“Narrated in a balance of warmhearted insight and wacky naiveté, Charlie’s life will resonate with readers trying to navigate the simple but realistic perils of elementary school. Making friends, getting along with siblings, avoiding trouble at school—these situations matter to young readers, and Harley captures these emotions with a light and humorous touch.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Harley’s delightful friendship story, with Gustavson’s spot-on illustrations, is humorous, yet poignant, and portrays the heartfelt good nature of true friends.” —Booklist Online

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2020

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and writer who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than twenty-five years. He is the recipient of Parents’ Choice and ALA awards. He won a 2007 Grammy Award for his children’s storytelling album Blah Blah Blah and a 2009 Grammy Award for his children’s spoken-word album Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live. He lives in Massachusetts. You can visit his website here.

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey. You can visit his website here.

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and writer who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than twenty-five years. He is the recipient of Parents’ Choice and ALA awards. He won a 2007 Grammy Award for his children’s storytelling album Blah Blah Blah and a 2009 Grammy Award for his children’s spoken-word album Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live. He lives in Massachusetts. You can visit his website here.

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey. You can visit his website here.

“The swift-paced story is powered by peppy repartee between Charlie and the people in his life, as well as his droll internal monologue… Dynamic and skillfully drafted ink-and-watercolor spot illustrations from Gustavson, who illustrated Harley’s Lost and Found, help chronicle the hijinks.” ―Publishers Weekly

“While Charlie seems incapable of avoiding mishaps, he also has some very good qualities, like helpfulness, which will have readers cheering him on…this is a fast-paced, enjoyable first entry in a new chapter-book series.” ―School Library Journal

“Harley has teamed once again with illustrator Gustavson (Lost and Found, 2012) to create a real-life world in which a likable kid must face the everyday terrors of childhood: enormous bullies, looming teachers and thick gym coaches with huge pointing fingers. Into this series opener, Harley magically weaves the simple lesson that people, even teachers, can surprise you. Readers will be waiting to see how Charlie faces his next challenge in a series that marks a lovely change of pace from the sarcasm of Wimpy Kid.” ―Kirkus Reviews

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“Narrator Charlie is personable and well-rounded as a Ramona Quimby-esque protagonist who faces a series of kid-familiar challenges in trying his best to do the right thing…readers will welcome him as a bumbling but generous addition to the ranks of novels for novices.” ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“An engaging school story in which kids face kid-sized problems like strict teachers and playground disputes. Charlie’s poor judgment often results in sitcom-type humor, but he’s such a kindhearted kid–in a believable way, not a too-sweet way–that readers care about him and share his empathy for others.” ―Common Sense Media

“Kids will relate strongly to the well-meaning but trouble-bound Charlie. All the characters in this book are extremely realistic, and the pen-and-ink drawings will make kids stop reading for a moment just to admire the pages. There’s plenty of humor, and everything that happens in this book is written in a way that makes you think it could actually happen.” ―Blue Owl Reviews

“Young readers will have no problem relating to Charlie and will see the humor in Charlie’s series of blunders. Will easily appeal to the elementary school boy.” ―Boys to Books

“Charlie Bumpers is a cute book that is sure to get the kids laughing… Yes, Charlie sometimes doesn’t think things through but hey, don’t we all! I would recommend this book to any teacher, parent or kid. This would be a fun book to read aloud in the classroom, or great for bedtime read aloud, or even silent reading.” ―Gidget’s Bookworms

“The writing and story in this novel are pitch-perfect for younger middle-grade readers. Charlie and his friends feel like real kids, struggling with real problems. As always, Harley captures childhood perfectly, with a nice dose of his trademark humor and plenty of warmth. This series is sure to be a hit with kids who like reading about real-life kids like themselves and fans of the Horrible Harry series who are a little older now.” ―Great Books for Kids and Teens

“I really enjoyed the character of Charlie Bumpers. While I’ve never been “teacher of the year”, I’ve had several Charlies. Really sweet, good kids that just don’t have it all together… I could see myself (or others) including this book on a unit on Realistic Fiction, Back to School, or to teach the different ways you learn about a character (through their words, their actions, how others treat them/treat others, etc). Or, just for fun!” ―Maestra Amanda’s Bookshelf

“Solid little elementary school reader. We’ll be adding it to our juvenile collection at MPOW and I will recommend it for purchase at the school libraries I assist with collection development. I also plan to buy a copy for my cousin’s child as I think she’ll strongly identify with Charlie.” ―Amy Tureen, Netgalley

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Parents’ Choice Recommended Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2013

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association 2014

Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award ―Oregon Association of School Libraries, 2015-2016

Virginia Readers’ Choice (Master List) ―Virginia State Reading Association, 2015-2016

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Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Arkansas Department of Education, 2015-2016

Delaware Diamonds (Nominee, Grades 3-5) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2014-2015

Flicker Tale Children’s Book Awards (Nominee, Intermediate) ―North Dakota Library Association, 2016

Golden Sower Award (Nominee, Intermediate) ―Nebraska Library Association, 2015-2016

Great Kids Can Read Award (Nominee) ―Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians, 2015-2016

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award (Master List) ―Salem State College, 2015-2016

Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards (Nominee, Grades 3-6) ―Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, 2014-2015

Rhode Island Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Rhode Island IRA Chapter, RILA, REIMA, 2014-2015

Sequoyah Book Awards (Children’s Master list) ―Oklahoma Library Association, 2016

South Carolina Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―South Carolina Association of School Librarians, 2015-2016

Horned Toad Tales (Nominee) ―Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District, 2014-2015

Gate City Book Award (Nominee) ―Elementary School Librarians of Nashua, New Hampshire, 2016-2017

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Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and writer who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than twenty-five years. He is the recipient of Parents’ Choice and ALA awards. He won a 2007 Grammy Award for his children’s storytelling album Blah Blah Blah and a 2009 Grammy Award for his children’s spoken-word album Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live. He lives in Massachusetts. You can visit his website here.

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey. You can visit his website here.

“Fans of the [audiobook] series will enjoy this third installment, and those new to Charlie will have no trouble following along.” ―School Library Journal

“Harley serves up hilarious high jinks squirming with Halloween trouble…. A learning experience for more than just the main character.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Harley develops all of Charlie’s concerns with a nice sense of balance and levity, and Gustavson’s uncommonly good spot illustrations are frequent, adding notes of creepiness or humor at all the right places.” ―Booklist

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“Author and narrator Harley delivers another great story for young boys… An exceptional choice for fans of this series and of Sally Warner’s EllRay Jakes series and Tommy Greenwald’s Charlie Joe Jackson series.” ―Booklist Online

“Occasional ink and watercolor illustrations highlight the installment’s funniest moments.” ―Horn Book Guide

“The more I read of Charlie, the more I like him for a good series for younger readers.” ―Ms. Yingling Reads

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Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2015

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and writer who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than twenty-five years. He is the recipient of Parents’ Choice and ALA awards. He won a 2007 Grammy Award for his children’s storytelling album Blah Blah Blah and a 2009 Grammy Award for his children’s spoken-word album Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live. He lives in Massachusetts. You can visit his website here.

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey. You can visit his website here.

“A heartwarming and sometimes laugh-out-loud tale about giving 100 percent even when you’re less than thrilled to do so… [L]isteners will be eager to find out how his adventure unfolds.” ―School Library Journal

“A storyteller with an uncanny sense of elementary school humor, Harley has penned a worthy sequel to Charlie Bumpers vs. The Teacher of the Year (2013). With illustrator Gustavson, he captures the frustration that comes with just having to make the best of a bad situation.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Strong characters, a fast-moving plot, and amusing black-and-white spot illustrations continue the fun in this second installment.” ―The Horn Book Guide

Parents’ Choice Recommended Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2014

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2015

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and writer who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than twenty-five years. He is the recipient of Parents’ Choice and ALA awards. He won a 2007 Grammy Award for his children’s storytelling album Blah Blah Blah and a 2009 Grammy Award for his children’s spoken-word album Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live. He lives in Massachusetts. You can visit his website here.

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey. You can visit his website here.

“Harley has as good a handle on tumultuous family relationships as he does on school-day mishaps…” ―Publishers Weekly

Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2015

Land of Enchantment Book Awards (Nominee, Grades 3-5) ―New Mexico Library Association, New Mexico Council of ILA, 2017-2018

Club Tome It List (Nominee) ―Tome Student Literacy Society, 2016

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and writer who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than twenty-five years. He is the recipient of Parents’ Choice and ALA awards. He won a 2007 Grammy Award for his children’s storytelling album Blah Blah Blah and a 2009 Grammy Award for his children’s spoken-word album Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live. He lives in Massachusetts. You can visit his website here.

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey. You can visit his website here.

“Master storyteller Harley scores again with fourth-grader Charlie Bumpers” ―Kirkus Reviews

“As always, Harley offers a touching glimpse into friendship and family life while creating a relatable story line.”  ―Boys to Books blog

“One of the best things about these books is Charlie’s intact, supportive family, positive role models, problems that actual students face, and sense of humor.” ―YA and Kids Book Central

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2017

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and writer who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than twenty-five years. He is the recipient of Parents’ Choice and ALA awards. He won a 2007 Grammy Award for his children’s storytelling album Blah Blah Blah and a 2009 Grammy Award for his children’s spoken-word album Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live. He lives in Massachusetts. You can visit his website here.

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey. You can visit his website here.