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Teacher's Guide to It's Up to Charlie Hardin
by Dean Ing


book cover


Contents:


Recommended reading levels: Because of some of the material in this book, including some violence and language, classroom use of this book is probably most appropriate for intermediate grades, such as grades 5-8. The book would be particularly effective for units covering Texas History or American History.


Biographical information on Dean Ing:


Dean Ing was born in 1931 in Austin, Texas and has served in the Air Force; worked as an aerospace engineer; taught as a professor; and written books since 1977. In the preface to It's Up to Charlie Hardin, Ing notes that some of this book is autobiographical in nature from his time growing up in Austin during WWII. He holds a doctorate in communication theory, and his books include themes about survival and aerospace. He was nominated for a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award for best novelette. Ing currently resides in Oregon.


Biographical resources about Ing on the web include:


Suggested class activity: Have your students read about Ing’s life from various sources before beginning the book. Considering the book is somewhat autobiographical, students can predict what kind of ideas, situations, and characters may be present in the book.


Plot Summary:

Young Charlie Hardin is in the sixth grade and lives during WWII in Austin, Texas with his parents and dog, Lint. With his friends Aaron, Roy, and Jackie, Charlie manages to get into all sorts of exploits in and out of school, from egg wars to games of marbles and weekly movies. Life for Charlie seems normal until he and Aaron stumble upon a counterfeiting group in their own neighborhood. For his friends to stay out of trouble, it will be up to Charlie Hardin to save them.


Character Sketches:

Charlie Hardin—Charlie lives with his parents and his dog, Lint. He loves to seek out adventure, see movies with his friends, and find ways to make money. His reckless spirit can cause him to get into trouble.

Aaron Fischer—Aaron Fischer is Charlie’s best friend. He is a bit more responsible than Charlie, and feels protective of him. His father is a lawyer, which means that he has more income than Charlie at times.

Jackie Rhett—Jackie hangs out with Charlie and Aaron, but he is not as close to them. He can be a bit of a bully, and he can try to manipulate others to get what he wants. This makes Charlie and Aaron not want to play with him as much. He lives with his grandmother.

Roy Kinney—Roy is younger than the other boys, but he is often allowed to play with them. Roy tends to be upset if he does not get his way, and he does not lose well. Sometimes Charlie and Aaron keep things from Roy because he cannot keep things from Jackie.

Coleman Hardin—Coleman is Charlie’s father. He works as a juvenile officer during the day. He expects a lot from Charlie and worries about his safety and daredevil behavior.

Willa Hardin—Willa is Charlie’s mother. She looks after Charlie and Lint and worries about Charlie’s daredevil behavior even more than Charlie’s father. She also does not like having Lint in the house.

Lint—Lint is Charlie’s dog and an important character in the story. Lint tries to go everywhere with Charlie, and Charlie loves Lint. Lint also feels protective of Charlie and the boys.

Martin Fischer—Martin is Aaron’s father. He is a lawyer and wants big things for his son and expects his son to get good grades.

Sue Ann Kinney—Sue Ann is Roy’s sister. She is older and knows how to get Roy and his friends to behave. Charlie also may have a slight crush on her.

Principal Frost—Mr. Frost is the principal at the boys’ school. He understands that the boys are overall good children, but he does have to hold them accountable for their horseplay at times.

Cade Bridger—Cade is a drunk and a criminal. He works with another man trying to create counterfeit bills, but he is not very good at it. He spends most of his time in a house most of the boys think is haunted.

Dom Pinero—Dom runs the counterfeit operation. He knows that the counterfeit money will contribute to a larger plan involving the Nazis, but he does not care. He tries to keep Cade sober enough to work.

Gene Carpenter—Gene Carpenter is a boy a little older than Charlie. Charlie’s parents feel that Charlie and Gene should play together more because Gene would be a good influence on Charlie. In reality, Gene lives a darker life that includes activities such as stealing and lying on a scale Charlie would not consider okay.

Mr. Yansen (“The Dane”)—He is the owner of the Ice House store. He is not in the country legally, and this causes him to pause before telling the police about the counterfeit money.

Cotton Redmon—Cotton is a police lieutenant and friend of Charlie’s father. He is investigating the counterfeit money.


Guide to Part 1—chapters 1-4


Prepare to Read . . .


Chapter Summaries:


Quiz / Reading Comprehension Questions:

  1. When playing WWII, why does Aaron spin and clutch at his breast?
    1. He felt ill.
    2. He pretended a Nazi shot him.
    3. He tripped.
    4. He was hit with a rock.
  2. Where had Charlie found a pinecone?
    1. In a pine tree.
    2. In the trash.
    3. In a box at school.
    4. In his mother’s Christmas decorations.
  3. What had Charlie forgotten to do in the beginning of Chapter 2?
    1. Make his bed.
    2. Put away his toys.
    3. Haul wood.
    4. Put away his clothes.
  4. How does Charlie let Aaron know he is nearby?
    1. Calling his name.
    2. Knocking on the door.
    3. Making a strange insect-like sound.
    4. Blowing a whistle.
  5. How did Jackie get his eggs?
    1. His grandmother gave them to him.
    2. He stole them.
    3. He bought them.
    4. He didn’t have any eggs.
  6. How did the annual egg war start?
    1. Aaron threw an egg at Charlie.
    2. Charlie threw an egg at Jackie.
    3. Jackie threw an egg at Roy.
    4. Roy threw an egg at Aaron.


Answers:

  1. b
  2. d
  3. c
  4. c
  5. b
  6. a


Suggestions for Reflection and Discussion Questions:

  1. In Chapter One, the narrator writes, “Stamina and planning were the strengths of Captain Hardin.” What does that say about Charlie’s character? What kind of activity do you expect from Charlie if this is true?
  2. What about Roy made him good material for playing a Japanese spy or Italian soldier?
  3. Why do you think Charlie’s dad said, “All bullies are cowards, son”? How does this apply to the story? Can you find another example?
  4. Why would it upset Charlie’s dad if Charlie’s mother corrected him in front of Charlie? How does the narrator explain this behavior? Does this make sense to you?
  5. Why does Charlie Hardin view Aaron’s family’s Sabbath tradition as “mysterious habits”? What seems mysterious? Charlie does not mind that Aaron is Jewish, but why do others?
  6. How did Charlie trick Roy into trying the recently discovered jam first? Why didn’t Charlie want to try it first?
  7. Why was it a mistake to bring the egg war to school? What similar games today should also be avoided during school hours? Why? Do you think the boys deserved the punishment set by Mr. Frost? Explain your answer.
  8. Aaron and Charlie have a system devised to skirt the truth with their parents. Do you believe what they do is honest? Explain your reasoning.


Suggested Activities / Inquiry-Based Exploration:

  1. The author writes in the preface that this book is, in part, homage to Mark Twain’s books like Tom Sawyer. Read more about Tom Sawyer at sites such as this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Tom_Sawyer. How does Tom Sawyer compare to Charlie Hardin and his friends?
  2. The narrator calls Jackie Rhett “social Darwinism in the raw.” What is social Darwinism? How does it apply to Jackie? Do you agree with the narrator?
  3. Charlie loves Flash Gordon. Research some of the other comic book heroes and other superheroes during World War Two at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Comic_Books or http://jessnevins.com/encyclopedia/characterlist.html. What do some of the heroes or villains have in common? Which ones remain popular today, and how have they changed?
  4. Charlie and Aaron go on “bottle runs” when they are low on cash. They are recycling glass for money. Research recycling opportunities in your area. How can you recycle and where would you turn things in?


Guide to Part 2—Chapters 5-9


Prepare to Read . . .


Chapter Summaries:


Quiz / Reading Comprehension Questions:

  1. How much is Charlie’s weekly allowance?
    1. A dollar.
    2. A dime.
    3. A quarter.
    4. A nickel.
  2. Why does Charlie likely blame Aaron for the broken clippers?
    1. Charlie thinks he broke them.
    2. Charlie wants Aaron to help share the blame.
    3. Charlie wants Aaron to pay for them.
    4. Charlie thinks he can trick Aaron into thinking he broke them.
  3. How did Charlie plan to replace his mother’s clippers?
    1. With a stolen set.
    2. With coins from the pond.
    3. With money from Aaron.
    4. With bottle money.
  4. Where do they hide their money?
    1. At school.
    2. In Charlie’s garage.
    3. In Aaron’s room.
    4. Under cracked cement.
  5. Besides the rose clippers, what else do the boys buy?
    1. Books.
    2. Crayons.
    3. Wood.
    4. Marbles.
  6. How did Pinero and Bridger meet?
    1. At the races.
    2. In jail.
    3. At a dogfight.
    4. At a bar.
  7. What does it mean that Jackie found things before people lost them?
    1. He stole them.
    2. He observed people carefully.
    3. He helped people.
    4. He pointed out when people left things behind.
  8. What makes a dogapult different from a catapult?
    1. The dogapult is for dogs.
    2. The dogapult is bigger.
    3. The dogapult has wheels.
    4. The dogapult has spikes.
  9. What do the boys want to do with their dogapult?
    1. Sell it to a toy store.
    2. Sell it to the military.
    3. Take it to school.
    4. Take it to the park for more tries.


Answers:

  1. c
  2. b
  3. b
  4. d
  5. d
  6. c
  7. a
  8. b
  9. b


Suggestions for Reflection and Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did Charlie have to run and hide behind a couple in the park? Do you think he was in any real danger? Why or why not?
  2. Why would men throwing coins in the pond impress women? What in recent years would make coins too valuable to throw?
  3. Aaron believes they stole the money, but Charlie feels he found it. Who is right? Why?
  4. Charlie sees a hole busted in the pipe and believes someone should fix it. What kinds of problems might occur if the hole remains in the pipe?
  5. The narrator writes in Chapter 6 that any house that is unkempt and empty seems haunted to young boys. Why? Do you agree? Why or why not?
  6. How does Jackie know that Charlie and Aaron have money?
  7. Why was Aaron disappointed in Charlie’s model? How do Aaron’s model and Charlie’s model each show aspects of the boys’ personalities?
  8. The narrator writes in Chapter 9, “It may be enough to note that to get anything done in this world, the Charlies benefit from the Aarons and the Aarons need their Charlies.” What does that mean? Can you think of any real life examples?


Suggested Activities / Inquiry-Based Exploration:

  1. Explore downtown Austin in the 1940s by looking at maps here: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/austin_maps.html. Try to trace the exploits of Charlie, Aaron and the other boys. How far do they travel in a day? What did downtown look like?
  2. Look up the legend of the elephant’s graveyard. How does it apply to the pennies in the pond? What other expressions involve animals (like "crocodile tears"), and how true are they?
  3. Pinero knows that counterfeit money has to look real to be believed to be legitimate. The government tries a variety of measures to keep our currency safe. What kinds of elements go into our money today to keep it safe from easy counterfeiting? Learn more at: http://www.moneyfactory.gov/anticounterfeiting/securityfeatures.html.
  4. As the narrator notes, rubber was in short supply. Read about other shortages at http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1674.html and see some of the solutions we still keep around today. What kinds of shortages do we have now? How do we try to come up with replacements?


Guide to Part 3—Chapters 10-14


Prepare to Read . . .


Chapter Summaries:


Quiz / Reading Comprehension Questions:

  1. What does Jackie do when he realizes Aaron and Charlie have marbles?
    1. He steals them.
    2. He buys them.
    3. He proposes a tournament.
    4. He creates a new game.
  2. What was important about the old egg Roy threw?
    1. It was yellow.
    2. It was uncooked.
    3. It had a misspelled word on it.
    4. It was not a real egg.
  3. Who did Jackie blame for the egg?
    1. Aaron.
    2. Roy.
    3. Charlie.
    4. Himself.
  4. What will Aaron receive from his parents if he is on the honor roll?
    1. A raise in his allowance.
    2. A bicycle.
    3. A new wagon.
    4. A dog.
  5. Why does Gene want to get rid of the water?
    1. He is afraid of water.
    2. He wants to collect golf balls.
    3. He wants to collect coins.
    4. He is trying to cross a creek.
  6. Why did Gene perk up when Charlie said he didn’t want any golf balls?
    1. Because Charlie said he’d come back.
    2. Because Charlie said Gene was smart.
    3. Because Charlie said Gene had earned them.
    4. Because Charlie said he didn’t like golf.
  7. What caused Jackie to get hit with a belt?
    1. He set a flame onto couples making out.
    2. He stole candy from the store.
    3. He got caught cheating a marbles.
    4. He lied about falling out of the tree.
  8. Why was Bridger paying close attention to Pinero?
    1. He hoped to steal some of the fake money.
    2. He hoped Pinero would give him more responsibility.
    3. He hoped to be left alone more quickly so he could drink.
    4. He hoped Pinero would give him some time off if he learned quickly.
  9. Where did Bridger throw away the money with mistakes?
    1. In the trash.
    2. In the fire.
    3. In the drain.
    4. In the toilet.
  10. What did Aaron suggest Roy write on the tire before sending it down?
    1. Roy’s name.
    2. Jackie’s name.
    3. Aaron’s name.
    4. Charlie’s name.
  11. What does Charlie find in the drain that he does not expect?
    1. A rat.
    2. His marbles.
    3. A dollar bill.
    4. A shoe.


Answers

  1. a
  2. b
  3. c
  4. b
  5. b
  6. a
  7. d
  8. a
  9. c
  10. b
  11. c


Suggestions for Reflection and Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did Aaron dread having to tell Charlie about the bicycle? How would this change their friendship?
  2. Why did Pinero consider the kerosene spill a good thing?
  3. Pinero and Bridger have different motivations for making this money. Why does each man want to make fake money? How can their different motivations cause trouble between them in the future?
  4. There are two sides to Gene Carpenter. How do parents see him? What does Charlie learn about him? How can Gene keep adults fooled?
  5. How can a game of tag help Charlie and Gene “size each other up”?
  6. Why is the cat called Peeve?
  7. Why did Charlie decide he did not want to visit Gene again?
  8. Why do they consider Roy a “sympathy sponge”?
  9. By now, Charlie has said, “It’s up to Charlie Hardin” more than once. What does it mean when he says that?
  10. When Charlie and Aaron see the press, they think they are seeing a bank. Why? What do they know about banks?
  11. Why did Aaron remove the battery?


Suggested Activities / Inquiry-Based Exploration:

  1. Explore how a letterpress works at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterpress_printing. Based on your research, does a letterpress seem like something Bridger would be capable of working alone? Why or why not?
  2. Which government agency is responsible for keeping our money safe?
  3. Read about Operation Bernhard, a real life Nazi plan to counterfeit money at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/8029844/Nazi-fake-banknote-part-of-plan-to-ruin-British-economy.html. How could creating fake money help the Nazis win the war? What would be the equivalent today since so much of our money is electronic?
  4. Look up cicadas. What makes them unique? What sound do they make? What about cicadas would annoy Charlie?
  5. Have you noticed how little supervision Charlie and his friends have? Do parents watch their children too closely? Read this article at: http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/03/hey-parents-leave-those-kids-alone/358631/ and decide whether or not you think kids are overprotected these days. Use evidence from the story to support your opinion.


Guide to Part 4—Chapters 15-21


Prepare to Read . . .


Chapter Summaries:


Quiz / Reading Comprehension Questions:

  1. Why does Aaron call Charlie the play-money expert?
    1. He thinks Charlie has seen more money.
    2. He thinks Charlie put the money there.
    3. He thinks Charlie has played more games.
    4. He thinks Charlie knows more about crime.
  2. Why did Charlie leave in the night to move the stash?
    1. He was afraid Aaron would steal it.
    2. He was afraid Roy would steal it.
    3. He was afraid Jackie would steal it.
    4. He was afraid Bridger would find it.
  3. Why does Charlie’s mother think he has a fever?
    1. He is hot.
    2. He is asleep late in the morning.
    3. He is unable to get up.
    4. He is in pain.
  4. How does Charlie ensure the other boys don’t want to follow him?
    1. He says he is going to do chores.
    2. He says he is going to do homework.
    3. He says he is going to take a bath.
    4. He says he is going to paste stamps.
  5. What job does Bridger have during the day?
    1. Working in fast food.
    2. Working at a grocery store.
    3. Working digging ditches.
    4. Working in a bar.
  6. Why was the store owner surprised by the fake money Aaron and Charlie had?
    1. Charlie and Aaron were good boys.
    2. He had never seen fake money before.
    3. Charlie and Aaron had never been there before.
    4. He thought the money was real.
  7. What sound could Lint alone distinguish?
    1. Charlie’s dad’s cough.
    2. Charlie’s dad’s car.
    3. Charlie’s dad’s whistle.
    4. Charlie’s dad’s singing.
  8. What did Jackie use to light his way?
    1. A flashlight.
    2. A lantern.
    3. A book of matches.
    4. A candle.
  9. Why was Jackie’s grandmother worried?
    1. He stole the fake money.
    2. He was injured.
    3. He had too many marbles.
    4. He didn’t come home on time.
  10. Who finds Jackie first?
    1. Charlie.
    2. Aaron.
    3. Charlie’s father.
    4. Lint.
  11. How did Cotton enter the house?
    1. He knocked.
    2. He tore an already ripped screen.
    3. He kicked a door down.
    4. He yelled for someone to open the door.
  12. What did Pinero take with him out of the house?
    1. Bridger.
    2. Money.
    3. Engraving plates.
    4. His suitcase.
  13. How did Bridger try to escape?
    1. By foot.
    2. Through the drain.
    3. By pretending to be dead.
    4. Using Pinero’s van.
  14. What does Charlie tell his mother he’s been doing?
    1. Saving Jackie.
    2. Sleeping.
    3. Looking for Lint.
    4. Climbing trees.


Answers

  1. b
  2. c
  3. b
  4. d
  5. c
  6. a
  7. b
  8. c
  9. d
  10. d
  11. b
  12. c
  13. d
  14. c


Suggestions for Reflection and Discussion Questions:

  1. Aaron and Charlie have different opinions about the money. What does each believe? Why?
  2. Why do Charlie and Aaron believe the best option to test the money is to knock on the door of the “bank?”
  3. What did Roy do when he was alone, and why would it be considered “troubling?” How does it change Charlie’s actions?
  4. How did Charlie end up caught in the tree for the night, and how did he get down?
  5. Why did Charlie’s mother blame herself for Charlie getting into bed dirty?
  6. What did Aaron learn from his trip to the bank?
  7. Bridger does not answer the door, but he does overhear Charlie and Aaron speaking. Who do you think was Boy One and who was Boy Two? Why do you think so?
  8. How did the Ice House stay relevant as the town grew?
  9. Why was Lint growling at Bridger?
  10. The store owner gives valid reasons for calling the police and for not calling. What are his reasons? What do you think he will do and why?
  11. What did Charlie tell Jackie? Why did he tell him what he did? What did that cause Jackie to do?
  12. Why does Charlie’s father feel the counterfeit case and Jackie’s disappearance may be linked?
  13. Why does Charlie feel both his dad and Jackie need him? Why does Aaron feel Charlie should not be left alone?
  14. Why does Aaron think the hero business isn’t fun anymore?
  15. How much does Charlie tell his father?


Suggested Activities / Inquiry-Based Exploration:

  1. The boys learn that money looks different when it comes from different countries. Research how different countries create their money. How do they decide what to put on their money?
  2. Charlie and his father like to listen to radio programs. What were some popular radio shows in the 1940s? Are they familiar to you today? If you were going to create a radio show, how would it be different than a television show? What would you leave out? What would you add more of?
  3. Charlie did not realize that not all police experience can be how it seems on his radio shows. What about today? How do shows like CSI change how we view police work? Is any of it realistic? Interview a police officer and get a current perspective.
  4. Aaron and Charlie decide hero work may not be for them. Investigate real-life heroes. How hard is their work? How risky is their work? Do you arrive at the same conclusion?


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