The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

This is one of my all time favorite books to read aloud to my class of 5th graders. We enjoy the suspense and the descriptive writing of Avi. It is enjoyable for both girls and boys alike.

If you are a fan of this novel, it is well known that you have a huge capacity of inner feeling(similar to that of Charlotte). I am twelve and I am a person of such nature. If you hated this book, it is likely that you are a modern, go-along with the crowd type of person that cherishes technology more than anything else. People such as I and fans of this extravagent novel understand Charlotte Doyle and quite honor books like this. In fifth grade, my teacher read this story aloud to the classroom. I believed almost every soul present was hooked on it, but it turns out that I was wrong. For,once when the story ended the magic was gone. I was the only one who ever spoke of it. I was craving for a sequal(most sequels never are as brilliant and popular as the origanionals and classics), and at the same time craving the origanal to be my own. So I rented it from the library and read it twice again. The same magic entered my mindand absorbed my heart each time. I couldn't get enough of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Then the next time I had a chance to buy a book, without a second thought I hurridly hunted Charlotte down, grabbed her gently(while staring into Charlotte's beautiful eyes!), and stode toward the cash register. I read it all again that evening, same magic appeared once more. And just a couple of weeks ago when I started 7th grade, I read Charlotte Doyle once more. I have read it a total of 5 times in 2.5 years(that two and a half!). Some of you say that it is boring. That may be true, but I believe you are referring to the beginning of the novel. Patience is a virtue. The information is vital later on in the novel. If you read the whole novel through and found naught a single interesting point, no climax or anything at all, THEN I can't explain. I suggest it was because you expected gore, or machine guns, bombs exploding, or a shark attack. Allow me to remind you of the setting-1832-not the 21st century! As for the author, Avi has written many excellect novels, and has earned a reputation for high standards. I find it absolutely amazing how he captured a perfect mind of a girl like me! Not a girl from the 21st century. No, not a girl that by the age of 7 is thinking about how 'hot' the boy in her class is, or how to cuss and get her parents upset. No, not the girl that thinks of stuff like being a slut. Wathing R movies and getting into 'relationships'. I find that sort of behavior quite appalling. I'm talking about a REAL girl with hopes and Dreams and following her senses, being brave, and listening to what her heart desires. If you loved this novel it may be true that you are a 'young soul of justice' yourself!!! ABOUT THE BOOK! Charlotte Doyle, a girl by the age of thirteen, lives in England and goes to the Barrington School for Better Girls. Her father, mother, younger sister and younger brother live in Providince, Rhode Island. Charlotte is to sail on the Seahawk(a brig, also known as a two masted ship) on a voyag

When I read on the cover of this book, "A spellbinding tale of intrigue and murder on the high seas", I knew I had to try it out. And I must say, the book delivers a truly wonderful tale worthy of the Newbery Honor it received. It is the year 1832 and thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is being summoned by her family to return to America. But what they don't know is that he two families who were to accompany Charlotte have suddenly decided not to go! Before she knows it, Charlotte is the lone lady passenger on board the 'Seahawk'. Though Captain Jaggery seems to be the only gentleman among the rough crew, Charlotte discovers that all is not what is seems. When she befriends the old cook Zachariah, she finds out that something is about to happen, something she never dreams would happen! Throughout the deadly voyage on the high seas, Charlotte will be tested in her courage, find out her true loyalties, and discover is she has the will to survive!A truly amazing and thrilling tale, "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" will not disappoint. It starts off a bit slow I must confess for me but my feelings for the book changed almost immediately. A definite must-read for all young adults. Charlotte Doyle is such a remarkable character that you can't help but relate to her. In the beginning I was a bit startled by her actions of being 'the young lady' and how she must act the part. But soon I began to cheer her on as she began to really open her eyes to the situation growing around her.Avi is truly a wonderful author and has proven the range of talent he/she has. I mean, I have had the book "Romeo and Juliet - Together (and Alive!) At Last", which is a totally hilarious book! I just laugh every time I read the book. But in "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle", there is a sort of classic novel feel to it. If you liked this book or enjoy reading funny stories, don't miss "Romeo and Juliet - Together (and Alive!) At Last".

I am 15 now and I still cannot get this novel out of my head, which I read many years ago as a pre-teen. So browsing around I decide to share my views on it The book beginnings with Charlotte Doyle, a 13 year old girl, rich upbringing, obviously what people must have saw in 1832 as a "fragile", "breakable", "untouchable" image. Alone, boarding a ship bound for America to return to her parents, slowly Charlotte begans to become involved--more than she wants to--with the crew and captain of the ship. This proves to be a dangerous situation for the crew begans to reveal their undeniable loathing for the captain and vice versa. Charlotte, over the coarse of the novel finding in herself a rebel and a much stronger individual than she knew, holds a close bond to the cook of the ship, an old, black man which I found somewhat of a bibilcal take on a character, Zachariah. As time passes she seems torn in deciding who on the ship to side with--the captain, a respectable man to her father, or the crew in which she is left alone with aboard the ship. This book is very much complex I found for a chidren's story: twists taking place and at last in a uproar of confusing and guilt from these twists, Charlotte ends up leaving behind her prior status and joins the crew, working as one of them. The twists and ventures Charlotte experiences do not stop there. Murders, secrets revealed, adventure on the high sea, everything. This book as some say, may start of slow, but by the end it's very engrossing, leaving you statified, but yet not wanting it to stop! Truly this is a tale of strength and what better way to show through, like I mentioned, a young girl in that age. I didn't not find this novel disturbing because it is unbelieveable, as I heard. In fact because of the rare circumstances, I found it more enjoyable. After all who knows what could have happened and what could not? Those make the best tales. This is also a book of courage to leave the past and old world you thought you may have been better suited for behind. You can very much connect to Charlotte, her feelings, thanks to the writting of this novel by Avi. Perhaps I am going on a bit too much being it's only a children's novel, but it's very compelling, I thought and it's one I will never forget.

The year is 1832. Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is instructed by her family to travel from Liverpool, England to Providence, Rhode Island on board the Seahawk. Despite the warnings that Charlotte receives against boarding the ship, she does not wish to contradict her father (she is, after all, a young lady). Once aboard, Charlotte is horrified to find herself the only lady on the entire ship! Nevertheless, she quickly befriends both the highly refined Captain Jaggery and the old cook, Zachariah (tattered and crude in appearance, yet kind and gentle). After witnessing the captain's brutal behavior towards the crew, however, Charlotte joins the men in a revolt against him. The story continues as Charlotte and the crew brave a raging storm, fight the captain once again, and finally dock in Providence. At the end of the story, Charlotte must make a hard decision regarding her plans for the future (of course, I will not disclose her answer). Rarely does a book appeal to people of different ages, genders, and interests, but it is safe to say that this is one of them. When my sixth grade class read this book, I anticipated a boring and uneventful story ahead. I am now thankful that we read it, for it has become one of my all-time favorite novels. I highly recommend "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" to anyone looking for a book unlike any other...a book that has it all: adventure, suspense, mystery, and a riveting plot suitable for absolutely anybody.