Charlie Pippin

Chartreuse (Charlie) is convinced that her authoritarian father hates her because he always yells at her. So, she is shocked to learn from her grandmother, Mama Bliss, that Mr. Pippin was a ""rebel'' too at her age. For a class project, Charlie elects to study the Vietnam War, which her father always refuses to discuss with her. More surprises come when Charlie finds out that Mr. Pippin was a war hero. Despite her father's antagonism, Charlie researches the Vietnam War and nuclear weapons. Along the way, she learns that individualsincluding childrencan make a difference if they speak out. At the story's emotional ending, Charlie makes peace with her father, and he makes peace with his ghosts from the war. A strong black protagonist makes this a rare YA book; the finesse with which Boyd ties its many themes into a very moving, unified whole turns this into a stellar offering. Ages 8-12. (April)