Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. The book is great work. I just couldn't put it down. The writing wow is just right. From the first page you will get hooked on the book. The book will make you think and wonder and even make you sad. i know i was. After you pass that chapter then it get even better. Until the end, you just don't want to story to end that quick. I could of read about another 100 more pages on a escape from home and new adventure on the Sea Hawk. I would recommend it to anyone old and young, Its a great book.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very captivating beginning. A bit unbelievable, but adventurous and fun.
I read this for one of my book clubs. I was not impressed. For one thing, I think I'm getting tired of adolescent fiction. It can be zipped through, but it does not satisfy in the least. Since this one won't warrant a legit review on my blog, I'll go ahead and sum up here why I didn't enjoy it very much.
I'll start, however, with the one good thing I have to say about it. The author is male, and the protagonist is a female. The narrative is written in first person, and I must admit that I thought the author did a fine job of providing an appropriately female perspective.
That being said, however, Charlotte is not a character who is easy to root for. She never does anything to begin with to endear herself to readers' hearts, so when she remains a completely stuck-up, self-righteous, holier-than-thou, class-conscious snob, it's difficult to sympathize with her. Beyond that, she doesn't seem to have a grain of sense in her head whatsoever. She never makes a wise decision through the whole book and takes what feels like a longer than normal amount of time to catch on to things that both the readers and the other characters have all caught on to.
I am not sure what advice I would give this author, except to stop writing. I was just not impressed.
To be fair...this book was published in 1992, and I read it in 2012, so maybe that has something to do with it.
Enough is enough, though. I think I'm going to plead with my book club for some more adult reads.
I'll start, however, with the one good thing I have to say about it. The author is male, and the protagonist is a female. The narrative is written in first person, and I must admit that I thought the author did a fine job of providing an appropriately female perspective.
That being said, however, Charlotte is not a character who is easy to root for. She never does anything to begin with to endear herself to readers' hearts, so when she remains a completely stuck-up, self-righteous, holier-than-thou, class-conscious snob, it's difficult to sympathize with her. Beyond that, she doesn't seem to have a grain of sense in her head whatsoever. She never makes a wise decision through the whole book and takes what feels like a longer than normal amount of time to catch on to things that both the readers and the other characters have all caught on to.
I am not sure what advice I would give this author, except to stop writing. I was just not impressed.
To be fair...this book was published in 1992, and I read it in 2012, so maybe that has something to do with it.
Enough is enough, though. I think I'm going to plead with my book club for some more adult reads.
I read this innumerable times when I was 10 or 11. Curious to do a re-read to see if it holds up.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read : As escapism in 5th grade, a most lazy book report freshman year of high school.
I always appreciate a book where a strong, young female (who has no need for romantic interest...at least that I remember) is the protagonist and comes out on top.
I always appreciate a book where a strong, young female (who has no need for romantic interest...at least that I remember) is the protagonist and comes out on top.
Don't be fooled by the fluffy cover of this book- Charlotte Doyle is a heroine for the ages!
This was a great adventure story. Burly sailors, an evil captain, mystery and intrigue, a likable heroine, and gender roles thrown upside down. The story takes place in 1832 so some of the language and attitudes of the characters feel out of place now, but are authentic for the time period. But the detail of the period and ship are quite specific, and Charlotte is a great narrator. I understand why Avi didn't write any more stories about Charlotte's adventures, but I still wouldn't have minded revisiting her!
Course evaluation:
Personal Response: I really enjoyed the setting of this story, the historical details, and the challenges to gender roles in the 1830s. Charlotte was a wonderful narrator and I loved watching her transformation from proper young girl to confidant crew member.
Evaluation: This story reflects the values and attitudes of 1832; Charlotte begins the story as a proper young lady, worried about being without chaperones on the ship, and initially impressed with the captain for being a well-dressed gentleman. These social norms may make the reader uncomfortable at times - the negative attitudes toward Zachariah as a black man and the expectations of Charlotte as a girl – but Avi’s descriptions create an authentic setting and will spark discussion among readers. However, the details of the culture and ship (complete with an Appendix of drawings and vocabulary) do not detract from the exciting and suspenseful plot. Charlotte’s first-person perspective is also quite effect; the reader identifies with her feeling out of place on the ship and watches as she matures throughout the book.
Course evaluation:
Personal Response: I really enjoyed the setting of this story, the historical details, and the challenges to gender roles in the 1830s. Charlotte was a wonderful narrator and I loved watching her transformation from proper young girl to confidant crew member.
Evaluation: This story reflects the values and attitudes of 1832; Charlotte begins the story as a proper young lady, worried about being without chaperones on the ship, and initially impressed with the captain for being a well-dressed gentleman. These social norms may make the reader uncomfortable at times - the negative attitudes toward Zachariah as a black man and the expectations of Charlotte as a girl – but Avi’s descriptions create an authentic setting and will spark discussion among readers. However, the details of the culture and ship (complete with an Appendix of drawings and vocabulary) do not detract from the exciting and suspenseful plot. Charlotte’s first-person perspective is also quite effect; the reader identifies with her feeling out of place on the ship and watches as she matures throughout the book.