Bibliographic Information:
Avi. (1990). The true confessions of Charlotte Doyle. New York: Orchard Books.
Readability Level: 5.0
Audience Level: Grades 5-7
Suggested Delivery: Independent or group read
Summary: "A breathtaking seafaring adventure, set in 1832. Charlotte Doyle, 13, returning from school in England to join her family in Rhode Island, is deposited on a seedy ship with a ruthless, mad captain and a mutinous crew. Refusing to heed warnings about Captain Jaggery's brutality, Charlotte seeks his guidance and approval only to become his victim, a pariah to the entire crew, and a convicted felon for the murder of the first mate. There is no doubt that she will survive, however, for the telling is all hers, masterfully related in a voice that perfectly suits the period and the heroine. At first, Charlotte exudes the haughty self-confidence and the need for propriety that only those of privilege and wealth can pull off, yet she also exhibits the naivete of an adolescent taught to respect and not question her elders--as long as they are of her class. As she sees the insane captain for what he is, she switches allegiances--thus endangering her life--and becomes part of the crew, passing their rugged tests and proving that she can become as adept as any of them. Her changing views and personality from a prim and proper pain to respected friend and mate are aptly reflected in her narrative, and the point of view gives Avi excellent opportunities for some fine foreshadowing. The irony at the end--that indeed her beloved papa is very much like the captain, tyrannical and unyielding--will leave readers agape, and they will sigh with relief when she deserts her very rigid family and returns home--to the ship. A sensuous novel, evoking the sights, sounds, and smells of the ship and the sea; the moods of captain and crew; the terror and bloodshed caused by the captain; and the nature of friendship and loyalty."
--Trev Jones, School Lib. Journal
Avi. (1990). The true confessions of Charlotte Doyle. New York: Orchard Books.
Readability Level: 5.0
Audience Level: Grades 5-7
Suggested Delivery: Independent or group read
Summary: "A breathtaking seafaring adventure, set in 1832. Charlotte Doyle, 13, returning from school in England to join her family in Rhode Island, is deposited on a seedy ship with a ruthless, mad captain and a mutinous crew. Refusing to heed warnings about Captain Jaggery's brutality, Charlotte seeks his guidance and approval only to become his victim, a pariah to the entire crew, and a convicted felon for the murder of the first mate. There is no doubt that she will survive, however, for the telling is all hers, masterfully related in a voice that perfectly suits the period and the heroine. At first, Charlotte exudes the haughty self-confidence and the need for propriety that only those of privilege and wealth can pull off, yet she also exhibits the naivete of an adolescent taught to respect and not question her elders--as long as they are of her class. As she sees the insane captain for what he is, she switches allegiances--thus endangering her life--and becomes part of the crew, passing their rugged tests and proving that she can become as adept as any of them. Her changing views and personality from a prim and proper pain to respected friend and mate are aptly reflected in her narrative, and the point of view gives Avi excellent opportunities for some fine foreshadowing. The irony at the end--that indeed her beloved papa is very much like the captain, tyrannical and unyielding--will leave readers agape, and they will sigh with relief when she deserts her very rigid family and returns home--to the ship. A sensuous novel, evoking the sights, sounds, and smells of the ship and the sea; the moods of captain and crew; the terror and bloodshed caused by the captain; and the nature of friendship and loyalty."
--Trev Jones, School Lib. Journal
Curriculum Connections:
Taken from Novel Ties
Taken from Novel Ties
- Work with a small group of your classmates to determine how Avi, the author of this book, made the book exciting and suspenseful. Give each group member the task of finding exciting segments or passages within specified chapters. Come together as a group to compare and discuss these passages and reach some conclusions about the author's technique for creating suspense. Reach consensus on what you think may be the most exciting part of the book. Compare your response with other groups in your classroom.
- Draw or paint a picture to convey the terror and chaos of the hurricane. Or choose another scene to express an exciting moment in the story. How did you feel during this part of the story? Were you worried about Charlotte?
- Charlotte was thirteen years old when she first sailed aboard the Seahawk. How old do you think she was when she wrote her true confessions? What do you think happened to her after she returned to sea? Write a short sequel in which you tell about Charlotte's later life.