Book Review

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

This quickly became one of my favorite books. It falls under the category of a young adult novel but I think it could easily branch over as an enjoyable book for adults as well. This book follows the exciting account of Charlotte Doyle and her adventures at sea.

When we meet Charlotte she is a polished 13 year old girl. She believes that she should be treated with the utmost respect because her father was a powerful man in England. Her family moved to Rhode Island some years previous, leaving her to complete finishing school in Liverpool. One thing I love about this book is that it is full of twists, the first occurring within the first few pages. Charlotte was scheduled to sail with family friends but they never arrive at the port. Resolved to see her family again she embarks on the dangerous voyage to Rhode Island, as the only female passenger aboard the mysterious Seahawk.

In a matter of days Charlotte finds out that she came on board at a most inopportune time. Apparently the crew that signed on for this particular voyage has some unfinished business with Captain Jaggery. Feeling apprehensive, Charlotte has tea with the Captain and is relieved to find out that he is a respectable gentleman. She forgets her worres and tries to enjoy her trip. However, soon after this she begins to wonder about Captain Jaggery's true character and if she is entirely safe aboard the Seahawk. As Charlotte tries to figure out who is telling the truth she discovers which causes are worth fighting for.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle is set up in journal form, which allows the reader a firsthand account of the exact goings-on during Charlotte's voyage. It was thrilling to see Charlotte transform from a polished, naive girl to a brave young woman who literally fights for her life. It's a great "coming of age" story full of interesting twists. There are some scary scenes including whipping, stabbing and several scenes of cruel behavior. While these scense are intense I don't think think they are inappropriate for the young adult age group. There are no other factors that would dissuade my recommending this book.