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The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (by Avi)

common sense media says

Brilliant high-seas adventure is a classic.

parents & educators say
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say there are positive role models
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there is some violence here, some a bit graphic: men are whipped, and killed by knife and gun, and the young heroine is condemned to hang, though she doesn't. The story takes place in a time of racism, sexism, and rigid class distinctions.

Educational value: A strong depiction of 19th-century life and values, and heavily research-based view of sailing ships, sailors, and the trans-Atlantic crossing.
Positive messages: Some racism against a black cook. But otherwise, messages are very positive. Charlotte begins the story with ingrained race, class, and sex role prejudices, but learns better during the course of the book. She makes tremendous sacrifices to stand up for what she believes, and to atone for mistakes she made in ignorance.
Positive role models: Charlotte shakes off the shackles of her proper upbringing to become the person she decides to be, enduring much hardship in the process. She models looking at her own beliefs, outlook, actions, and their consequences objectively, then acting decisively to make real changes in herself and to atone for her mistakes.
Violence: A man is whipped almost to death, another is stabbed to death, and a third is beaten so severely that his arm must be amputated. Later he is shot and killed, graphically described, and his body is tossed overboard. A man strikes another with a belaying pin. A mention of men hanged and crows pecking out their eyes, and the young heroine is condemned to hang, though she doesn't.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A mention of rum.
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More on The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about Charlotte's growth over the course of the book. Why does she see and act the way she does early on? What causes her transformation? Is it believable in the circumstances?
  • Have you, or anyone you've known, ever undergone such a change of viewpoint? Worked hard to atone for mistakes?
  • Is it possible to overcome what you've been taught from birth? How much of ourselves is determined by upbringing, and how much can we decide for ourselves? Can we deliberately change who we are?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Charlotte Doyle is a properly brought up young lady who is traveling from England to rejoin her family in America. Through a series of apparently coincidental, but suspicious, events, she finds herself the lone passenger on a forbidding ship. Initially, Captain Jaggery seems to be a true gentleman and the crew a motley collection of sullen lower-class riffraff. It is only after her snobbishly misguided actions have foiled a justified mutiny and resulted in the deaths of two of the crew that she finally begins to see the truth.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Avi is an old hand at writing fine children's books in several genres, including historical fiction, and here he begins with one of the best opening hooks ever; instead of an Introduction or Author's Note before the first chapter, CHARLOTTE DOYLE begins with An Important Warning. See From the Book below for that warning. From that promising beginning, the author sweeps us into a breathtaking and suspenseful adventure at sea.

The story is satisfying for several reasons. As an action-packed, edge-of-the-seat adventure, it should be appealing even to reluctant readers. It combines an exciting story with thought-provoking consideration of issues, such as bigotry, honor, justice, and the necessity of letting beliefs dictate actions. The characters, major and minor, are complex and unpredictable. And, of all of the genre-bending plot elements here, perhaps none is as enthralling as seeing a young teen girl take on a traditionally male role in the gender-divided 19th century, not by hiding who she is and pretending to be a boy, but by becoming her true self out of conviction and determination.

From the Book:
An Important Warning
Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty. But I was just such a girl, and my story is worth relating even if it did happen years ago. . .If strong ideas and action offend you, read no more. Find another companion to share your idle hours. For my part I intend to tell the truth as I lived it.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Avi
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: September 1, 1990
Number of pages: 224
Hardcover price: $16.95
Paperback price: $5.99
Read Aloud: 9
Read Alone: 10
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say there are positive role models
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

jcm1298
kid, 13 years old
2
 
movie
I heard that there is a movie coming out based on this book, coming out in 2011. I just read the book and I will be seeing the movie when it comes out next year!
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (13)
LECkitty
kid, 11 years old
9
 
An instant classic
Zachariah (the African-American cook) is whipped and forges his death. Jaggery is unkind, rude, cruel, and unfair. Kids will learn the various parts of a ship.
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (8)
undergurl
kid, 12 years old
9
 
I am currently reading it for class in the mini book club. It sounded so good, and it is however my other book clubber woudl do because she read the whole book over night! that book worm!
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (8)
mrapacki
parent of 14 and 15 year old
10
 
Charlotte is a true female role model for young girls.
Excellent female heroine who must endure a ship voyage with many dishonest pirates. I bought this book for my 8 year old daughter as her very first chapter book for her book collection.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (5)
Alisha Hasnain
kid, 12 years old
17
 
ADVENTUROUS
A GREAT book!
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (6)
pixiecute1112
kid, 11 years old
9
 
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)
Jaja2bear
teen, 14 years old
12
 
Not for Teens
I read this book and it freaked me out. I read it only because it was assigned in class and I had to read it. I had nightmares and it was very graphic. Every other page there was either killing or blood.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (5)
sourcecoderocks
kid, 13 years old
10
 
nicely written
I read this book in 5th grade, so if you're in fifth grade (or a mature fourth grader) this book is for you! So I thought this was going to be the dumbest book ever, because it was assigned reading in class. But when I got into it, I was proved wrong. It was beautifully written with many messages throughout. This is a must-read. I rate it ON for 10 and up, PAUSE for 8-9 year olds, and OFF for 7 and under.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
pizzavince
teen, 15 years old
10
 
It's a classic that should be read by all; it's never too late!
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (5)
tealsweety
parent of 14 year old
10
 
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (7)
knowpeace
parent of 8 and 9 year old
7
 
Excellent read for 12 and up!
I picked this book to read aloud to my seven-year-old daughter, and my nine-year-old son ended up listening in and begging me to read more. I loved the book and didn't want to put it down. That being said, I did find that it is pretty violent for younger ages. It isn't overly graphic, but I would strongly caution it for younger ones. Also, there were about a half a dozen mild swear words and using God's name in vain a time or two that I had to skip over as I read aloud. Another parent reviewer cautioned about sexual behavior that isn't age appropriate, but there was absolutely nothing of this kind in the book at all. The captain once kissed Charlotte's gloved hand, and that is truly only thing of that nature in the book.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (5)
cinderash567
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Very Enjoyable
This book was an amazing read! I read is as my classic for summer homework and I was very engaged. There is some violence, but I read right through it. I hope this review helped!
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (6)
kellipetrelli
teen, 14 years old
5
 
LOVE IT
We are reading this in school this year, and i love it! i loved all of it, and i especially loved (SPOILER) Charlotte's change in character. (Not much of a spoiler, but still.)
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (6)
petucker2
teen, 15 years old
6
 
if you dont want to stop reading then read this!!!!!!!!
i loved this book.i was abouteight when i read it but i think it was written with an air of a sense of life.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (6)
imawesome
teen, 14 years old
10
 
a great book i reccomend it
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
LissaNicky
teen, 15 years old
12
 
Okay; not for little kids
I had to read this book in school and I was very suprised by it. It started out very boring and slow but I thought it got pretty exciting during some parts. Not very graphic but very suspenseful; not for little kids.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
sailormattison
kid, 13 years old
8
 
I love this book!
It's a great book to read!
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (5)
swimky
parent of 12 year old
9
 
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)

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