I really enjoyed this book. it was first given to me the second week of school and i'gve finished it that same week. Allthough the father in the story was very rude and IGNORANT his role was some what understandable. Thwe way he took Charlie and shook him, threw him against the wall, locked him in the basement, and thed way he abused his wife were very indescribable. Being punished for beind outside so called "for bad kids" wasn;t a good enough reason. If you were going to have a child why would you lock them up and not feed him or her. The mother wasn't very enthuisiastic either..... all of the beatens and bruises wasn't called for and she just stood there and took it. When charlie entered the hospital he was very terrified. He feared his father and the spider that always stood in the corner that has watched him since he was locked up in the basement. I thought the spider was his father but it wasn't. But when Mrs. H got there I felt a sigh of relife. This book makes me think.

I am 13 and can read and watch a lot of things, but while there is no disturbing images like guts on the floor or descriptive open heart surgury, it was kind of hard to get through just becasue the isolation that this child has just makes you so sad. This is a book I would give to kids who think that they are not treated right by their parents because they dont have the lastest iPod. The hardest thing for me to accept is that this kind of stuff happens all the time.

I read it for summer reading. (I'm a freshman) and the kids in my school either loved it or hated it. I loved it.

I am 13 years old i really like this book it is about a boy who went outside even though his dad did not want him to go outside so the father locked him in the basement. His mother could not do anything about it either. Over time he lose's most of his simple education. well @ night he sneaks out of his hous to go urinate. then the door closed behind him and locked him out of the house. Then he ran to the street light. well over night someone found him on the street and they take him to the hospital then when he is all better he has to go live with Mrs. Harrigan because theauthorities found out about what his dad did. well now he has to learn all simple education and more. this is a sad but good story i say 12 and older.

I thought that this was a really good book and that kids my age should read it because it teaches to be happy with what and who we have instead of always being up set with what we dont have. And for the girl who said it was the worst book its probally because you are like one of those kids who wants everything to be there way and no one elses way! Good book though and i thing alot of kids should read it and learn from it.