The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
by Avi
On This Page
Description
As the lone "young lady" on a transatlantic voyage in 1832, Charlotte learns that the captain is murderous and the crew rebellious.Tags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L. A. Meyer
Caramellunacy Both of these adventure stories are about a strong girl proving her worth on board a sailing ship. Charlotte shows the crew her mettle despite the fact that she's a girl, and Jacky disguises herself as a boy to escape detection. Both are great stories for those who love nautical stories.
Also recommended by la_librarian
40
Caramellunacy In both, the protagonist sets out to sea and must show great courage to rectify a grievous mistake that exposes themselves and the crew to great danger. Both excellent reads for the nautically-minded.
60
by espertus
by meggyweg
nocowardsoul Charlotte and Laurence are pretty similar.
Member Reviews
This was required reading for me in seventh grade (more on that in a sec), and I remember enjoying it but didn't remember a blessed thing about it except "girl in some peril with ship shit." (I did then, and I do still, love me some ship shit.) It's 1830 something or other, and Charlotte Doyle is twelvish and has been living at a boarding school in England where she was sent by her wealthy American parents to get girl-educated for the last six or so years. (And I thought sending your kiddo away at the age of six to the posh school the next county over was a horror. Imagine sending them ACROSS THE ATLANTIC at a time when getting them back would take two months on a floating death trap.) She gets dropped off by her father's man of show more business at the ship to find that the other families who were meant to take passage on it and look after her have not shown up. So she's gonna be the most unaccompanied of unaccompanied minors on a tall ship--and the only person with lady parts! Do not mistake my facetiousness for dismissiveness--this would have been terrifying. And it is. And then things really start to get scary.
Turns out the captain may be a sadistic mad bastard (he is), and there might be a mutiny brewing (there is), and Charlotte may end up a pawn in the captain's and the crew's shenanigans (she does). Eventually the right people (mostly) are okay, and the awful people (mostly) get comeuppanced. Along the way, Charlotte has to question things she's been taught about who to trust and why, honor, and gender roles. She eventually joins the crew (and therein lies a lot of the ship shit, and it is awesome. There's a bit where she climbs the rigging to the tippy tippy top, and oh my god, the descriptions. Amazing.), gets accused of murder, and solves a mystery. The very, very end (once Charlotte is home) feels juuuust a little stuck on, but it also feels kind of right and (the good kind) of inevitable, especially for a book aimed at middle schoolers. (My adult self wanted some further grappling with the implications of What Went Down on Dad's Ship, but I think that may have lost a young audience that surely was already a little taxed by this story.)
Speaking of which. SEVENTH GRADE?! I was reading on a twelfth-grade level in seventh grade (I know this because that was a year we were tested and our teacher confidentially gave all of us our results and she was very proud and kind to me when she gave me mine.), so I was probably fine. I think the content here is the sort some adults might think their precious twelve-year-olds shouldn't be exposed to, but they're wrong. Kids love this stuff and they want to know. (I'll note that while Charlotte is aware that it's not proper for a girl to be alone on a ship with no female (or at least related-to-her male) companion, there is no threat of or even veiled reference to the fear of rape--which is surely unrealistic, but I'll allow it for the sake of the target audience.) I lapped up anything I could get about honor and right-and-wrong and but-how-do-you-know at that age. But the prose! It's lovely but a little dense, I think, for middle grade. I applaud (with a bit of a raised eyebrow) my seventh-grade teacher's fortitude at walking a general population class (not honors or gifted or anything else that might suggest we were all reading above our grade level) of twelve-year-olds through this text. Some of us probably weren't interested in the content, and I'm sure many of us struggled with the text itself. Hats off to you, Mrs. Voz. If there are angels, I hope you are with them. show less
Turns out the captain may be a sadistic mad bastard (he is), and there might be a mutiny brewing (there is), and Charlotte may end up a pawn in the captain's and the crew's shenanigans (she does). Eventually the right people (mostly) are okay, and the awful people (mostly) get comeuppanced. Along the way, Charlotte has to question things she's been taught about who to trust and why, honor, and gender roles. She eventually joins the crew (and therein lies a lot of the ship shit, and it is awesome. There's a bit where she climbs the rigging to the tippy tippy top, and oh my god, the descriptions. Amazing.), gets accused of murder, and solves a mystery. The very, very end (once Charlotte is home) feels juuuust a little stuck on, but it also feels kind of right and (the good kind) of inevitable, especially for a book aimed at middle schoolers. (My adult self wanted some further grappling with the implications of What Went Down on Dad's Ship, but I think that may have lost a young audience that surely was already a little taxed by this story.)
Speaking of which. SEVENTH GRADE?! I was reading on a twelfth-grade level in seventh grade (I know this because that was a year we were tested and our teacher confidentially gave all of us our results and she was very proud and kind to me when she gave me mine.), so I was probably fine. I think the content here is the sort some adults might think their precious twelve-year-olds shouldn't be exposed to, but they're wrong. Kids love this stuff and they want to know. (I'll note that while Charlotte is aware that it's not proper for a girl to be alone on a ship with no female (or at least related-to-her male) companion, there is no threat of or even veiled reference to the fear of rape--which is surely unrealistic, but I'll allow it for the sake of the target audience.) I lapped up anything I could get about honor and right-and-wrong and but-how-do-you-know at that age. But the prose! It's lovely but a little dense, I think, for middle grade. I applaud (with a bit of a raised eyebrow) my seventh-grade teacher's fortitude at walking a general population class (not honors or gifted or anything else that might suggest we were all reading above our grade level) of twelve-year-olds through this text. Some of us probably weren't interested in the content, and I'm sure many of us struggled with the text itself. Hats off to you, Mrs. Voz. If there are angels, I hope you are with them. show less
An ocean voyage of unimaginable consequences... 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. Be warned, however: 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.
Wow, so many things happen in this book that are really, really messed up. I do understand intellectually that children as we now know them did not really exist as such in the 1800s, but to listen to it acted out is a whole 'nother level of harshness. Also, the world truly sucked for girls/women, people of color and sailors. Not, however the rip-roaring adventure I hoped it would be, too realistic for that. Well narrated, though.
I read this book like ten times when I was in middle school. The suspense! The high seas! The adventure! Getting all up in Charlotte Doyle's life always helped me get out of my own. Whatever problems I had with soccer or school seemed small compared to being accused of murder by an evil sea captain. Charlotte's story helped me take the long-view, to the see the big picture, to get some perspective on life. I love that there's no romance in this book at all. Sadly, many of the books I read as a kid lead me to believe that true love is the end-all and be-all of life. At the end of Charlotte's journey, she just wants to get out of her corset and into some comfy clothes. Amen, sister.
In fact, I think Charlotte Doyle is one of the great show more inspirational characters in children's literature. She transforms from a snobby, scared sheep-girl into a strong, brave, sailor-woman. She stops letting other people dictate her life to her and takes control. You can almost feel her spirit uncoiling as you read. It's breathtaking. It's transporting. It's awesome. show less
In fact, I think Charlotte Doyle is one of the great show more inspirational characters in children's literature. She transforms from a snobby, scared sheep-girl into a strong, brave, sailor-woman. She stops letting other people dictate her life to her and takes control. You can almost feel her spirit uncoiling as you read. It's breathtaking. It's transporting. It's awesome. show less
“A sailor chooses the wind that takes the ship from a safe port. Ah, yes, but once you're abroad, as you have seen, winds have a mind of their own. Be careful, Charlotte, careful of the wind you choose.”
― Avi, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Honestly? I am in love..with this book.
So we all read and read and as each new year starts I know for me, I look forward to finding, not just books I like but maybe a few that I c an adore...you know what I mean don't you? It's why we read..always looking for that next hidden treasure.
And so far this year I have read some good ones but nothing I'd say just leaps into unforgettable territory. Until this book.
So I read across all genres. But I do so love Historical Fiction. Specifically, show more the type where a certain time period or location can come alive..that really just does it for me.
One of my all time favorite Historical reads is 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond", which I first read as a kid and I reread it every so often. This reminded me so much of that book.
This has been on my TBR list forever. No in depth plot recount on this one as it is a pretty well known book with hundreds of reviews. But I will talk about why I liked it so much.
Like, the other book I mentioned, this book, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle has the theme of an unusual young female struggling to find her identity in a world that wants to keep her down and mold her to the wishes of other people. And like with Kit, in Blackbird Pond, Charlotte is, at heart, a warm, sassy and strong female, forced to fight for her life and identity under life threatening circumstances.
I also adored the homage to the sea. I loved the camaraderie of the sailors and the slow and easy pace of the book. I loved that I felt right there on the ship, as the wind whipped about and Seafoam sprayed everywhere.
I loved Charlotte's gutsiness and her authenticity. I loved everything about this book and found the writing sweeping and magnificent. Read it in one sitting. Those are the types of books to savor.
Also agree with the author..no sequel! Ending was perfect.
Highly recommended to all fans of Historical Fiction and adventure stories. A wonderful, sea drenched five stars for this story. show less
― Avi, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Honestly? I am in love..with this book.
So we all read and read and as each new year starts I know for me, I look forward to finding, not just books I like but maybe a few that I c an adore...you know what I mean don't you? It's why we read..always looking for that next hidden treasure.
And so far this year I have read some good ones but nothing I'd say just leaps into unforgettable territory. Until this book.
So I read across all genres. But I do so love Historical Fiction. Specifically, show more the type where a certain time period or location can come alive..that really just does it for me.
One of my all time favorite Historical reads is 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond", which I first read as a kid and I reread it every so often. This reminded me so much of that book.
This has been on my TBR list forever. No in depth plot recount on this one as it is a pretty well known book with hundreds of reviews. But I will talk about why I liked it so much.
Like, the other book I mentioned, this book, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle has the theme of an unusual young female struggling to find her identity in a world that wants to keep her down and mold her to the wishes of other people. And like with Kit, in Blackbird Pond, Charlotte is, at heart, a warm, sassy and strong female, forced to fight for her life and identity under life threatening circumstances.
I also adored the homage to the sea. I loved the camaraderie of the sailors and the slow and easy pace of the book. I loved that I felt right there on the ship, as the wind whipped about and Seafoam sprayed everywhere.
I loved Charlotte's gutsiness and her authenticity. I loved everything about this book and found the writing sweeping and magnificent. Read it in one sitting. Those are the types of books to savor.
Also agree with the author..no sequel! Ending was perfect.
Highly recommended to all fans of Historical Fiction and adventure stories. A wonderful, sea drenched five stars for this story. show less
I read this historical fiction in elementary school, but forgot most of the details. It has a gripping plot about how in the 1830s, a 13-year-old girl from a wealthy American family sailed on a ship from London to America. She befriended the sailors on the ship and became wary of the ship's cruel captain. Because of the captain's oppression of the crew, she began to dress as a boy to work along side the crew and help them. Eventually the captain met his doom falling into the sea, and the girl became captain of the ship. After arriving in America and returning to the life of her well-to-do family, she realized she can no longer feel at home with her family, so she returned back to the ship and its crew. Lots of adventure. Written well, show more so the book is hard to put down. Many details about how a ship looked and how sailors operated in the 1830s. The story touches on the issue of gender (because the girl wore sailor's clothing and cut her hair when she worked on the ship) and race (because one of the sailors was African.) The captain repeatedly verbally attacked the girl as "unnatural," whereas the girl repeatedly protested that she was not unnatural, but "unusual." That's a very interesting exchange I didn't catch when reading the book as a young girl. show less
I can remember the very first time I read this book when I was about 10, and not wanting to put it down. The language was rich and didn't talk down to the reader, which I enjoyed. I really felt swept up into this adventure on the high seas and was gripped by the story of Charlotte, the lone girl aboard an ill-fated ship destined for mutiny. Having just reread the book after so many years, I wondered whether it would captivate me as much as it did then. The answer was Yes! The tale of danger, deceit, murder, and courage still left me on the edge of my seat and unable to put the book down until it was finished. Avi is the kind of young adult author that knows that children are worthy of a great story, even with some dark themes. Charlotte show more transforms from a prim and proper young lady into a brave, strong, sailor...something unheard of for a woman of her class in the 1800s. The friendship that Charlotte forms with Zachariah, the ship's cook, who also happens to be black, was also an important element in her character evolution. This is an intricate tale, but thrilling and sticks with you after reading. show less
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Favorite Childhood Books
1,646 works; 518 members
Best Newbery Honor Books
241 works; 31 members
School Library Journal - 2012 Top 100 Children's Novels
68 works; 8 members
Best Books About Journeys and Quests
117 works; 30 members
Great Pirate Books
39 works; 21 members
Kids' Tour of the US in Books
50 works; 5 members
Honey For a Child's Heart
1,152 works; 25 members
Newbery Honor Books By year - II - 1981-2035
143 works; 4 members
water on the brain: maritime fiction
74 works; 18 members
Books We Loved As Children
603 works; 252 members
Our Favorite Comfort Reads
334 works; 200 members
Books We Love to Reread
688 works; 296 members
Strong Characters
39 works; 2 members
Struggle for Freedom
69 works; 4 members
GCS 6th grade summer reading list
171 works; 4 members
my children books reading list-from 100 great books
101 works; 7 members
Satori Smiles Children's Book List
262 works; 7 members
Swashbucklers
29 works; 6 members
Historical Fiction
889 works; 91 members
Books Read in 2010
631 works; 11 members
The Five Books That Represent Us
391 works; 148 members
Talk Discussions
Past Discussions
Book about sailing/pirates in Name that Book (December 2015)
Author Information
129+ Works 59,755 Members
Avi was born in 1937, in the city of New York and raised in Brooklyn. He began his writing career as a playwright, and didn't start writing childrens books until he had kids of his own. (Bowker Author Biography)
Awards and Honors
Awards
Distinctions
Notable Lists
Work Relationships
Has as a teacher's guide
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1990
- People/Characters
- Charlotte Doyle; Captain Jaggery; Zachariah; Samuel Hollybrass; Ewing
- Important places
- Atlantic Ocean; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; The Seahawk; Liverpool, England, UK; Rhode Island, USA
- Dedication
- For Elizabeth and Christina
- First words
- Prologue
Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty.
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 by the name of Grummage. - Quotations
- But when a ship is upon the sea, there's but one who rules. As God is to his people, as king to his nation, as father to his family, so is captain to his crew. Sheriff. Judge and jury. He is all. (page 34)
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Something Zachariah told me filled my mind and excited my heart: "A sailor," he said, "chooses the wind that takes the ship from safe port...but winds have a mind of their own."
Classifications
- Genres
- Kids, Tween, Children's Books, Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 808.899 — Literature & rhetoric Literature, rhetoric & criticism Composition Literature Collections Collections by and for groups of people Literature for and by groups of people with specific attributes, residents of specific areas
- LCC
- PZ7 .A953 .T — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 7,778
- Popularity
- 1,451
- Reviews
- 158
- Rating
- (3.98)
- Languages
- 9 — Catalan, Dutch, English, French, German, Galician, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 67
- ASINs
- 27