By Mary Hill
Social scientists have conducted many studies on the subject of birth order of siblings and its impact. This book is a fictional account of a “so-called” middle child that you will learn to love. Her name Charlie C. Cooper. She is a mischievous, fun, and adventures young tween whose exploits will make you laugh and cry.
The story opens with the end of summer when Charlie has to start a new school after leaving her former school in disgrace. She put laxatives into the food at the cafeteria trying to get even with a rival bully. She confessed before any damage was done; but, the school officials expelled her and the juvenile court system ordered her into counseling.
Now, living in a Los Angeles community, where her dad has taken on a huge task of restoring an old mansion owned by famous magician Harry Houdini, Charlie is about to start a new school.
She sees a shrink and is hoping to put the past behind her, but her shrinks believe she needs a big assignment to redeem herself and part from her bullying ways. He orders her to befriend the most picked on, needy, er nerdy, kid in school.
Charlie discovers the needy nerd on her first day. Her name: Marta the Farta. She has nose hairs with buggers in them and looks like she has not bathed or combed her hair for weeks. Charlie has to make friends with Marta and find away to help her or stay in counseling forever.
She sees a shrink and is hoping to put the past behind her, but her shrinks believe she needs a big assignment to redeem herself and part from her bullying ways. He orders her to befriend the most picked on, needy, er nerdy, kid in school.
Charlie discovers the needy nerd on her first day. Her name: Marta the Farta. She has nose hairs with buggers in them and looks like she has not bathed or combed her hair for weeks. Charlie has to make friends with Marta and find away to help her or stay in counseling forever.
As she gets to know her fellow students, she finds out that all the girls have one major goal, joining the school’s elite gymnastics team. At first she is drawn to a beautiful and popular girl named Trixie who is followed by Babette. She makes friends with them while half-heartedily trying to make friends with Marta. Trixie tells her to get the dirt on her direct competition for the gymnastics team, Marta.
As Charlie becomes closer to Marta, she beings to see the dimension and and real character of Marta while she sees the meaness and pettiness of the bullies like Trixie and her popular friends. They will stop at nothing to win a spot on gymnastic team even blackmailing Charlie into finding the dirt on Marta to get her kicked out of the competion.
As Charlie becomes closer to Marta, she beings to see the dimension and and real character of Marta while she sees the meaness and pettiness of the bullies like Trixie and her popular friends. They will stop at nothing to win a spot on gymnastic team even blackmailing Charlie into finding the dirt on Marta to get her kicked out of the competion.
Charlie faces a dilemna: help Trixie and her vicious bullies or stand by a sweet, tragic girl like Marta.
You will have to read more to find out what Charlie decides to do. The ending has a lot of twist and turns and for me it did not end exactly how I thought it would.
Below is a summary look at how I rated Confessions of a So-called Middle Child.
This sounds like a read my middle tween might like!
I’d love to read this! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it! xo xo
Sounds like a great read-love the quick page turners!
I’m always looking for a new book to read. I like this!