True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Avi. (1990) The true confessions of Charlotte Doyle. New York: Orchard Books. ISBN: 0531084930

Plot Summary: Charlotte Doyle is a thirteen-year-old girl who is about to embark on a ship with a crew of all men. Although her father ordered her to ride the Seahawk with two other families, the plans fell through and Charlotte was left with no other choice but to take the three-month voyage alone. Zachariah, the kind and friendly Black cook, warns her to not aboard the ship. After deciding to not go against her father’s orders, Zachariah gives her a dagger for protection. After several days at sea, she soon finds out the crew’s plans to murder Captain Andrew Jaggery. Since the captain in an employee of her father, she feels he is the only person to be trusted. Eventually, the captain reveals his true nature and uses Charlotte as a scapegoat. Throughout the story, Charlotte takes on the role of a crewmember to help relieve the workload on the other men. She experiences an incredibly rough time at sea and is eventually charged with murder. Find out how she gets herself into such a situation.

Critical Evaluation: This book has been one of the best books I have read for the genre study. The author eloquently constructs a story that will have readers enthralled. The author has an amazing way of getting into the head of Charlotte Doyle that I found myself conversing with her in my mind. When she decided to get onto the ship, the author does a great job at foreshadowing the dangerous events. But at the same time, the story is not at all predictable. The person that everyone thinks is going to die is actually the person that accuses Charlotte of being a murderer. Charlotte’s character is a bit rigid when she first boards the ship. But throughout the story, she grows into a woman of strength, bravery, and loyalty.

Information about the Author: Avi was born in New York and currently lives in Denver, Colorado. He has written over several dozens of books for children and young adults. He has won the Newbery Medal for his book Crispin and has also won awards for several other books.

Annotation: When Charlotte Doyle boards a ship without her family, she soon realizes the intentions of the crew to kill the captain and experiences an adventure of a lifetime.

Genre: Travel and adventure

Curriculum Ties: sailing and ships

Booktalking Ideas: The librarian can introduce the topic of sailing. Have teens imagine what it would be like to be at sea for three months on a ship with strangers who are planning a murder.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: : none

Reason for Inclusion: Avi is an amazing author who has won several awards which include the Newbery Medal, Scott O’Dell Award, Christopher Award, and several others. The story itself is a great travel adventure that will have readers enticed from start to finish.