Charlie Bumpers vs. the Squeaking Skull

by Bill Harley Narrated by Bill Harley

Overview

Charlie and Tommy have big plans for Halloween. They're going to trick-or-treat and sleep over at Alex's house. But when Charlie finds out that the entertainment at the party will be the "Scariest Horror Movies Ever," he is struck by panic. Charlie loves candy, he loves sleepovers with his friends, but he absolutely hates horror movies.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal - Audio

11/01/2014
Gr 2–4—Charlie Bumpers is looking forward to a fun Halloween night hanging out with his friends, getting lots of candy, and having a sleepover. There are a few catches, though: he doesn't have a costume, and his sister wants to trick or treat with him. Worst of all, the slumber party will feature a scary movie, which he hates but doesn't want to admit to his friends. Charlie has a lot to figure out, and Halloween is just around the corner. Students will relate to the boy's various plights as he navigates the challenges of fourth grade and deals with his siblings, although some may find his slang silly. Harley narrates and does a nice job of balancing the different voices and switching from children to adults. The audiobook is followed by a brief interview with the author and a recording of the Charlie Bumpers song. Fans of the series will enjoy this third installment (after Charlie Bumpers vs. the Really Nice Gnome), and those new to Charlie will have no trouble following along.—Elizabeth Elsbree, Krug Elementary School, Aurora, IL

Kirkus Reviews

2014-06-18
Award-winning storyteller Harley serves up hilarious high jinks squirming with Halloween trouble.Charlie Bumpers is back on the scene, scaring himself into another life lesson with his fourth-grade friends.Tommy and Charlie always take their pesky little sisters trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. This year, though, the boys make big plans to wangle an invitation to their friend Alex’s party. Every kid dreams of snatching up full-sized candy bars in those upscale neighborhoods. But when Charlie discovers that the scariest movie ever will be shown at the sleepover, panic ensues. In an effort to prepare Charlie for the movie, older brother Matt gleefully shares the story of Simon Purslip, the long-fingered man who snatched people off the streets. The emotions shown in Gustavson’s ink-and-wash illustrations propel the storytelling further. Harley deftly covers the territory of unintended consequences, as a boy with good intentions ends up with a stolen costume idea, scary stories every day of the week and even less candy than before. Readers will empathize with the fear of being the most frightened kid in the room. Charlie’s thoughts and feelings are universal, making his realistic situation a learning experience for more than just the main character.Life is the best teacher, and if Charlie can survive all the troubles that come his way, maybe others can too. (Fiction. 7-10)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169087161
Publisher:	Peachtree Publishers, Ltd.
Publication date:	08/19/2014
Series:	Charlie Bumpers Series
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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