Books Like Charlie's Run
Families who loved Charlie's Run by Valerie Hobbs often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Charlie's Run by Valerie Hobbs often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their child is expressing a desperate need to fix or save a fracturing marriage. It speaks directly to the 'magical thinking' many children experience during a separation: the belief that if they are good enough, loud enough, or even gone long enough, their parents will be forced to reunite. It is a vital resource for children who feel burdened by adult problems and need to understand that the survival of the family unit is not their responsibility. Twelve-year-old Charlie is certain his parents' decision to split is a mistake he can correct. He decides to run away, convinced his disappearance will act as the catalyst for a reconciliation. Through Charlie's journey, the book explores themes of grief, the reality of adult choices, and the painful but necessary process of letting go. While it features the tension of a runaway story, the focus remains firmly on Charlie's internal growth and his eventual realization that his parents' love for him is separate from their relationship with each other.
