A review by ashmeanything
Charlie Bone Lúc Nửa Đêm by Jenny Nimmo

4.0

In my effort to revisit books from my childhood, I picked this up and had a fun handful of hours reading it again. Between the easy-to-understand sentences, simple plot, and huge text, this book is obviously meant for very young children. Taking it for what it is, I enjoyed it a lot. I'm shocked at how many details I remembered (a good sign, since they have stuck with me for over a decade). It's fantastical and charming and is full of unique details that are fun to read. With very little questionable content nor complicated words, I think it's a great choice for an early reader.

Objectively, though, there is very little depth here. While intense things are happening in the plot, the author relieves any tension almost immediately, and things all work out because they do. Most things are told, not shown, so there is no need for the reader to figure out much for themselves. I wish more of the details were not skipped - for example, when three of the students go to save another, what happens? We only see them return in victory and the offending party going away defeated. Again, since it comes across as a very intentional choice, I don't mind it, but I would have loved more character and plot depth. I look forward to finishing the series, which I never did as a kid.

Content warning for brief fatphobia, mind control, kidnapping, death, and bullying.