Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
I read this for a school book report, and I found it amazing—very intriguing and engaging. Charlotte Doyle, the main character, has to board a ship from England to the US to join her family. But, I advise you to be alert at all times—a ship is a nation of its own.
A fabulous seafaring tale in which a proper young lady becomes part of a sailing ship's crew in 1832. Told with a strict attention to detail, this gripping story is a taut page-turner and great fun for anyone who loves a good yarn. Some reviews have faulted its realism, but hey, it is fiction, and women did serve on some of the old sailing vessels. I loved the gritty descriptions of life aboard ship and the transformation of Charlotte from a meek and yet somehow pompous 13-year-old girl to a real sailor. Avi's writing shines, as always.
One of the things I like about Avi is how varied his style is. Another thing I like about him is how he is one of the few authors where I can't predict the endings! Although the story is about a girl sailing across the Atlantic on a ship owned by her wealthy father, boys will enjoy this story just as much. Set in the nineteenth century Charlotte travels alone on a boat filled with mystery and tension. She uncovers a plot and then finds herself in the middle of it and it taxes her survival skills, as well as her sense of right and wrong. In the end, the voyage has transformed Charlotte beyond her time and station.
Bwee!
It's interesting to look back on the books that I loved when I was younger and realise how much I gravitated towards ones with strong heroines, even if I didn't realise it at the time. I wasn't consciously feminist but I still looked for books that told me that women could do anything!
This book is, at its heart, about a young girl throwing off the shackles of society and learning to be herself, strong and brave and even a leader! It's about her coming to that realisation and standing up for herself.
It's also fascinating, with intrigue, sailing and lots of drama!
Historically accurate? Probably note. Slightly implausible? You bet. Still an enjoyable book though, IMO. It struck the right balance for me, the story bringing enough to the table that the rest fades. Historical accuracy and plausibility are definitely important but sometimes the message is more important.
It's interesting to look back on the books that I loved when I was younger and realise how much I gravitated towards ones with strong heroines, even if I didn't realise it at the time. I wasn't consciously feminist but I still looked for books that told me that women could do anything!
This book is, at its heart, about a young girl throwing off the shackles of society and learning to be herself, strong and brave and even a leader! It's about her coming to that realisation and standing up for herself.
It's also fascinating, with intrigue, sailing and lots of drama!
Historically accurate? Probably note. Slightly implausible? You bet. Still an enjoyable book though, IMO. It struck the right balance for me, the story bringing enough to the table that the rest fades. Historical accuracy and plausibility are definitely important but sometimes the message is more important.
I recalled very little from this book when my 5th grade teacher read it to the class. That was 25+ years ago. I listened to the audiobook this go-around. The story itself isn’t so bad. The audiobook was reasonable. The speaker’s nasal whistle as she inhaled was very distracting. It leaves things to be desired when you compare this recording to more current ones.
I saw a recommendation for this book and was looking for a short audiobook, so it fit the bill! A fun story about a young girl having to travel alone aboard a ship when a mutiny takes place.
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Blood, Murder
This is such a well written middle grade book. It doesn't seem young at all. The pacing is so good. I loved this in 7th grade and I love it as an adult.
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.