Childish Things

Stories of childhood aren't just for children. Grown-ups need them too. Childish Things is a collection of seventeen short stories about the moments we remember all our lives. Charlie shows us a mother's last gift to her son, the moment a girl finally understands her father and herself, a boy who shames his best friend and tries to make amends, and a boy whose adult friend shows him that his life belongs to himself and not his parents. Charlie gives us stories of failure and triumph, longing and friendship, struggle and fulfillment. The stories are rich in humor and empathy, arranged like a child's year, from the first day of school in September to a campfire scene at the end of summer. Read Childish Things and remember that some moments are special to us and live with us even now. This book also contains a bonus story, "Burning Embers", a comic look at these stories excerpted from another Charlie Close collection: Burning Embers and Others Stories of Marriage, Work, and Family.