he follows her down a secret passageway in the middle of her bedroom and sees for himself.
Imogen has found a parallel world where Mom is alive!
There's hot cocoa and Scrabble and scavenger hunts again and everything is perfect . . . at first. But something doesn't feel right. Whenever Charlie returns to the real world, things are different, and not in a good way. And Imogen wants to spend more and more time on the other side. It's almost as if she wants to leave the real world for good. If Charlie doesn't uncover the truth, he could lose himself, the true memory of their mother, and Imogen . . . forever.
Ever since twelve-year-old Charlie Price's mom died, he feels like his world has been split into two parts. Before included stargazing and Mathletes and Saturday scavenger hunts with his family. After means a dad who's completely checked out, comically bad dinners, and grief group that's anything but helpful. It seems like losing Mom meant losing everything else he loved, too.
Just when Charlie thinks things can't get any worse, his sister, Imogen, starts acting erratically—missing school and making up lies about their mother. But everything changes when one day he follows her down a secret passageway in the middle of her bedroom and sees for himself.
Imogen has found a parallel world where Mom is alive!
There's hot cocoa and Scrabble and scavenger hunts again and everything is perfect . . . at first. But something doesn't feel right. Whenever Charlie returns to the real world, things are different, and not in a good way. And Imogen wants to spend more and more time on the other side. It's almost as if she wants to leave the real world for good. If Charlie doesn't uncover the truth, he could lose himself, the true memory of their mother, and Imogen . . . forever.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2016
15 people are currently reading
2073 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Maschari
3 books102 followersJennifer Maschari is a classroom teacher who writes books for young readers. She is the author of THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE and THINGS THAT SURPRISE YOU. She is hard at work on her next stand-alone middle grade from Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins. Jennifer lives in Ohio with her husband and three English bulldogs: Hank, Stevie and Benny.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
November 30, 2015
Not too long ago, there was a post roaming around social media about the ultimately destructive qualities of "sad MG books." I've always settled myself deeply into the everyone's-entitled-to-their-own-opinion camp when it comes to fiction. And I'd hazard to say we probably all have. But this irked me and a few of my blogging friends. Totally irked. We were positively plagued with the overwhelming irksomeness at the notion that middle-grade fiction cannot and should not exist if it isn't swelling with rainbows and giggles.
Irking, ain't it?
I wish I'd been able to read Maschari's book, The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price, back then. Because her book is the perfect example of why we need "sad books." Now, before I go on, I'm not going to call Maschari's book a "sad book" again. Yes, it has moments of gut-wrenching despair and I shed more than a few tears reading it and the story's backdrop does ultimately stem from a place of grief . . . but it is not by any means a "sad book." The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price is nothing if it's not hopeful. And how are we supposed to truly appreciate hope if we don't have some sadness to compare it to? In Maschari's book, Charlie's world suffers a massive kick to the throat after his mom dies. Everyone in his family is acting different. His classmates are acting different. The entire universe seems to have been nudged slightly off center, in fact. Then Charlie's little sister reveals a secret: she's found a pathway into a parallel world in which mom is still alive. Charlie is ecstatic and, for the first time in what feels like forever, finally feels normal again. But not for long. Charlie discovers another secret about this place . . . one which could destroy everything Charlie holds dear.
Now I know what you're thinking. "A bit heavy, isn't it?"
And here's my response: "Yes. Wonderfully so."
Middle-grade readers need heavy like this. Middle-grade readers have gone through heavy like this! Sure, middle-grade readers need books that make them smile and laugh and dance. But they also need books that'll wrap them up in a tight hug to say, "I know. I've been there, too." Because that's what gives us hope. Knowing that we're not alone. Knowing that there are others out there who have gone through that same thing and come out alive. The themes of grief and loss run deep in The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price. And I'm so glad they do. A book like this gets written from a place of experience. And it's a book like this that gets read and adored from a place of experience. It's a book like this that kids and adults are going to remember for a long time. It's a book like this that's going to give a lot of people hope.
Irking, ain't it?
I wish I'd been able to read Maschari's book, The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price, back then. Because her book is the perfect example of why we need "sad books." Now, before I go on, I'm not going to call Maschari's book a "sad book" again. Yes, it has moments of gut-wrenching despair and I shed more than a few tears reading it and the story's backdrop does ultimately stem from a place of grief . . . but it is not by any means a "sad book." The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price is nothing if it's not hopeful. And how are we supposed to truly appreciate hope if we don't have some sadness to compare it to? In Maschari's book, Charlie's world suffers a massive kick to the throat after his mom dies. Everyone in his family is acting different. His classmates are acting different. The entire universe seems to have been nudged slightly off center, in fact. Then Charlie's little sister reveals a secret: she's found a pathway into a parallel world in which mom is still alive. Charlie is ecstatic and, for the first time in what feels like forever, finally feels normal again. But not for long. Charlie discovers another secret about this place . . . one which could destroy everything Charlie holds dear.
Now I know what you're thinking. "A bit heavy, isn't it?"
And here's my response: "Yes. Wonderfully so."
Middle-grade readers need heavy like this. Middle-grade readers have gone through heavy like this! Sure, middle-grade readers need books that make them smile and laugh and dance. But they also need books that'll wrap them up in a tight hug to say, "I know. I've been there, too." Because that's what gives us hope. Knowing that we're not alone. Knowing that there are others out there who have gone through that same thing and come out alive. The themes of grief and loss run deep in The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price. And I'm so glad they do. A book like this gets written from a place of experience. And it's a book like this that gets read and adored from a place of experience. It's a book like this that kids and adults are going to remember for a long time. It's a book like this that's going to give a lot of people hope.
November 13, 2015
Yes, this book is a moving exploration of the aching gaps left behind by the death of a loved one, and a hope-filled embrace of life, in all its imperfect glory. It's metaphorical, and even allegorical and can be read at several levels at once--a story for adults as well as younger people (I would say going as young as age 8).
But that sounds kind of too magnificent and deep and meaningful to be fun.
People, this book is FUN. It's riveting.
It starts out all normal and everything, in a regular school, with a kid Charlie and his female friend Elliott in a grief group, and you think, hey, maybe this is TFIOS for the younger set, which would be fine by me, even great, because I loved TFIOS...
..and then things start getting odd. Then they get creepy, the kind of creepy that leaves you feeling prickles on your neck. What really happened to Charlie's friend, Frank, who disappeared? Why is his sister Imogene acting so strange...is it just her terrible grief, or is it...something else, too? Something to do with her saying she's seeing mom again? Something to do with...HOLY @#$%, WHAT IS THAT THING UNDER THE---
whoa!
What a surprising and redemptive book! You. will. be. surprised. in the best of good ways. I am so glad I got an advance copy in return for an honest review, because now I know what happened, and I'm sorry you don't...yet!
But that sounds kind of too magnificent and deep and meaningful to be fun.
People, this book is FUN. It's riveting.
It starts out all normal and everything, in a regular school, with a kid Charlie and his female friend Elliott in a grief group, and you think, hey, maybe this is TFIOS for the younger set, which would be fine by me, even great, because I loved TFIOS...
..and then things start getting odd. Then they get creepy, the kind of creepy that leaves you feeling prickles on your neck. What really happened to Charlie's friend, Frank, who disappeared? Why is his sister Imogene acting so strange...is it just her terrible grief, or is it...something else, too? Something to do with her saying she's seeing mom again? Something to do with...HOLY @#$%, WHAT IS THAT THING UNDER THE---
whoa!
What a surprising and redemptive book! You. will. be. surprised. in the best of good ways. I am so glad I got an advance copy in return for an honest review, because now I know what happened, and I'm sorry you don't...yet!
November 13, 2015
What an extraordinary book!
The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price is unlike anything I've ever read. It's equal parts gripping plot, fleshed out fantasy world (and real world, for that matter), and impeccable character study. Charlie is such a genuine and authentic main character with flaws and ambitions and emotions. He is an entirely believable 12 year old who tries to act grown up when situations warrant, but is still in most ways a kid. I adored the unfolding of his friendship with Elliott and the care he shows for his sister, Imogen. Also, his world(s) was entirely intriguing and engaging. I want to be a Mathlete! I want to go to Edna's bakery! I want to find out what on earth is happening [INSERT SPOILER HERE :)]!
Loss is tough and horrible and sad, but it's also part of life. The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price handles the topic of grief in a way that's both accessible and manageable for kids (and grown ups). There are sad moments, but this is not a sad book. It's an uplifting story that walks you through grief to the other side, where memories keep someone alive inside of us and serve as a springboard to move forward.
Every so often, I'll read or experience something that I want to wrap up in velvet cloth and carry close to my heart like a treasure. That's what The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price is to me. I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to read an ARC of this magical book.
The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price is unlike anything I've ever read. It's equal parts gripping plot, fleshed out fantasy world (and real world, for that matter), and impeccable character study. Charlie is such a genuine and authentic main character with flaws and ambitions and emotions. He is an entirely believable 12 year old who tries to act grown up when situations warrant, but is still in most ways a kid. I adored the unfolding of his friendship with Elliott and the care he shows for his sister, Imogen. Also, his world(s) was entirely intriguing and engaging. I want to be a Mathlete! I want to go to Edna's bakery! I want to find out what on earth is happening [INSERT SPOILER HERE :)]!
Loss is tough and horrible and sad, but it's also part of life. The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price handles the topic of grief in a way that's both accessible and manageable for kids (and grown ups). There are sad moments, but this is not a sad book. It's an uplifting story that walks you through grief to the other side, where memories keep someone alive inside of us and serve as a springboard to move forward.
Every so often, I'll read or experience something that I want to wrap up in velvet cloth and carry close to my heart like a treasure. That's what The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price is to me. I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to read an ARC of this magical book.
May 22, 2024
I’ve been reading a lot of middle grade books lately. This is lower MG, meaning it is for children between 9 and 11 years old.
I struggled a bit to get into it, mostly because the story and setting reminded me too much of Gaiman’s Coraline. And because of the parallelism between those two stories, I found little surprising within this one. I also found it lacked on the explaining side of things. Magic could have been invoked, or a curse if necessary, but the presence of “The Others” never gets a reason to be and that annoyed me.
I see how children who are grieving or who lost someone close or are having a hard time with change may find this book and Charlie, its main character appealing, yet I didn’t get to fully engage with the emotional core of the story. So, I recognize it has its charms, but it wasn't charming enough for me.
I struggled a bit to get into it, mostly because the story and setting reminded me too much of Gaiman’s Coraline. And because of the parallelism between those two stories, I found little surprising within this one. I also found it lacked on the explaining side of things. Magic could have been invoked, or a curse if necessary, but the presence of “The Others” never gets a reason to be and that annoyed me.
I see how children who are grieving or who lost someone close or are having a hard time with change may find this book and Charlie, its main character appealing, yet I didn’t get to fully engage with the emotional core of the story. So, I recognize it has its charms, but it wasn't charming enough for me.
September 6, 2015
I received an advance copy of THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story about a brother, a sister, and two friends who are each struggling with the loss of a close family member. Through a remarkable, magical, and emotional journey, one of them - Charlie - finds the strength to empower all of them to find hope and move forward. It's a masterfully-written story that weaves the themes of love/loss and fear/hope together with math and games, stories and constellations, and a very special dog.
Warning: THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE is hard to put down! From the first page, there are hints that things are not as they seem. Jennifer Maschari continues to plant mysteries and clues as the story builds tension to the point where it's impossible to turn the pages fast enough...
Until the climax.
Though packed with action, the high point of the story is so full of emotion it demands to be read slowly and carefully. And then hugged tightly!
This is a book I won't soon forget. I can't wait for it to be out in the world!
This is a story about a brother, a sister, and two friends who are each struggling with the loss of a close family member. Through a remarkable, magical, and emotional journey, one of them - Charlie - finds the strength to empower all of them to find hope and move forward. It's a masterfully-written story that weaves the themes of love/loss and fear/hope together with math and games, stories and constellations, and a very special dog.
Warning: THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE is hard to put down! From the first page, there are hints that things are not as they seem. Jennifer Maschari continues to plant mysteries and clues as the story builds tension to the point where it's impossible to turn the pages fast enough...
Until the climax.
Though packed with action, the high point of the story is so full of emotion it demands to be read slowly and carefully. And then hugged tightly!
This is a book I won't soon forget. I can't wait for it to be out in the world!
October 11, 2015
I had the chance to read an advance copy of THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE in exchange for an honest review.
Jen Maschari's words are absolutely beautiful and have a way of drawing you in. The main characters are each dealing with the loss of a loved one, and as readers, we're able to see their struggles, emotions, and milestones along the way.
There were so many times in this book where I had to pause, read a line again, and take it all in because the lines were so powerful.
What I found perhaps most amazing about this book were the relationships among the characters. The way they took care of each other and shared the journey together was really, really special.
Very well done and a story that sticks with you.
Jen Maschari's words are absolutely beautiful and have a way of drawing you in. The main characters are each dealing with the loss of a loved one, and as readers, we're able to see their struggles, emotions, and milestones along the way.
There were so many times in this book where I had to pause, read a line again, and take it all in because the lines were so powerful.
What I found perhaps most amazing about this book were the relationships among the characters. The way they took care of each other and shared the journey together was really, really special.
Very well done and a story that sticks with you.
November 27, 2015
Brilliant, unsettling and heart-breakingly original, this book creates a world where the land of grief that children go to when they lose someone is a real place -- a place that can steal them away from the world, and from their future, and (most importantly) their memories, good and bad, old and yet-to-come.
After losing his best friend to this grief world Charlie almost loses his sister, too, who follows an echo of their dead mother and nearly disappears. But with the help of a very brave girl named Elliot and a dog who is the living embodiment of empathy (which all dog lovers will see instantly is true and right) Charlie goes on a remarkable, creepy, and sad journey into not only this alternate world but his own understanding of his grief.
This is one of those rare childrens' books that works on so many levels that book lovers will return to it again and again, clearly written by someone who know what it's like to nearly lose yourself in grief and then find the real world again. A fantastic read.
After losing his best friend to this grief world Charlie almost loses his sister, too, who follows an echo of their dead mother and nearly disappears. But with the help of a very brave girl named Elliot and a dog who is the living embodiment of empathy (which all dog lovers will see instantly is true and right) Charlie goes on a remarkable, creepy, and sad journey into not only this alternate world but his own understanding of his grief.
This is one of those rare childrens' books that works on so many levels that book lovers will return to it again and again, clearly written by someone who know what it's like to nearly lose yourself in grief and then find the real world again. A fantastic read.
September 16, 2015
I had a chance to read an ARC of THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE, and I absolutely loved it!
It's wonderfully tense and creepy with building action that dragged me in and didn't let up, but the whole thing is built around a truly beautiful, heart-breaking, and important story about a family's grief, about memories and loss, about children and parents and finding ways to live after the death of a loved one.
Highly recommended. It's a truly lovely book, and I think a lot of kids and families who need it will find something reassuring and hopeful in these pages.
It's wonderfully tense and creepy with building action that dragged me in and didn't let up, but the whole thing is built around a truly beautiful, heart-breaking, and important story about a family's grief, about memories and loss, about children and parents and finding ways to live after the death of a loved one.
Highly recommended. It's a truly lovely book, and I think a lot of kids and families who need it will find something reassuring and hopeful in these pages.
December 3, 2015
I don't review books, but I do blog about them.
Read my post about THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE here:
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/1...
Read my post about THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE here:
http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2015/1...
January 13, 2016
I WOULD LIKE MY HEART BACK, JENNIFER MASCHARI!
This book *deepest sigh*. This book is beyond beautiful. Debut author Maschari weaves sorrow and hope and magic in such an unexpected way as she explores the complex layers of grief. I felt hungry the entire time I was reading it. Hungry for Charlie’s journey, for more words, more pages, more everything. Maschari builds a world of characters that are strong and sweet and so deeply layered. It is zero surprise that this phenomenal debut earned a coveted starred review from School Library Journal. I recommend this book to every reader, any age. It is a loving exploration of our deepest vulnerabilities, and our greatest hopes. In the end, it is a book that reminds readers that we are never alone. And that love is literally everywhere.
This book *deepest sigh*. This book is beyond beautiful. Debut author Maschari weaves sorrow and hope and magic in such an unexpected way as she explores the complex layers of grief. I felt hungry the entire time I was reading it. Hungry for Charlie’s journey, for more words, more pages, more everything. Maschari builds a world of characters that are strong and sweet and so deeply layered. It is zero surprise that this phenomenal debut earned a coveted starred review from School Library Journal. I recommend this book to every reader, any age. It is a loving exploration of our deepest vulnerabilities, and our greatest hopes. In the end, it is a book that reminds readers that we are never alone. And that love is literally everywhere.
September 6, 2015
The BEST.
2016 is still months away, and I'm fairly confident that this is going to remain one of my favorite books of 2016.
2016 is still months away, and I'm fairly confident that this is going to remain one of my favorite books of 2016.
September 5, 2015
I received an ARC of this book and feel extremely privileged to have been able to read it before the rest of the world.
In the tradition of children dealing when adults can't; in the tradition of Bridge to Terabithia and middle grade books that hit you in the heart, Jennifer Mascari has created The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price. The best magic books are written in the vernacular of the ordinary. Charlie Price is a book about middle school, friends, and math class. It is a book about memory and loss, but it's also about a portal to another world à la The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe (or perhaps Freaky Friday?) The mix of contemporary problems and magical solutions, or things that look like solutions, is created with humor and poetry. As in all fairy tales and myths, in addition to the underworld there also is a wise old woman who gives guidance, and a totally charming animal guide named Ruby. I highly recommend this as a book that can be read at any age. Look for it in 2016!
In the tradition of children dealing when adults can't; in the tradition of Bridge to Terabithia and middle grade books that hit you in the heart, Jennifer Mascari has created The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price. The best magic books are written in the vernacular of the ordinary. Charlie Price is a book about middle school, friends, and math class. It is a book about memory and loss, but it's also about a portal to another world à la The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe (or perhaps Freaky Friday?) The mix of contemporary problems and magical solutions, or things that look like solutions, is created with humor and poetry. As in all fairy tales and myths, in addition to the underworld there also is a wise old woman who gives guidance, and a totally charming animal guide named Ruby. I highly recommend this as a book that can be read at any age. Look for it in 2016!
August 18, 2015
I was lucky to receive an advanced copy of THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE by Jennifer Maschari to read.
THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE is a story of loss and hope--beautiful storytelling and BRAVE kids. Twelve-year-old Charlie has lost his mom to cancer and he finds himself watching as his younger sister slowly begins to slip away, too. His sister takes him to another world where Mom is still alive, but Charlie knows that something is wrong in this world. He knows that his little sister is not safe in this world. To bring her back, to bring himself back, Charlie must confront his grief head-on, bravely, and ask for help. Help comes in the form of friends and Ruby, the dog.
There are many moments of sadness in this story, but laced throughout is a thread of hope that in the midst of terrible loss, love remains, love grows, and love has the power to heal and bring a family back together.
THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE is a story of loss and hope--beautiful storytelling and BRAVE kids. Twelve-year-old Charlie has lost his mom to cancer and he finds himself watching as his younger sister slowly begins to slip away, too. His sister takes him to another world where Mom is still alive, but Charlie knows that something is wrong in this world. He knows that his little sister is not safe in this world. To bring her back, to bring himself back, Charlie must confront his grief head-on, bravely, and ask for help. Help comes in the form of friends and Ruby, the dog.
There are many moments of sadness in this story, but laced throughout is a thread of hope that in the midst of terrible loss, love remains, love grows, and love has the power to heal and bring a family back together.
August 28, 2015
I was so lucky to get to read an advanced copy of this book, and I am eagerly waiting for it to be out in the world so it can start making the enormous difference I know it will. The characters in this debut are so genuine and relatable, and their journey is so moving. I think everyone (seriously, everyone) should read CHARLIE, but it will be especially meaningful to any kids (and adults) grieving the loss of a loved one.
August 22, 2015
Twelve-year-old Charlie Price hasn’t yet found a way to equalize the equation after his mother’s death to cancer. He’s busy with Mathletes and he has friends at school and belongs to a grief support group, but there’s an aching hole in his life at home. Mom. When his sister Imogen starts acting a bit peculiar — weirdly reminding him a bit of how his friend Frank behaved, after his grandmother’s death and right before his own mysterious disappearance — Charlie doesn’t know what to think. But everything changes when Imogen tells him something that just can’t, can’t, be true: she’s found a trap-door in her bedroom that leads to another world. This world is nearly identical to the world she and Charlie and everyone else inhabit. The one difference: Mom is still alive.
What happens to Charlie on the other side calls to mind classic books like Neil Gaiman’s Coraline and Patrick Ness’s A Monster Calls. There’s something off about this parallel world, but at the same time, Charlie is drawn to it because, well, there’s Mom. His mom. Eager to do all the things he’s always remembered. With him and Imogen. How can he say no to that, even if his gut tells him it’s too good to be true?
Maschari’s debut novel will have readers eagerly racing through the pages, their hearts tugged by Charlie’s love for his mother, and their minds full of worry for Charlie and Imogen. Maschari’s story is poignant without ever becoming saccharine. A powerful exploration of grief, memory, and family. I’m so excited for young readers to connect with this story in 2016!
What happens to Charlie on the other side calls to mind classic books like Neil Gaiman’s Coraline and Patrick Ness’s A Monster Calls. There’s something off about this parallel world, but at the same time, Charlie is drawn to it because, well, there’s Mom. His mom. Eager to do all the things he’s always remembered. With him and Imogen. How can he say no to that, even if his gut tells him it’s too good to be true?
Maschari’s debut novel will have readers eagerly racing through the pages, their hearts tugged by Charlie’s love for his mother, and their minds full of worry for Charlie and Imogen. Maschari’s story is poignant without ever becoming saccharine. A powerful exploration of grief, memory, and family. I’m so excited for young readers to connect with this story in 2016!
January 15, 2016
If you discovered a world where those you've lost wait for you - happy and whole and ready to play board games and go on scavenger hunts and make your favorite lunch - would you go, leaving the real world and everyone in it behind? Twelve-year old Charlie Price is reeling from the recent death of his mother, which has left him angry, brokenhearted, and lost. When his younger sister discovers a portal beneath her bed, the siblings find themselves drawn to the magical place.. a place where their mother still lives. It's happily ever after... or is it? Tackling universal themes of familial love, friendship, and grief, Jennifer Maschari's middle grade debut will stay with readers long after the final page.
December 11, 2015
Oh man. I LOVE a story about grief. And grief abounds in this book.
I was lucky enough to read an arc of this book in return for a fair review.
Charlie Price's life is slowly starting to get to a new normal, after the death of his mother. He's back in his beloved Mathletes, he and his little sister Imogene are settling into a new routine where their father comes home later and later in the evening, and Charlie is managing to tolerate the grief group he has to go to at school.
But then Imogene tells him that she's been spending time with their mom. At first he doesn't believe her, but when Imogene goes missing, he finds a mysterious hatch under her bed, and through it his mother, complete with fantastic cooking and love.
But spending time with their mom leaves them feeling drained and sick. And something strange is happening to the photos in their house. And their memories. And soon Charlie has to choose between his mom, his memories, or a new life.
So, this book definitely tackles heavy subjects, like death of course, both of a parent, or siblings or other relatives. It also tackles grief and how people process it differently. And it isn't afraid to confront the grief, but also the hope and the acceptance head on.
And outside of the grief, there's an adventure which is full of fun and danger and it a fantastic romp even beside the issues of loss and remembrance and longing. So even though there are tough topics, the book never feels heavy or entrenched in grief, but instead is fun and happy and sad and lovely.
I was lucky enough to read an arc of this book in return for a fair review.
Charlie Price's life is slowly starting to get to a new normal, after the death of his mother. He's back in his beloved Mathletes, he and his little sister Imogene are settling into a new routine where their father comes home later and later in the evening, and Charlie is managing to tolerate the grief group he has to go to at school.
But then Imogene tells him that she's been spending time with their mom. At first he doesn't believe her, but when Imogene goes missing, he finds a mysterious hatch under her bed, and through it his mother, complete with fantastic cooking and love.
But spending time with their mom leaves them feeling drained and sick. And something strange is happening to the photos in their house. And their memories. And soon Charlie has to choose between his mom, his memories, or a new life.
So, this book definitely tackles heavy subjects, like death of course, both of a parent, or siblings or other relatives. It also tackles grief and how people process it differently. And it isn't afraid to confront the grief, but also the hope and the acceptance head on.
And outside of the grief, there's an adventure which is full of fun and danger and it a fantastic romp even beside the issues of loss and remembrance and longing. So even though there are tough topics, the book never feels heavy or entrenched in grief, but instead is fun and happy and sad and lovely.
September 14, 2015
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) in exchange for an honest review.
After the death of his mom (who died of cancer), Charlie is struggling to reconstruct his life.
I will get straight to the point: I loved this book. All kids who have lost someone they love should read it. It's so emotionally real. So honest. And it goes straight for the heart. Straight for the thing that I would want most if I lost my mom.
I don't want to give anything away, but I was cheering Charlie on the whole way. My heart broke with his at the struggles he faced and the hard choices he had to make. I cried for him and wished I could reach through the pages and give him a hug. In short, I highly recommend this book!
After the death of his mom (who died of cancer), Charlie is struggling to reconstruct his life.
I will get straight to the point: I loved this book. All kids who have lost someone they love should read it. It's so emotionally real. So honest. And it goes straight for the heart. Straight for the thing that I would want most if I lost my mom.
I don't want to give anything away, but I was cheering Charlie on the whole way. My heart broke with his at the struggles he faced and the hard choices he had to make. I cried for him and wished I could reach through the pages and give him a hug. In short, I highly recommend this book!
March 21, 2016
This book is magical, and not just in its content. I love how Jen Maschari has taken a relatable concept like grief and elevated it to the fantastic with her magical world and beautiful words. Charlie, Imogen, and their friends are great characters with big hearts. Kids will want to dive into the world Maschari creates and be completely gripped, as I was, as Charlie races to save Imogen from losing herself to her grief. The emotional journey is earned and compelling. I tell all of my middle grade students and all of my friends to read this book!
October 9, 2015
This is such a beautiful (and beautifully written book). Middle grade books are littered with dead parents (which makes sense, since authors have to get rid of those pesky problem-solvers in order to force the kids to be the heroes of own story) but rarely is it addressed as the central plot and in such an inventive way. The fantasy elements will keep kids engaged, but this one also packs a big emotional punch!
November 23, 2015
Charlie Price's journey is not to be missed! As the title suggests, it is truly a remarkable one and this sweet book will make waves when it is released. I love the characters, setting and the journey Charlie goes on after losing his best friend and mom. Readers will find themselves rooting for Charlie and his sister, and the rest of sweet characters. Fantastic book!!!
May 22, 2017
Fresh & beautiful story of grief and acceptance. This book will be important for many hurting kids!
January 18, 2016
THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE is a poignant story of loss and courage, written beautifully.
12 yo Charlie Price isn’t alone in grief. He sees his sister, Imogen, also aching for their mother, lost to cancer. And earlier, he had seen his best friend, Frank, slowly fading away when Frank's grandmother died. When Imogen discovers a parallel world in which their mother is alive, Charlie wants to embrace his mother and the new world, but he can’t help his uneasiness.
This is a story then of Charlie bravely piecing together the clues of what truly is happening and ultimately confronting his grief to also help his sister and his friend.
I see young readers hugging this book tight and rereading it with care. I can’t wait to share it.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
12 yo Charlie Price isn’t alone in grief. He sees his sister, Imogen, also aching for their mother, lost to cancer. And earlier, he had seen his best friend, Frank, slowly fading away when Frank's grandmother died. When Imogen discovers a parallel world in which their mother is alive, Charlie wants to embrace his mother and the new world, but he can’t help his uneasiness.
This is a story then of Charlie bravely piecing together the clues of what truly is happening and ultimately confronting his grief to also help his sister and his friend.
I see young readers hugging this book tight and rereading it with care. I can’t wait to share it.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2015
A powerful story about loss, and the inevitable need to move on and experience life to the fullest, even when a piece of your heart is missing.
Kids who've experienced a loss similar to Charlie's are going to hug this book tightly to their chests, thankful that it speaks to them.
Kids who've experienced a loss similar to Charlie's are going to hug this book tightly to their chests, thankful that it speaks to them.
March 17, 2016
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Mom knew how much Charlie loved math. And he really did. Sure the competitions were fun and exciting and they always saw who could eat the most pizza afterward (normally Rohan). But what he loved most was how logical math was. Two plus two equaled four. A triangle always had three sides. The quadratic formula was always the same. It made sense.
And even though Mom wasn’t here to cheer him on and he couldn’t quite depend on Dad to actually put an apple in his lunch, two plus two still equaled four.
Math was something Charlie could count on.
Twelve-year-old Charlie Price is having a very difficult year. His mother is dead, his best friend, Frank, has disappeared, and even things that once brought him joy, like Mathletes, can’t quite quiet the sadness and anger that seem to bubble just beneath the surface of his skin. Lost and alone, Charlie is consumed by grief until an unexpected discovery beneath his sister Imogen’s bed transports the two into a world far beyond their wildest dreams. A world in which their mother is still alive. Suddenly, the things that Charlie missed most – the comfort of her embrace, the warmth of her smile, the familiar tang of her spaghetti sauce – are within reach again. Charlie treasures these secret, stolen moments with the mother he thought lost to him forever, but can’t help but grow concerned as memories fade, secrets are revealed, and the line between the two realities begins to blur. It will take all of Charlie’s cunning, daring, and heart, along with the help of his friend, Elliot, and his adorable canine companion, Ruby, to rescue Imogen from the clutches of this mysterious other world before it’s too late.
Dear Mom, I can’t believe you died. Love, Charlie.
Dear Mom, I get so sick of everyone asking how I’m doing. How do they think I’m doing? Love, Charlie.
Dear Mom, You died and all I got was this stupid support group with this lady who thinks that she knows how I feel and she doesn’t. Love, Charlie.
In the interest of full disclosure, I will begin this review by sharing that I have the immense pleasure of calling Jennifer Maschari my friend. Over the past two years Jennifer has offered me kindness, support and friendship for which I’ll forever be grateful. Before that, however, there was the promise of Charlie Price. I first stumbled upon The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price on Goodreads in 2014 and I knew in an instant that I had discovered something special. It was over a discussion of her debut novel (and a shared love of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups) over which we first bonded. But even if we have never spoken, even if I were not lucky enough to call Jennifer my friend, I would not hesitate to declare The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price one of the best middle grade books I have had the privilege of reading in this or any other year. In a world populated by hidden doors, secret worlds and miraculous magic, The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price reminds us that it is the things we often take for granted – family, friendship, love, and even life itself – that are the most extraordinary of all. Rich, mature, insightful and absolutely enthralling, you will never again believe that middle grade literature is ‘just for kids’.
“I told you! I told you, Charlie,” Imogen said. Her arm began to swing, taking his with it. “I knew you’d come find me. Do you believe me now?”
And all at once he couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. Everything he knew about anything flew out the window and took his brain and heart and voice with it.
Finally, a word came. “Mom?”
From moments of uncontrollable anger to quiet reticence and introspection, the vast spectrum of Charlie’s emotion in the wake of significant and unimaginable loss is exquisitely well-rendered with an earnest sincerity that cannot fail to move even the most hardened reader. The author reconciles these seemingly disparate elements of Charlie’s personality with ease, exploring both his innocence and intense vulnerability in the wake of his mother’s death, as well as his desperate bravado in a heart-wrenching portrait of a child struggling to hold his family together and make sense of something as senseless as losing a parent at such a young age. This insightful character study is not exclusive to Charlie. The secondary characters add another much-appreciated layer of depth to the story as Maschari examines how grief manifests differently in every individual. Charlie’s father becomes consumed with work. Imogen retreats into a land of imagination and fantasy. Elliot over-schedules herself to remain focused on other things. The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price reminds readers that there is no ‘right’ way to grieve and that the journey toward healing and acceptance is an extremely personal one.
For Charlie it was as if the rotation of the earth had picked up speed and he was losing his grip – on Dad, on Imogen, on Mathletes, on everything he loved. One false move, one little slip, and Charlie felt he’d lose his balance and go flying out into space. And he couldn’t help but think that the one difference, the one change, was seeing Mom again.
Death is one of the few, universal truths which we all must face. Jennifer Maschari explores this topic with grace and sensitivity, allowing young readers to examine complex issues of loss and grief in a safe space. Confronting one’s mortality can be a terrifying and overwhelming undertaking. There is, however, an undeniable comfort and beauty in the author’s unique interpretation that I have rarely had the pleasure of experiencing before. The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price acts as a touching reminder that to grieve is to remember that we have lived well, and loved well, and that those who are gone are never truly lost or forgotten. Charlie and Imogen need not visit the hidden world beneath Imogen’s bed in order to be close to their mother, because she continues to live on in their memories and in their hearts. Jennifer Maschari emphasizes that to honour the dead is not to sacrifice our life for theirs but to live our lives to the fullest extent in order to honour those who may not. While the author’s touching exploration of these themes is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and personal histories, The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price would make a particularly precious and important gift for young readers suffering from a significant loss like Charlie’s, from whom they could draw a great deal of comfort. Maschari’s use of description is lush and evocative, allowing readers to traverse everything from the familiar landscape of a middle school classroom to a magical alternate reality with ease. Even something as benign as a description of a dog – Imogen always said it looked like Ruby had been dusted with powdered sugar. Charlie thought she looked like she had been sprinkled with stars. – becomes a line of delicate poetry in this author’s very capable hands. The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price achieves the perfect balance of the real and the fantastical, blending realistic issues and a contemporary setting with magical, otherworldly elements and in doing so demonstrating a versatility sure to appeal to young readers with a variety of tastes.
“Magic,” she whispered. Charlie agreed. He had once thought that magic died when Mom did. Maybe the good kind. But this bad magic – the kind he was dealing with now. The kind that stole Imogen. It didn’t die.
It woke up.
Gentle, compassionate and imaginative, The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price is a quiet but no less powerful reflection on the importance of honouring the memories of our past and embracing the endless possibility of our future. In her poignant and tremendously intelligent middle grade debut, author Jennifer Maschari has crafted an exquisite novel which audiences will have the ability to grow into, instead of out of. Younger readers will have a great deal of fun enjoying the magical rescue mission on which Charlie eventually embarks, while older readers will appreciate the profundity of the novel’s more subtle, complex meditation on death and mourning. In an age where so few things are exactly as advertised, Jennifer Maschari’s 2016 middle grade debut truly is nothing short of remarkable.
Please Note: All quotations included in this review have been taken from an advanced reader copy and therefore might be subject to change.
Mom knew how much Charlie loved math. And he really did. Sure the competitions were fun and exciting and they always saw who could eat the most pizza afterward (normally Rohan). But what he loved most was how logical math was. Two plus two equaled four. A triangle always had three sides. The quadratic formula was always the same. It made sense.
And even though Mom wasn’t here to cheer him on and he couldn’t quite depend on Dad to actually put an apple in his lunch, two plus two still equaled four.
Math was something Charlie could count on.
Twelve-year-old Charlie Price is having a very difficult year. His mother is dead, his best friend, Frank, has disappeared, and even things that once brought him joy, like Mathletes, can’t quite quiet the sadness and anger that seem to bubble just beneath the surface of his skin. Lost and alone, Charlie is consumed by grief until an unexpected discovery beneath his sister Imogen’s bed transports the two into a world far beyond their wildest dreams. A world in which their mother is still alive. Suddenly, the things that Charlie missed most – the comfort of her embrace, the warmth of her smile, the familiar tang of her spaghetti sauce – are within reach again. Charlie treasures these secret, stolen moments with the mother he thought lost to him forever, but can’t help but grow concerned as memories fade, secrets are revealed, and the line between the two realities begins to blur. It will take all of Charlie’s cunning, daring, and heart, along with the help of his friend, Elliot, and his adorable canine companion, Ruby, to rescue Imogen from the clutches of this mysterious other world before it’s too late.
Dear Mom, I can’t believe you died. Love, Charlie.
Dear Mom, I get so sick of everyone asking how I’m doing. How do they think I’m doing? Love, Charlie.
Dear Mom, You died and all I got was this stupid support group with this lady who thinks that she knows how I feel and she doesn’t. Love, Charlie.
In the interest of full disclosure, I will begin this review by sharing that I have the immense pleasure of calling Jennifer Maschari my friend. Over the past two years Jennifer has offered me kindness, support and friendship for which I’ll forever be grateful. Before that, however, there was the promise of Charlie Price. I first stumbled upon The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price on Goodreads in 2014 and I knew in an instant that I had discovered something special. It was over a discussion of her debut novel (and a shared love of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups) over which we first bonded. But even if we have never spoken, even if I were not lucky enough to call Jennifer my friend, I would not hesitate to declare The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price one of the best middle grade books I have had the privilege of reading in this or any other year. In a world populated by hidden doors, secret worlds and miraculous magic, The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price reminds us that it is the things we often take for granted – family, friendship, love, and even life itself – that are the most extraordinary of all. Rich, mature, insightful and absolutely enthralling, you will never again believe that middle grade literature is ‘just for kids’.
“I told you! I told you, Charlie,” Imogen said. Her arm began to swing, taking his with it. “I knew you’d come find me. Do you believe me now?”
And all at once he couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. Everything he knew about anything flew out the window and took his brain and heart and voice with it.
Finally, a word came. “Mom?”
From moments of uncontrollable anger to quiet reticence and introspection, the vast spectrum of Charlie’s emotion in the wake of significant and unimaginable loss is exquisitely well-rendered with an earnest sincerity that cannot fail to move even the most hardened reader. The author reconciles these seemingly disparate elements of Charlie’s personality with ease, exploring both his innocence and intense vulnerability in the wake of his mother’s death, as well as his desperate bravado in a heart-wrenching portrait of a child struggling to hold his family together and make sense of something as senseless as losing a parent at such a young age. This insightful character study is not exclusive to Charlie. The secondary characters add another much-appreciated layer of depth to the story as Maschari examines how grief manifests differently in every individual. Charlie’s father becomes consumed with work. Imogen retreats into a land of imagination and fantasy. Elliot over-schedules herself to remain focused on other things. The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price reminds readers that there is no ‘right’ way to grieve and that the journey toward healing and acceptance is an extremely personal one.
For Charlie it was as if the rotation of the earth had picked up speed and he was losing his grip – on Dad, on Imogen, on Mathletes, on everything he loved. One false move, one little slip, and Charlie felt he’d lose his balance and go flying out into space. And he couldn’t help but think that the one difference, the one change, was seeing Mom again.
Death is one of the few, universal truths which we all must face. Jennifer Maschari explores this topic with grace and sensitivity, allowing young readers to examine complex issues of loss and grief in a safe space. Confronting one’s mortality can be a terrifying and overwhelming undertaking. There is, however, an undeniable comfort and beauty in the author’s unique interpretation that I have rarely had the pleasure of experiencing before. The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price acts as a touching reminder that to grieve is to remember that we have lived well, and loved well, and that those who are gone are never truly lost or forgotten. Charlie and Imogen need not visit the hidden world beneath Imogen’s bed in order to be close to their mother, because she continues to live on in their memories and in their hearts. Jennifer Maschari emphasizes that to honour the dead is not to sacrifice our life for theirs but to live our lives to the fullest extent in order to honour those who may not. While the author’s touching exploration of these themes is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and personal histories, The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price would make a particularly precious and important gift for young readers suffering from a significant loss like Charlie’s, from whom they could draw a great deal of comfort. Maschari’s use of description is lush and evocative, allowing readers to traverse everything from the familiar landscape of a middle school classroom to a magical alternate reality with ease. Even something as benign as a description of a dog – Imogen always said it looked like Ruby had been dusted with powdered sugar. Charlie thought she looked like she had been sprinkled with stars. – becomes a line of delicate poetry in this author’s very capable hands. The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price achieves the perfect balance of the real and the fantastical, blending realistic issues and a contemporary setting with magical, otherworldly elements and in doing so demonstrating a versatility sure to appeal to young readers with a variety of tastes.
“Magic,” she whispered. Charlie agreed. He had once thought that magic died when Mom did. Maybe the good kind. But this bad magic – the kind he was dealing with now. The kind that stole Imogen. It didn’t die.
It woke up.
Gentle, compassionate and imaginative, The Remarkable Journey Of Charlie Price is a quiet but no less powerful reflection on the importance of honouring the memories of our past and embracing the endless possibility of our future. In her poignant and tremendously intelligent middle grade debut, author Jennifer Maschari has crafted an exquisite novel which audiences will have the ability to grow into, instead of out of. Younger readers will have a great deal of fun enjoying the magical rescue mission on which Charlie eventually embarks, while older readers will appreciate the profundity of the novel’s more subtle, complex meditation on death and mourning. In an age where so few things are exactly as advertised, Jennifer Maschari’s 2016 middle grade debut truly is nothing short of remarkable.
Please Note: All quotations included in this review have been taken from an advanced reader copy and therefore might be subject to change.
October 27, 2015
I had the chance to read an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is heartfelt and earnest, and I sobbed through the last 30 pages. Charlie is a 12 year old boy who loves math and his friends and his family, and he and his sister are both reeling from the death of their mother. When his sister finds a portal to a world where their mother is still alive, at first it seems like a miracle. But as Charlie soon learns, there is no joy without loss, no way to enjoy the good things in life without also accepting the bad. Charlie and his friends are a brave and loyal group, and readers will enjoy getting to know them.
This book is heartfelt and earnest, and I sobbed through the last 30 pages. Charlie is a 12 year old boy who loves math and his friends and his family, and he and his sister are both reeling from the death of their mother. When his sister finds a portal to a world where their mother is still alive, at first it seems like a miracle. But as Charlie soon learns, there is no joy without loss, no way to enjoy the good things in life without also accepting the bad. Charlie and his friends are a brave and loyal group, and readers will enjoy getting to know them.
July 29, 2015
A unique and cleverly written story.
December 16, 2015
I've read quite a few 2016 middle grade debuts at this point, and it never fails to amaze me how unique and memorable they all are. THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE is no exception.
Charlie Price is dealing with the aftermath of a tragedy: his mother's death. While Charlie barely tolerates grief group and struggles with bouts of anger, his sister Imogen is strangely okay after their mother's death, and Charlie soon discovers why. Imogen has discovered a trap door to an alternate universe beneath her bed, and in that universe, their mom is ALIVE.
Now, some readers may balk at that concept, but let me tell you, Jennifer Maschari nailed the balance between incredulous and magical. Charlie's struggles in the real world are grounded and emotionally resonant, while his forays into this strange, somehow sinister alternate world are met with equal skepticism: how can this be possible? And how does this change Charlie's grief? Maschari asks all of these questions, never flinching from the challenges that readers will bring to the idea. For that reason, the story not only works, but transports.
CHARLIE PRICE is a book that will fascinate kids and raise honest questions for adults. By the time you finish the read, you will find yourself quite enamored with the characters and the concept.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Charlie Price is dealing with the aftermath of a tragedy: his mother's death. While Charlie barely tolerates grief group and struggles with bouts of anger, his sister Imogen is strangely okay after their mother's death, and Charlie soon discovers why. Imogen has discovered a trap door to an alternate universe beneath her bed, and in that universe, their mom is ALIVE.
Now, some readers may balk at that concept, but let me tell you, Jennifer Maschari nailed the balance between incredulous and magical. Charlie's struggles in the real world are grounded and emotionally resonant, while his forays into this strange, somehow sinister alternate world are met with equal skepticism: how can this be possible? And how does this change Charlie's grief? Maschari asks all of these questions, never flinching from the challenges that readers will bring to the idea. For that reason, the story not only works, but transports.
CHARLIE PRICE is a book that will fascinate kids and raise honest questions for adults. By the time you finish the read, you will find yourself quite enamored with the characters and the concept.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2016
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF CHARLIE PRICE. This book is so special because it is evident that the author left her heart on every single page. There are touching characters, heart-wrenching grief, and a page-turning mystery. But what makes it shimmer is the heart. It’s everywhere. And it’s a treasure. Bravo!
April 4, 2016
A great first book from new author Jennifer Maschari about love and loss and finding the courage to continue when you have lost a loved one.
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