Charlie Apple is a fast paced and exciting book about, Georgie, a timid boy that has fallen behind in school. He was retained in the fifth grade and regularly hears catcalls from the others making fun of his difficulties. Georgie is the butt of the fifth grade jokes and he is regularly bullied by others. His father, David, a well-known computer expert, decides to buy Georgie an upgraded personal computer to try to help his son with his difficulties in school as well as build his self-confidence. Georgie’s mother, Karen, thinks the computer is a waste of time and money and what he really needs is therapy, this causes family problems.