The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly
The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly
By Rebecca K.S. Ansari
Charlie O’Reilly is an only child. Which is why it makes everyone uncomfortable when he talks about his brother.
Liam. His little brother, who, up until a year ago, slept in the bunk above Charlie, took pride in being as annoying as possible, and was the only person who could make Charlie laugh until it hurt. Then came the morning when Liam disappeared forever. No one even remembers him—not Charlie’s mother, who has been battling depression; and not Charlie’s father, who is often gone on business trips. The only person who believes Charlie is his best friend, Ana; even if she has no memory of Liam, she is as determined as Charlie is to solve the mystery of his missing brother.
The search seems hopeless . . . until Charlie finds a mysterious note, unmistakably written in Liam’s handwriting. And if he and Ana are going to figure out what happened to Liam, they have no choice but to follow its instructions—even if doing so could mean that they, too, might disappear, unremembered, forever.
Rebecca K. S. Ansari’s debut is a stunning contemporary fantasy about love, loss, and the power to forgive that we carry inside ourselves—even if we forget that it’s there.
-
“Readers will bite their nails and cheer for Charlie and his friends every step of the way. A nuanced villain adds depth and complexity to the story, and plot turns abound, both delightful and heartbreaking. An original premise, tear-jerker twists, and a touching message about forgiveness.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Ansari trusts her audience with a complex narrative that traverses the breadth of time and the depths of self. The weave of guilt, family struggle, and forgiveness both complicates and complements questions of love and self-acceptance. Plot twists that’ll turn even veteran readers’ heads” — Kirkus Reviews
“This gripping debut delivers a powerful message.” — ALA Booklist
“As puzzle pieces click into place, The Missing Piece of Charlie O’Reilly reveals that it’s stories—and family—that make us whole. A deeply satisfying and beautiful book.” — Elana K. Arnold, National Book Award finalist and author of The Question of Miracles
“This is a rich, unique, heart-wrenching book, crammed with layers of meaning and mystery.” — Jacqueline West, New York Times bestselling author of The Collectors
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rebecca K.S. Ansari is a former emergency room doctor. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, four sons, and some seriously massive pets. You can visit her online at www.rebeccaansari.com