The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (rpkg) (Paperback)

by Avi (Author) "Just before dusk in the late afternoon of June 16, 1832, I found myself walking along the crowded docks of Liverpool, England, following a man..." (more)
Key Phrases: top cargo, forecastle deck, royal yard, Miss Doyle, Captain Jaggery, Charlotte Doyle (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this crackling good yarn--a Newbery Honor book--a 13-year-old girl must extricate herself from a perilous position during an 1832 transatlantic voyage. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8. On a long, grueling journey from England to Rhode Island in 1802, a 12 year old changes from a prim and proper girl to a swashbuckling mate of a mutinous crew and is accused of murder by the captain. Awash with shipboard activity, intense feelings, and a keen sense of time and place, the story is a throwback to good old-fashioned adventure yarns on the high seas.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Other Printing edition (August 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380728850
• ISBN-13: 978-0380728855
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (417 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 3rd favourite novel;one of Avi's greatest, September 7, 2005

By	Chelsea Churro "#1 Peacekeeper" (My Scene & Bratz) - See all my reviews

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 voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to live with her family.
Charlotte's father has several reasons leading up to the positiveness of this voyage. First, Charlotte will be losing no school, due to the fact that it is summer break and this voyage will occupy an assuming 2 months. Second, the Seahawk is owned by her father's company, and is operated under her father's firm. The fourth reason is the captain of the seahawk has earned a reputation for profitabe crossings across the Atlantic Ocean. The final reason is two other families known by her father have also booked for this passage, and are to accompany Charlotte.
Theres a large beautiful boat, jolly sailors,no school, and companions of her age!
The only possible thing that can dampen this voyage, the rain on Charlotte's parade, is a journal that Charlotte was instructed by her father to write in every day of her voyage.There are no other interruptions in Charlotte's soon-to-be fantastic journey. And what harm can a journal be?
It turns out that during this journey, Charlotte's happiness is not the only thing held in jeopardy-her life is, too! Will Charlotte's strong will to survive and make the best of her current position prevail? Or will life's hard lessons drive Charlotte out of her mind?
This is my first time to write a review of a book, so please write back if I have not met up to the standard expectations. And please read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Avi is among the most adored authors of present day!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling adventure on the high seas..., June 26, 2000

By	Elana (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (Paperback)

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.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book was great, I loved it, September 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (Turtleback)

I have just read the book "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" by Avi. This book was both an adventure novel and a mystery. There are three main characters in this book; Charlotte, Captain Jaggery, and Mr. Zachariah. Charlotte is thirteen years old. Before she went on her voyage she attended the Barrington School for girls in Liverpool, England. Captain Andrew Jaggery was a brutal captain to his crew. He also befriended Charlotte in the beginning of the story before she accidentally whipped him in the face. Zachariah was the cook on the ship for awhile until he faked death and lived in the steerage. He also became good friends with Charlotte throughout the whole book. The story takes place in 1832, on a ship called the Seahawk that left Liverpool, England and sailed for Providence, Rhode Island. The book was very interesting. It was about a girl, named Charlotte, who had just finished school and was ready to come home. Her parents got her a boat ride so she could get back to Rhode Island. When she got on the ship everyone seemed very nice, until the crew decided to take avenge on the captain. This is where it started getting hectic. Zachariah faked death they found a stowaway and Charlotte decided to become on of the crew. When she was blamed for murder and found guilty, I got scared. Well, if you want to no the ending read the book yourself. Some of my favorite scenes were with Zachariah in the steerage, because they were talking mostly about what was happening in the book and I could understand it more. I Also liked the scenes because Zachariah was my favorite character. The book was exiting. I would rate it an eight out of ten. I think you would like the book if you like adventures and aren't afraid of reading