What do you think?
Rate this book
The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly
Charlie O’Reilly is an only child. Which is why it makes everyone uncomfortable when he talks about his brother.
Liam. His eight-year-old kid brother, who, up until a year ago, slept in the bunk above Charlie, took pride in being as annoying as possible, and was the only person who could make Charlie laugh until it hurt.
Then came the morning when the bunk, and Liam, disappeared forever. No one even remembers him—not Charlie’s mother, who has been lost in her own troubles; and not Charlie’s father, who is gone frequently on business trips. The only person who believes Charlie is his best friend, Ana—even if she has no memory of Liam, she is as determined as Charlie is to figure out what happened to him.
The search seems hopeless—until Charlie receives a mysterious note, written in Liam’s handwriting. The note leads Charlie and Ana to make some profound discoveries about a magic they didn’t know existed, and they soon realize that if they're going to save Liam, they may need to risk being forgotten themselves, forever.
Rebecca K.S. Ansari’s debut novel is a stunning contemporary fantasy about love, loss, and the power to forgive that we all have inside us—even if we sometimes forget that it’s there.
Liam. His eight-year-old kid brother, who, up until a year ago, slept in the bunk above Charlie, took pride in being as annoying as possible, and was the only person who could make Charlie laugh until it hurt.
Then came the morning when the bunk, and Liam, disappeared forever. No one even remembers him—not Charlie’s mother, who has been lost in her own troubles; and not Charlie’s father, who is gone frequently on business trips. The only person who believes Charlie is his best friend, Ana—even if she has no memory of Liam, she is as determined as Charlie is to figure out what happened to him.
The search seems hopeless—until Charlie receives a mysterious note, written in Liam’s handwriting. The note leads Charlie and Ana to make some profound discoveries about a magic they didn’t know existed, and they soon realize that if they're going to save Liam, they may need to risk being forgotten themselves, forever.
Rebecca K.S. Ansari’s debut novel is a stunning contemporary fantasy about love, loss, and the power to forgive that we all have inside us—even if we sometimes forget that it’s there.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2019
68 people are currently reading
3461 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Ansari
2 books150 followersRebecca Ansari lives in a very loud house in Minneapolis with her husband, their four boys, and two huge dogs. After twelve years as an ER doctor, she shelved her scrubs to write magical and mysterious worlds for middle grade readers. She is drawn to any story that evokes, “Please, mom! Just one more chapter!” and she strives to craft the same. When she isn’t writing, you can find her joyously biking and skiing, begrudgingly running, or escaping “up north” with family, friends and a stack of good books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
September 2, 2022
4/26/22 If you have read this book, I am curious; what genre do you think best describes it?
3/24/22 What a wild ride! You'll keep turning the pages to find out what happened to Charlie's brother Liam and why Charlie keeps having dreams about a family from 1800s Ireland. As enjoyable the second time as it was the first time. 😊
5/20/21 Charlie's brother Liam has disappeared and Charlie is the only one who remembers him. With a little help from his friend Ana and the new youth assistant coach Jonathon, can Charlie find him? Part mystery, part creepy story; this book will keep readers turning the pages as they unravel the truth.
Fans of adventure and quest stories will want to give this one a try.
3/24/22 What a wild ride! You'll keep turning the pages to find out what happened to Charlie's brother Liam and why Charlie keeps having dreams about a family from 1800s Ireland. As enjoyable the second time as it was the first time. 😊
5/20/21 Charlie's brother Liam has disappeared and Charlie is the only one who remembers him. With a little help from his friend Ana and the new youth assistant coach Jonathon, can Charlie find him? Part mystery, part creepy story; this book will keep readers turning the pages as they unravel the truth.
Fans of adventure and quest stories will want to give this one a try.
March 18, 2019
This was a book that had pieces that fit together seamlessly and pieces you struggled to see how and where they would fit. But once they did and you saw it all put together, it was amazing.
August 4, 2019
I loved this. I don’t have the words to describe why, but it’s going to stick with me for a very long time. 🖤
January 29, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from Edelweiss
This was such a fun book! I don't want to get too into the plot because it actually gets pretty involved [for a middle grade book at least] and throws a few curve balls at you towards the end, but I will just say that I was actually worried a bit about the length of the book before I started and once I got into it, it kept my interest and I never felt like it dragged at all. It was a fun read and definitely a very original concept. Overall it's just a really cute story about finding your place in your family and the world in general and how even though there are things that may happen in your life that are bad it's always important to keep going and keep trying.
This was such a fun book! I don't want to get too into the plot because it actually gets pretty involved [for a middle grade book at least] and throws a few curve balls at you towards the end, but I will just say that I was actually worried a bit about the length of the book before I started and once I got into it, it kept my interest and I never felt like it dragged at all. It was a fun read and definitely a very original concept. Overall it's just a really cute story about finding your place in your family and the world in general and how even though there are things that may happen in your life that are bad it's always important to keep going and keep trying.
October 1, 2018
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly to collabookation for review. Review:
Remember when you were a kid and in a fit of sadness/regret/rage you wished you had never been born? This book walks Charlie and his brother, Liam, down that path.
Last year Charlie went to bed on the eve of his birthday hoping he'd be gifted his own room. His little brother Liam is driving him crazy! When he wakes, Liam isn't in his room anymore, but he isn't anywhere else either. When he finds that his parents have no recollection of a little brother named Liam, Charlie's life changes forever.
Ansari creates a stunning world of melancholic mystery. A complex cast of characters all help to put the puzzle together~ and the mystery is multifaceted and intriguing. Several elements were especially appealing to me: the unbreakable friendship between Charlie and Ana, the new bonds formed over the course of the journey, and the eerie mood throughout the tale. But what I loved most were the themes of unconditional love, remorse, and forgiveness that drive the story forward.
The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly is a wonderful addition for any classroom~ but I think it'd be a phenomenal bedtime story to share with an older child. It's definitely a book to be shared with someone you love.
Remember when you were a kid and in a fit of sadness/regret/rage you wished you had never been born? This book walks Charlie and his brother, Liam, down that path.
Last year Charlie went to bed on the eve of his birthday hoping he'd be gifted his own room. His little brother Liam is driving him crazy! When he wakes, Liam isn't in his room anymore, but he isn't anywhere else either. When he finds that his parents have no recollection of a little brother named Liam, Charlie's life changes forever.
Ansari creates a stunning world of melancholic mystery. A complex cast of characters all help to put the puzzle together~ and the mystery is multifaceted and intriguing. Several elements were especially appealing to me: the unbreakable friendship between Charlie and Ana, the new bonds formed over the course of the journey, and the eerie mood throughout the tale. But what I loved most were the themes of unconditional love, remorse, and forgiveness that drive the story forward.
The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly is a wonderful addition for any classroom~ but I think it'd be a phenomenal bedtime story to share with an older child. It's definitely a book to be shared with someone you love.
July 17, 2022
“And my parents... who always bought me any book I wanted, even when they didn't think the Sweet Sixteen series had much literary merit.
But those are the books that made me a reader.
If you meet kids where they are, amazing things can happen.”
I already loved The Missing Piece of Charlie O’Reilly, & then the author’s acknowledgements following the story caused me to cheer out loud!
THIS IS EVERYTHING.
Let. Kids. Read. What. They. Want. 🥳👏
But those are the books that made me a reader.
If you meet kids where they are, amazing things can happen.”
I already loved The Missing Piece of Charlie O’Reilly, & then the author’s acknowledgements following the story caused me to cheer out loud!
THIS IS EVERYTHING.
Let. Kids. Read. What. They. Want. 🥳👏
April 21, 2024
It was pretty good I liked it
April 24, 2019
The mystery of The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly involves what happened between these two brothers, we know it was something major, but what could've been so bad that caused one brother to make a wish leading to the disappearance of the other? Early in the story, Charlie begins to have bad dreams, images of himself during the 1800s in Ireland and then later immigrating to the United States. He's not quite sure whether the dreams are trying to tell him something, but he feels a connection exists between him and the people in his dreams. Then mysterious things begin to happen at home, his comic books have been rifled through and a note appears telling him to talk to his assistant baseball coach, Jonathan. It's Jonathan who helps fill in the details about what might have happened to Liam. Jonathan relays that he was a child who once disappeared and had his existence eliminated after he made a wish to never be born. Yet, now he's back, although none of his family recognizes him. Jonathan believes that he has a way for Charlie to get his brother back and with Ana's help they develop a plan to find Liam.
Jonathan, Charlie, and Ana enter the Asylum for Orphaned Children, a place that was founded over 180 years ago and sits hidden away on the remains of the burned out building. It's within the Asylum that Charlie is reunited with Liam and learns the truth about what happened on the night prior to his birthday and the secrets that Jonathan has been hiding from Charlie are also revealed. Their situation soon becomes dire when they all learn that there may not be a way of getting back home after all. That Brona, the creepy woman who runs the Asylum may have planned for them to be trapped with her after all. Brona reminded me a lot of the White Witch from The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, the way in which her voice draws Charlie in, comforts him, the dotting causing him to forget his purpose for being in the Asylum. She's not cold or evil per se but she does try to manipulate him, play on his emotions and there is some creepiness to her motives that comes together nicely toward the end of the book.
Another aspect of the story that I really enjoyed was the theme of forgiveness. How the story asks the question of whether we can forgive ourselves for our wrongs, the idea that a life living must include all the good and bad moments. It's the kind of book that leaves a lot of food for thought.
**Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review via a Giveaway hosted at Word Spelunking for Middle-Grade March**
Jonathan, Charlie, and Ana enter the Asylum for Orphaned Children, a place that was founded over 180 years ago and sits hidden away on the remains of the burned out building. It's within the Asylum that Charlie is reunited with Liam and learns the truth about what happened on the night prior to his birthday and the secrets that Jonathan has been hiding from Charlie are also revealed. Their situation soon becomes dire when they all learn that there may not be a way of getting back home after all. That Brona, the creepy woman who runs the Asylum may have planned for them to be trapped with her after all. Brona reminded me a lot of the White Witch from The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, the way in which her voice draws Charlie in, comforts him, the dotting causing him to forget his purpose for being in the Asylum. She's not cold or evil per se but she does try to manipulate him, play on his emotions and there is some creepiness to her motives that comes together nicely toward the end of the book.
Another aspect of the story that I really enjoyed was the theme of forgiveness. How the story asks the question of whether we can forgive ourselves for our wrongs, the idea that a life living must include all the good and bad moments. It's the kind of book that leaves a lot of food for thought.
**Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review via a Giveaway hosted at Word Spelunking for Middle-Grade March**
June 25, 2019
Charlie can't understand why nobody can remember his little brother Liam, not even their parents. But he's determined to figure out what happened. And to get him back. Regrets and runaways. Dreams and dual timelines. Local history and dilapidated landmarks. Believing and best friends. Forever and facing the consequences.
This is a difficult book to pigeonhole. Not too scary, but tension-inducing. Not historical, but Charlie dreams of the past as if he were a different person, so several scenes take place there. Perhaps a psychological thriller for the middle grade set? Smart, heartbreaking, and raw with regrets. A satisfying culmination and finish. I look forward to more from Ansari.
This is a difficult book to pigeonhole. Not too scary, but tension-inducing. Not historical, but Charlie dreams of the past as if he were a different person, so several scenes take place there. Perhaps a psychological thriller for the middle grade set? Smart, heartbreaking, and raw with regrets. A satisfying culmination and finish. I look forward to more from Ansari.
December 24, 2018
This one just didn't ever click for me. The super-cheesy dialogue kept pulling me out of the story (not to mention "Jonathon"'s name -- ugh, WHY spell it that way?) and I couldn't stay focused. I THINK a lot of the disparate pieces of the story ended up working out and piecing together, but as I read, that piecing-together never felt very natural. I appear to be the only one who feels that way, so maybe I was in the wrong frame of mind to read it? I dunno, but this isn't one I'll be passing along to further readers.
August 3, 2022
Despite the "suggested" age for this book, it is a true gem! The emotions run wild, and the plot thickens with every page; each new step brings both you and the characters closer to the heart churning end!
You dont see the ending coming, nor do you see the sorrow that comes with the end. It's one of my favorite young human books!
You dont see the ending coming, nor do you see the sorrow that comes with the end. It's one of my favorite young human books!
January 21, 2020
OH. MY. GOSH. What just happened there? It...was beautiful and it showed me family in a different light. His mom who has forgotten not 1, but 2! Of her sons. Charlie who was the only one who remembered Liam, the annoying younger sibling. Jonathon escaping and seeing his family every day and not having them remember him. Brona, losing everyone she loved.
I just felt for his mom. She was in great depression because to pieces of her heart where gone. And although her mind had no recollection of her sons her heart did. And that was a powerful reminder that a mother's love is the most powerful thing in the world. Her heart was only full after ALL of her sons where home.
Poor Charlie. Everyone but Ana thought that he was crazy. But he loved Liam, and was able to forgive Jonathon. I am the person who sometimes wants the annoying younger sibling to disappear, and he thinking that it was his fault, carrying that weight with him for a year. Is crushing.
Jonathon. What can I say? That guilt he carried was so great. All he wanted was forgiveness but tried to hard to protect Charlie from him.
Brona, classic guilty feeling so tried to fix the world. But at the end where Charlie helped her find peace was so powerful.
I just felt for his mom. She was in great depression because to pieces of her heart where gone. And although her mind had no recollection of her sons her heart did. And that was a powerful reminder that a mother's love is the most powerful thing in the world. Her heart was only full after ALL of her sons where home.
Poor Charlie. Everyone but Ana thought that he was crazy. But he loved Liam, and was able to forgive Jonathon. I am the person who sometimes wants the annoying younger sibling to disappear, and he thinking that it was his fault, carrying that weight with him for a year. Is crushing.
Jonathon. What can I say? That guilt he carried was so great. All he wanted was forgiveness but tried to hard to protect Charlie from him.
Brona, classic guilty feeling so tried to fix the world. But at the end where Charlie helped her find peace was so powerful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2025
I loved this story! My daughter came home, saying her teacher was reading it to the class and she wanted to continue to read it at home so we borrowed it on Libby and I couldn’t put it down. It is a great mystery/ghost story for older middle and high school students.
Charlie had a brother that no one else remembers existing and he’s determined to figure out where he went. With the help of his best friend and his teenage baseball coach they uncover the mystery and discover even more along the way.
Charlie had a brother that no one else remembers existing and he’s determined to figure out where he went. With the help of his best friend and his teenage baseball coach they uncover the mystery and discover even more along the way.
April 27, 2023
I am sobbing.
This book is beautiful. This author so beautifully captures grief, regret, pain, what it is to be human, and complicated emotions.
If everybody throws their problems into a pile, they’d all grab theirs back, right? Maybe.
The problems we struggle with always seem so huge in the moment, but if we run away, we miss the beauty that can come out of it.
Forgiveness, healing, love, respect, growth.
I’m still tearing up.
This book is beautiful. This author so beautifully captures grief, regret, pain, what it is to be human, and complicated emotions.
If everybody throws their problems into a pile, they’d all grab theirs back, right? Maybe.
The problems we struggle with always seem so huge in the moment, but if we run away, we miss the beauty that can come out of it.
Forgiveness, healing, love, respect, growth.
I’m still tearing up.
November 22, 2021
Very creepy, with a sufficiently complex plot. The characters were likable and engaging. It kept me turning pages and thinking about the story even when I was doing other things. Most of the threads tied themselves neatly at the end and the two that didn't weren't deal breakers for me.
July 15, 2019
Couldn't put this down!
October 15, 2019
Lots of neat twists and turns in this one. It didn't end up being the book I thought it would be, but I like how it did end up.
November 22, 2020
All the stars!!!! This book was so good! This may be my favorite read of 2020, and definitely going on my all time favorites.
January 27, 2022
Wow what a great book! There was alot woven into this book. I wasn't sure which direction it was heading into. This is a really fun middle grade read.
March 31, 2019
Read the flagged passage on my blog post… I’ll wait…
Welcome back. Those are the first few paragraphs of the book. Wow, right?! One of my favorite beginnings ever, and I was so excited to share it with anyone who would listen (I tweeted it, I read it to my students, I read it to anyone!) And yes, the rest of the book lives up to the expectations of that amazing start.
I was so impressed with the crafting of this novel, specifically as a debut novel. The author combines narratives, adds twists and turns, and keeps you guessing throughout the novel. The direction you think the novel is going to go is ever changing so predictions are impossible to make. All of these aspects made for an enjoyable novel that, as the name suggests, is a puzzle waiting to be put together.
Rebecca K.S. Ansari also did a wonderful job threading different big ideas throughout the book: acceptance, guilt, friendship, hope, trust, depression. Different sections of the book highlight these different big ideas and could be used for great discussions. The book also, as you can see, deals with some really tough and dark big ideas, but I think this narrative will give many students a jumping off point for talking about some of the struggles and ideas in Charlie’s story.
And the characters in the book are well-crafted and multi-dimensional. Each character has a full story that is developed to allow the reader to truly get to know the world that Charlie is adventuring in. I specifically loved the friendship between Charlie and Ana–an unexpected friendship that was built on trust, believing, and support.
Full review with teaching tools and educators' guide: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
Welcome back. Those are the first few paragraphs of the book. Wow, right?! One of my favorite beginnings ever, and I was so excited to share it with anyone who would listen (I tweeted it, I read it to my students, I read it to anyone!) And yes, the rest of the book lives up to the expectations of that amazing start.
I was so impressed with the crafting of this novel, specifically as a debut novel. The author combines narratives, adds twists and turns, and keeps you guessing throughout the novel. The direction you think the novel is going to go is ever changing so predictions are impossible to make. All of these aspects made for an enjoyable novel that, as the name suggests, is a puzzle waiting to be put together.
Rebecca K.S. Ansari also did a wonderful job threading different big ideas throughout the book: acceptance, guilt, friendship, hope, trust, depression. Different sections of the book highlight these different big ideas and could be used for great discussions. The book also, as you can see, deals with some really tough and dark big ideas, but I think this narrative will give many students a jumping off point for talking about some of the struggles and ideas in Charlie’s story.
And the characters in the book are well-crafted and multi-dimensional. Each character has a full story that is developed to allow the reader to truly get to know the world that Charlie is adventuring in. I specifically loved the friendship between Charlie and Ana–an unexpected friendship that was built on trust, believing, and support.
Full review with teaching tools and educators' guide: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
May 12, 2019
Compelling, complex and creepy mystery.
January 31, 2025
Charlie dianggap mengalami gangguan jiwa oleh orang sekitarnya. Dia sering membahaskan tentang kehilangan adiknya Liam. Tetapi bagi keluarga O'Reilly mahupun jiran-jiran mereka, Charlie adalah anak tunggal bagi keluarga itu. Dia tidak pernah mempunyai adik-beradik yang lain. Kerana serik dianggap sebegitu, Charlie berhenti bercerita tentang Liam kecuali kepada rakan baiknya, Ana. Hinggalah pada suatu hari dia mendapat satu nota yang memberi petunjuk kehadiran Liam itu adalah benar.
Biasanya kehilangan ahli keluarga memang menyedihkan tetapi memori bahagia bersama mereka tetap membahagiakan. Tapi kalau ada yang hilang dan terus luput dari ingatan seolah-olah tidak wujud itu lebih pedih. Lagi pula hanya Charlie seorang yang masih mempunyai ingatan tentang Liam. Ana yang mempercayai Charlie pun langsung tidak ingat akan Liam.
Sedih sebenarnya kisah Bronna ni. Dan ini menyebabkan dia tidak ingin orang lain turut terperangkap dalam kesedihan. Dan SH dapat mengagak apa yang cuba dilakukan terhadap Charlie dan apa hubungan mereka berdua.
Jonathon juga satu watak yang sangat menarik. Baik hati. Namun menyimpan sejuta rahsia dalam dirinya. Walaupun SH dapat meneka perbuatannya namun SH tak sangka dengan rahsia yang disimpan jauh di lubuk hatinya itu.
SH sukakan perhubungan adik beradik O'Reilly dalam naskah ini. Saling bergantung di antara satu sama lain. Walaupun sering bergaduh seperti mana resam adik beradik lainnya, mereka sangat menyayangi antara satu sama lain.
Biasanya kehilangan ahli keluarga memang menyedihkan tetapi memori bahagia bersama mereka tetap membahagiakan. Tapi kalau ada yang hilang dan terus luput dari ingatan seolah-olah tidak wujud itu lebih pedih. Lagi pula hanya Charlie seorang yang masih mempunyai ingatan tentang Liam. Ana yang mempercayai Charlie pun langsung tidak ingat akan Liam.
Sedih sebenarnya kisah Bronna ni. Dan ini menyebabkan dia tidak ingin orang lain turut terperangkap dalam kesedihan. Dan SH dapat mengagak apa yang cuba dilakukan terhadap Charlie dan apa hubungan mereka berdua.
Jonathon juga satu watak yang sangat menarik. Baik hati. Namun menyimpan sejuta rahsia dalam dirinya. Walaupun SH dapat meneka perbuatannya namun SH tak sangka dengan rahsia yang disimpan jauh di lubuk hatinya itu.
SH sukakan perhubungan adik beradik O'Reilly dalam naskah ini. Saling bergantung di antara satu sama lain. Walaupun sering bergaduh seperti mana resam adik beradik lainnya, mereka sangat menyayangi antara satu sama lain.
November 5, 2024
Magic can come in various forms. As can terror. The good kind of magic makes dreams come true, and the bad kind can make nightmares happen for real.
This book seemed to start on a shaky tone for me, but once I was quickly able to push past my initial lack of conviction, I was readily taken in by Charlie's anguish and distress and sense of loss. The fantastic aspect of the story did me a bit to accept and get invested in, but again, once I did that, the story was richly rewarding and kept opening layers upon layers of hidden connections between Charlie and the other characters around him, and also with some characters that weren't strictly around him (!).
The story will break your heart, more than once, and then put it back together again, before shattering it all over again, and then finally help you look for and pick up the pieces. Incredibly sensitive character portrayals, along with nuanced and unique personalities abound all across.
For a middle grade reader, the book is extremely sensitively written and could come across as almost challenging for at least a few readers. However, with a little help and encouragement from loving grown-ups, all eager readers can not just understand but empathize with Charlie, and appreciate what he is going through, as he makes his way to the stunning conclusion.
Left me speechless. Unforgettable.
This book seemed to start on a shaky tone for me, but once I was quickly able to push past my initial lack of conviction, I was readily taken in by Charlie's anguish and distress and sense of loss. The fantastic aspect of the story did me a bit to accept and get invested in, but again, once I did that, the story was richly rewarding and kept opening layers upon layers of hidden connections between Charlie and the other characters around him, and also with some characters that weren't strictly around him (!).
The story will break your heart, more than once, and then put it back together again, before shattering it all over again, and then finally help you look for and pick up the pieces. Incredibly sensitive character portrayals, along with nuanced and unique personalities abound all across.
For a middle grade reader, the book is extremely sensitively written and could come across as almost challenging for at least a few readers. However, with a little help and encouragement from loving grown-ups, all eager readers can not just understand but empathize with Charlie, and appreciate what he is going through, as he makes his way to the stunning conclusion.
Left me speechless. Unforgettable.
February 7, 2019
I was given this arc to read by my Principal after he met Mrs. Anasari’s husband. This debut novel follows the story of Charlie, who knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has a younger brother, Liam, that no one else remembers. With everyone else thinking he is crazy, the only person he can talk to about Liam is his best friend Anna. That is until a note written in Liam’s handwriting is found amongst Charlie’s baseball bag that instructs him to talk to The assistant coach Jonathan. With his help, Charlie and Anna set out to figure out what actually happened to Liam and how to bring him back.
I did enjoy this story. The mystery and parallel world were nicely created. My favorite part though was the friendship between Anna and Charlie. It never wavered the entire time. Anna stuck by Charlie when everyone else thought he was nuts. This story shows the power of forgiveness. Not just the forgiveness that you extend to others for what they did to you but also forgiving yourself for the pain you may have caused others and the grief that comes with it. A lesson that life is a web of love, pain, forgiveness and friendship. That all the ups and downs matter.
I did enjoy this story. The mystery and parallel world were nicely created. My favorite part though was the friendship between Anna and Charlie. It never wavered the entire time. Anna stuck by Charlie when everyone else thought he was nuts. This story shows the power of forgiveness. Not just the forgiveness that you extend to others for what they did to you but also forgiving yourself for the pain you may have caused others and the grief that comes with it. A lesson that life is a web of love, pain, forgiveness and friendship. That all the ups and downs matter.
March 20, 2020
Charlie O'Reilly is missing a piece. Namely, his younger brother Liam, who disappeared on Charlie's birthday last year. But, Charlie is the only one who remembers Liam. The only one who believes that Liam ever existed. His best friend Ana supports Charlie, but may not truly believe in Liam's existence. But when Charlie starts getting clues to where Liam is, Ana is in. Even if the search will take them to a place they cannot return from. I am a one-sitting reader--especially now that COVID19 has given me additional time to read. This was not a one-sitting read for me. While I really appreciated the premise of the book, it just didn't pull me in. Until, that is, late in the book when the characters reached the Asylum and began engaging with the children there. I was riveted by the sad and inconsequential reasons that the children had wished their lives away. I also really appreciated the book's message about the power of forgiveness. Ultimately, I really enjoyed the last portion of the book. I just wish it hadn't taken so long to get to that point.
April 22, 2021
The Missing Piece of Charlie O’Reilly is a tale about love, loss, family and friendship while highlighting the healing power of forgiveness for ourselves and others. It has just the right mix of mystery, fantasy and spookiness to keep me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read this book. Ms. Ansari did an amazing job writing this story. I found this book to be a powerfully written tale that grabbed my heart-strings and still hasn’t let them go!
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Anasari, Walden Pond Press and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Anasari, Walden Pond Press and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 21, 2019
This book is one of the most painful, beautiful reads I've encountered. There is so much longing here, so much love, and so much of what children are and what they think.
To take the child-like expletive of "I wish I'd never been born!" that kids throw at their parents, but also truly desire in their hearts, and turn it into this book is sheer mastery by Rebecca Ansari. I got this copy from the library but I already know I'm buying copies for my boys and their friends' birthdays. I cannot get over this book.
To take the child-like expletive of "I wish I'd never been born!" that kids throw at their parents, but also truly desire in their hearts, and turn it into this book is sheer mastery by Rebecca Ansari. I got this copy from the library but I already know I'm buying copies for my boys and their friends' birthdays. I cannot get over this book.
June 4, 2019
J Fiction always helps me relax during stressful times. When I first started this book, I wasn’t too thrilled - it seemed a little cliche, predictable, especially the dialogue - but I started to enjoy it a lot more as I got further along. I got sucked in as both the plot and characters thicken, and was delighted by a twist I didn’t see coming at all. The Irish history intertwined with the modern storyline definitely added interesting layers. Overall, the characters became loyal, fierce, and selfless as the book went on. Strong family ties.
September 29, 2018
Thank you to the author for sharing this one with our #bookexpedition group!
For middle grade fans of mystery and fantasy, this story tells the tale of Charlie O’ Reilly and the search for his missing younger brother named Liam. The only problem...no one remembers Liam but Charlie.
With plenty of magic and themes of love, forgiveness, and family, this debut middle grade read will be a hit! Coming in March 2019.
For middle grade fans of mystery and fantasy, this story tells the tale of Charlie O’ Reilly and the search for his missing younger brother named Liam. The only problem...no one remembers Liam but Charlie.
With plenty of magic and themes of love, forgiveness, and family, this debut middle grade read will be a hit! Coming in March 2019.
November 20, 2018
This book came to me via an arc from the author.
This is a story about Charlie who remembers something about his life that his parents seem to forget...he had a brother named Liam. One day Charlie woke up and no one remembers his brother except him. Only his best friend will humor his thoughts about the possibility his brother is still alive and will come back one day. Full of twists and turns and a bit of mystery, this will be a book that fantasy lovers will want to get their hands on.
This is a story about Charlie who remembers something about his life that his parents seem to forget...he had a brother named Liam. One day Charlie woke up and no one remembers his brother except him. Only his best friend will humor his thoughts about the possibility his brother is still alive and will come back one day. Full of twists and turns and a bit of mystery, this will be a book that fantasy lovers will want to get their hands on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews