The year is 1832 and Charlotte Doyle is about to board a ship bound for home.
Charlotte is taking this journey to reunite with her family, who are awaiting her return in America. Ms. Doyle boards the Seahawk in England as a special young lady but quickly things go awry when her traveling companions fail to show up for departure. She is the only female aboard the ship and fears the social implications.
Charlotte quickly makes a friend in the old black cook named Zachariah. He gives her a knife and a stern warning about the hated Captain Jaggery. Charlotte being so high-minded ignores his warnings, much to her peril, and the ship and crew quickly spiral out of control and into mutiny.
There are many twists and turns in this yarn as Charlotte transforms from prissy girl to an important member of the crew. She helps sail the ship through a hurricane and even ends up on trial for murder. Most girls I know would adore this book of travel and adventure. Plus it is soon to be a movie directed by Danny Devito, starrring Morgan Freeman as Zachariah. I can't wait to share the book and movie with my daughter.
Yesterday, I went to Camp Readalot and AVI was the guest speaker. AVI has written over 70 books for young adults, an amazing feat in my opinion, considering he announced that he has dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is a writing disability closing related to dyslexia. AVI worked for 25 years as a librarian before becoming a full time writer. I have read two of his books and I must say, I enjoyed both Crispin and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. I will definitely read more of his work.
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