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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I have now read this novel, well, 13 times. Wait! Thirteen times? How can that be? And why? This novel is okay, but it is definitely not of a "read thirteen times" caliber.
The first reading was when I was a sixth grade student; it was a class novel. Inspired by the novel, my classmates and I signed a round robin in an attempt to overthrow our teacher. We knew that the crew was on to something, and like them, we were dissatisfied with our "captain". And, like the crew, we failed. After scribbling our middle school signatures, we placed that round robin on our teacher's desk. The result: a week of no recess.
[I wish I could find this teacher, who has retired, and apologize to him for the behavior of my class.]
The other 12 times? Ironically, I now teach this novel to middle school students. This is the fourth year I have taught the novel and each year I use it with three separate classes. Believe it or not, we read the novel in its entirety - which means I read it three times through a year.
I give my kids a warning before we start - this book WILL start SLOW, but, I PROMISE, it will pick up. We discuss the history/time period (the kids are always amazed at how different it was in the 1800s); we talk about parts of a brig (the ship they are sailing on); we work slowly through the first few chapters. The first few days of reading are met with grumbling. However, just like I promised the kids, the book picks up. By the time we get to the middle of the book, kids are BEGGING to read more. In fact, a student - who was clear that he hates reading - asked if we were going to read today. As soon as he said it, he paused and then said, "I can't believe I just asked that. Who would have thought I would like a book?"
Is this book the best YA book I have ever read? No. Not even close. However, I appreciate the history, the lessons within, and, most obviously, the fact that the book engages my students - even the hesitant ones.
The first reading was when I was a sixth grade student; it was a class novel. Inspired by the novel, my classmates and I signed a round robin in an attempt to overthrow our teacher. We knew that the crew was on to something, and like them, we were dissatisfied with our "captain". And, like the crew, we failed. After scribbling our middle school signatures, we placed that round robin on our teacher's desk. The result: a week of no recess.
[I wish I could find this teacher, who has retired, and apologize to him for the behavior of my class.]
The other 12 times? Ironically, I now teach this novel to middle school students. This is the fourth year I have taught the novel and each year I use it with three separate classes. Believe it or not, we read the novel in its entirety - which means I read it three times through a year.
I give my kids a warning before we start - this book WILL start SLOW, but, I PROMISE, it will pick up. We discuss the history/time period (the kids are always amazed at how different it was in the 1800s); we talk about parts of a brig (the ship they are sailing on); we work slowly through the first few chapters. The first few days of reading are met with grumbling. However, just like I promised the kids, the book picks up. By the time we get to the middle of the book, kids are BEGGING to read more. In fact, a student - who was clear that he hates reading - asked if we were going to read today. As soon as he said it, he paused and then said, "I can't believe I just asked that. Who would have thought I would like a book?"
Is this book the best YA book I have ever read? No. Not even close. However, I appreciate the history, the lessons within, and, most obviously, the fact that the book engages my students - even the hesitant ones.
Great book! I hadn't read Avi in awhile, and forgot what a good storyteller he is. I heard they are making this book into a movie with Morgan Freeman and Pierce Brosnan. Can't wait!
I want to give this 3.5 stars. I can't believe it is 2013 and we still can't give half stars on this website.
One of my campers suggested this book to me, and it's been eons since I've read it. It was great timing, as we just sailed on the Clearwater, love when things like that happen. Makes the whole book much more relevant and imaginable.
Good use of language to get the reader into the period, and suspenseful (although a bit later than I would have wanted).
Good use of language to get the reader into the period, and suspenseful (although a bit later than I would have wanted).
Awesome ships! Adventures at sea! Mutiny! Mystery! A young girl breaking free of society's constraints! Holy cow, I loved this book. I want to hug it and squeeze it. I'm sorry that 12-year-old me never read it because as much as I love it now, she would have loved it even more.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a hard time getting into this book but I stuck with it and loved the ending!
This book was originally one of those very lucky finds in a small school library when I was bored during independent reading time, and has since became one of my all time favorite books. I'm usually not one for historical fiction, but this novel sold me on the idea hook, line, and sinker. I enjoyed watching Charlotte's adventure, and how she grew from someone who does what is expected of her to someone in charge of her fate and destiny. The cast of characters was very interesting, and through my many rereads of the book I've never tired of them. The writing was excellent, well-paced, and immersive in Charlotte's world. I'm probably going to reread it again.
Just reread this. I've bumped it from four to five stars. I don't think I could have understood a lot of it when I was in fifth grade, but I sure was determined.