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The Harlem Charade
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
12 posts | 10 read | 11 to read
WATCHER. SHADOW. FUGITIVE. Harlem is home to all kinds of kids. Jin sees life passing her by from the window of her family's bodega. Alex wants to help the needy one shelter at a time, but can't tell anyone who she really is. Elvin's living on Harlem's cold, lonely streets, surviving on his own after his grandfather was mysteriously attacked. When these three strangers join forces to find out what happened to Elvin's grandfather, their digging leads them to an enigmatic artist whose missing masterpieces are worth a fortune-one that might save the neighborhood from development by an ambitious politician who wants to turn it into Harlem World, a ludicrous historic theme park. But if they don't find the paintings soon, nothing in their beloved neighborhood will ever be the same . . . In this remarkable tale of daring and danger, debut novelist Natasha Tarpley explores the way a community defines itself, the power of art to show truth, and what it really means to be home. Praise for The Harlem Charade: * "A story that motivates justice and inspires kindness..." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review "The Harlem Charade links a miltifaceted cast of characters with some of Harlem's thorniest issues, and offers dreams, hope, and plenty of action in the process. Few novels take on the real-life neighborhood issues of gentrification, big money, and the destructive loss of old ways. This book does, and in the process shines a light on the magical and complex history of Harlem and its many brilliant art forms. Tarpley shares Harlem's past and present glory with grace and respect, and in the process offers inspiration to all who would love to see its unique beauty survive." -- Blue Balliett, New York Times bestselling author of Chasing Vermeer Praise for I Love My Hair!: "A very special book about self-acceptance." -- School Library Journal "[A] celebration of African American identity." -- Booklist
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BookInMyHands
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Pickpick

This was a fantastic middle grade book, perfect for fans of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street.

When a crime is committed in their community, three youth are brought together forming an unlikely friendship to not only solve the mystery, but save their community from falling into corrupt hands.

The sense of community in this story is heartwarming, and narrator Bahni Turpin, as always, makes this a performance that shouldn‘t be missed.

Tamra The cover art has the same vibe as Vanderbeekers too. 😃 3y
BookInMyHands @Tamra Yes! Same palette! 3y
39 likes1 stack add2 comments
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ImperfectCJ
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Mehso-so

This is a fun story in places, but the pacing feels off to me. Perhaps this would have been a better one to read in print than as an audiobook.

megnews I listened to it and felt the same. In fact, I stopped listening for a long time. Gave it another shot and finished but I feel the same as you. 3y
ImperfectCJ @megnews Interesting to learn that you had the same experience with it. I listened to it with my son, and he kept saying, "it seems like the author could be using fewer words to tell what's happening in the story." Fewer words isn't always better, but in this case, it felt like it could have been tightened up a bit. 3y
48 likes2 comments
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megnews
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Pickpick

The Harlem Charade is a celebration of art and Harlem past, present, & future with an unlikely group of kids solving a neighborhood mystery and saving the day.

I audiowalked to this twice today and have almost hit my steps. #BFC21

wanderinglynn Great job! 🙌🏻 3y
34 likes1 comment
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JoyBlue
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Pickpick

Chasing Vermeer-alike [middle grades]

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Canndor
Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Finally getting started on my #Booked2019 #Summer books!
I chose this one for Diverse Middle Grade, it was a fun read.
@Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

Cinfhen Looks fun!! Great cover art 5y
13 likes1 comment
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mrp27
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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#litsypartyofone

Bummer that the Rams lost but Snickerdoodles came out delish! Enjoying them with my book.

MrBook Mmmmm! 😋 5y
SassyBookworm Snickerdoodles are my favorite! Yum! 😋 5y
catebutler They look delicious! 😍 5y
See All 6 Comments
LibrarianRyan The loss was Karma for leaving STL. 5y
mrp27 @LibrarianRyan Nah... it was karma for leaving LA in the first place. 🤣 5y
mrp27 @catebutler @SassyBookworm They were! Martha recipes rarely disappoint. 5y
57 likes6 comments
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Eggs
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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A fun YA mystery set in Harlem NY. Three teens form an unlikely collaboration: Jin, Alex and Elvin research (and spy on) a politician, a property developer, a museum curator and several other shady characters. Trying to discover what happened to Elvin's granddad, they uncover secrets from the Harlem Renaissance of the 1960s.

74 likes3 stack adds
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kimberly.burke
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Pickpick

Jin, Alex, and Elvin join forces in Harlem to try and figure out why Elvin's grandfather was attacked, and stumble onto a much bigger mystery. Soon they're collecting clues and learning about a Harlem art movement in the 60s, and trying to save their neighborhood from the gentrifying forces of a local, scheming politician. Fun MG mystery with a spotlight on Black culture and art in mid-century Harlem, as well as the topic of gentrification.

1 like2 stack adds1 comment
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WanderingBookaneer
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Borrowed from library. 😊

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Amie
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Pickpick

Pretty good kids mystery with diverse characters and the mystery involved history, art and community. It reminded me a little of the Chasing Vermeer books by Blue Balliett, but without the puzzles. Bahni Turpin narrates the audio so of course it's good.

23 likes1 stack add
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abbylibrarian
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Mehso-so

I'm not a huge mystery fan, but this one was fun with a great sense of place. It was a little overlong, but I enjoyed the characters. Kids who love mysteries like Chasing Vermeer or The Westing Game would like this, too. #middlegrademay #hammockreading

15 likes1 stack add
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abbylibrarian
The Harlem Charade | Natasha Tarpley
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Gearing up for #middlegrademay ! Read middle grade lit in May and post about it with the hashtag! Let's all get some more middle grade into our reading diets!!

Reviewsbylola That's a very colorful stack of books! 💛💚💙💜 7y
BookInMyHands I'm in! I need to get all of my Oregon Battle of the Books titles read in May. Some of those work for middle grade although some are younger. Great idea! 7y
abbylibrarian @Reviewsbylola Haha yes it is!! 7y
15 likes4 comments