
The Harlem Charade
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Narrated by:
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Bahni Turpin
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By:
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Natasha Tarpley
About this listen
Chasing Vermeer comes to Harlem in this clever mystery about art, artifice, and the power of community.
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 historical 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.
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Stay
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I’m impressed 😍
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From the Desk of Zoe Washington
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Zoe Washington isn’t sure what to write. What does a girl say to the father she’s never met, hadn’t heard from until his letter arrived on her 12th birthday, and who’s been in prison for a terrible crime? A crime he says he never committed. Could Marcus really be innocent? Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. Even if it means hiding his letters and her investigation from the rest of her family. Everyone else thinks Zoe’s worrying about doing a good job at her bakery internship
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Don't judge based on rumors
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Critic reviews
What listeners say about The Harlem Charade
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- kevin p.
- 03-15-21
very good
litteraly one of the best books i’ve ever had to read.. literally not even joking.
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- Amazoncustomer2442454221
- 08-06-18
Great Book
I really enjoyed this book. I would like to read many more books of the is author.
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1 person found this helpful
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- S. Giesler
- 02-16-22
Good Book
The narrator had good exasperation and had a different voice for each character. Also the book was just good in general.
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-22-20
Simply amazing
the book told us about how little people are invisible but when they shine there deeds is as greater than the sun.
The book told us about how life was and how a helping hand could save people and the city.
There need to make another book like this and when Alex,Jin,and Elvin get older and start a art program.
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- Alejandro vega
- 07-14-20
Diverse cast of boy and girl characters
One of my favorite children's mysteries I've read in a long time. The clues are uncomplicated and the book would lend itself to teaching about the Harlem renaissance and black history. Great book for 5th or 6th graders. I also enjoyed how the boys and girls all worked together without having the typical "first crush" that you see often in middle grade novels.
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- Maria Uribe
- 08-06-18
Emotional
Book is so emotional that I cried once or twice I hope ms tarpley writes more book
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1 person found this helpful
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- M. Browne
- 01-30-19
Great story!
Great story with plenty of twists and turns. Powerful message of unity and history worth loving and cheering. I will agree with one of the reviewers who talked about the kids lying. That would be my only fault.
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