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Cover of Charlie Eggleston's Talking Skull

Charlie Eggleston's Talking Skull

Bruce Coville (2003)

SubgenreMiddle Grade Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages233 (Quick Read (<250))
Setting
CSM age8
Goodreads3.88

Content levels

ViolenceNone
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

Not yet tagged

Synopsis

Mr Elives' Magic Shop seems to appear from nowhere - and disappears again just as fast! Never in the same place twice, it sells only the most exclusive wares... A talking toad, anyone? A dragon's egg? There's plenty to choose from... When Charlie stumbles into Mr Elives' peculiar shop, he's only looking for a phone to call his parents. What he finds is a wise-cracking skull which compels people to tell the truth - however uncomfortable. Normally a shameless liar, Charlie is horrified to discover he can't keep the truth from popping out - with hilarious and disastrous consequences...

Is Charlie Eggleston's Talking Skull appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 8 and up.

A light, humorous fantasy about a boy who habitually lies learning to face uncomfortable truths through a magical skull. No violence, romance, or scary content—pure middle grade comedy with a moral lesson.

What to know going in

This book has no graphic violence, no sexual content, and clean language.

Who'll love this

Kids will love the hilarious situations Charlie gets into when he can't stop blurting out the truth after years of lying his way through life.

Tags

Contemporary FantasyMagical RealismHumorous Fantasy