When I was about 12 or 13 years old I read this book. Before this book, I had read all other required material but was not a passionate or avid reader. After this book I have a passion for reading and literature that is very strong. I love the adventure and the imaginative dreams that follow such an adventure. There are so many books that my mind is open up to now, and I really cannot imagine the idea of not loving to read.If you have a pre-teen girl, that does not like to read currently... I strongly suggest you get her this book. It opened millions of doors for me, and I just really hope it would for her as well.This book is about a heroine of outstanding strength and moral character. She teaches and shows that you are capable if you try. ( )

alright but not great. ( )

This is an amazing book that I would recommend to everyone!! ( )

Avi is a master author, because he can write so many books in different genres. This story has a strong female main character, but has a large supporting cast of pirate/seaman ruffians all children will enjoy. This novel is about a girl traveling alone on a merchant ship back to the Americas alone. Shortly into the voyage, a mutiny breaks out on board that changes Charlotte's life forever. The only part of this book that sometimes gets tedious is the amount of 'ship' jargon most YA are not familiar with. There are diagrams in the back that are fairly explicit, but a lot of children don't stop reading to turn back 100 pages to look up a word. However, the techincal jargon does add a certain authenticity to the tale. An engaging story for any child! Avi once again, proves to be a master! ( )

“Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty.” -From inside cover.

For the first time since she was six, 13 year old Charlotte is returning to her home in Providence, Rhode Island. It is June 16, 1832 and Charlotte Doyle has just finished her school year at the Barrington School for Better Girls. Her parents and siblings have already made the crossing from England to America, leaving Charlotte to finish her school year, then follow on a ship owned by her father's company. As with most stories, the journey home is more interesting than the destination. Once on board, Charlotte finds herself in a world she has not been equipped to live in, and must make her own rules for survival. Making both friends and enemies, Charlotte struggles with what it means to be a lady in a world of men, what it takes to be just and fair, and learns just how deep loyalties and hatred can run in a person.

The first chapters of the book were hard for me to get into, but by chapter three I was hooked. Knowing from the descriptions that Charlotte would be accused of murder kept me reading to find out how it happened. At times the language was a little stilted, but like the plot, it only took a chapter or two to get into. There is a mystery subplot, as the reader tries to figure out when and how Charlotte will be accused, who will be murdered and why. The story felt historically accurate and entirely believable even through the more “unbelievable” situations. In the beginning of the novel, Charlotte is very much a pampered, sheltered, well-off, 13 year old who associates nice clothing and belongings with nice people. By the end, she has grown up and discovered that you can't always “judge a book by it's cover.” I love how young she is at the start of the novel, and also the order in which she realizes things and finally comes to her grand conclusion. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, England, ships, mystery, adventure and/or strong willed young girls.