A nice read, certainly off the path of what I have been reading lately, a short engaging story of the high seas, no this is not like Hemingway… instead it is by Avi (love the name!), The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Poor Charlotte Doyle who shares this story years after she experienced the trip of her life. Can you imagine parents sending their child from England to the US on a cargo sailboat in 1832?! Her father, who owns the shipping company, has his daughter on the voyage. The other families who were scheduled to join the trip back out when they learn of the infamous captain (Captain Jaggery) at the helm. Jaggery’s last voyage was one in which he cut off the arm of a sailor. Charlotte is warned not to go on board, but the man dropping her off gives her no choice, fire his butt Mr. Doyle! Charlotte learns that she has entered a “mutiny” voyage. Death, trials (yes, Charlotte goes on trial for murder), and becoming a true sailor for a 13 year old girl, this one has it all!
The book is probably most impactful for the age range of Charlotte, 11-15. Simple, fun, exciting, and a coming of age story. Love the ending – shouldn’t we all run away and follow our dreams, especially 13 year-olds? Great lesson, huh??? Give this one to your young niece, she will love it. For those over 16, hmmm… probably not.
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