READING LEVEL: 5.3 AR POINTS: 8.0

I think young readers will really enjoy this adventure on the sea if they could only get past the very hokie beginning. As was typical in early 1800's, Charlotte was sent across seas to England for "proper" schooling in becoming a "proper" young lady. But, on her voyage back home to Rhode island where her family were part of the elite slave owners, anything that could go wrong went wrong. This is her adventure as she tried to cope with the hard and dangerous realities of life...and of hard sailors, testing her courage, strength and survival skills. ( )

I read this once in elementry, once in middle school, and now again as an adult. I loved it every time that I read it. The story of a 13-year-old girl who finds the freedom of the open sea more inviting than the sheltered and stuffy existance she was leading. She finds the strength to overcome her fears, and stand up to those who feel she is beneath them. ( )

Fun read, needed to suspend disbelief just a tad but enjoyed it nevertheless. Looking for more books by this author. ( )

3.5 stars. I read this because my sixth-grader is reading it for language arts. While I enjoyed the story, Charlotte's huge transformation is extremely difficult to believe! ( )

“A sailor chooses the wind that takes the ship from a safe port. Ah, yes, but once you're abroad, as you have seen, winds have a mind of their own. Be careful, Charlotte, careful of the wind you choose.”
― Avi, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Honestly? I am in love..with this book.

So we all read and read and as each new year starts I know for me, I look forward to finding, not just books I like but maybe a few that I c an adore...you know what I mean don't you? It's why we read..always looking for that next hidden treasure.

And so far this year I have read some good ones but nothing I'd say just leaps into unforgettable territory. Until this book.

So I read across all genres. But I do so love Historical Fiction. Specifically, the type where a certain time period or location can come alive..that really just does it for me.

One of my all time favorite Historical reads is 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond", which I first read as a kid and I reread it every so often. This reminded me so much of that book.

This has been on my TBR list forever. No in depth plot recount on this one as it is a pretty well known book with hundreds of reviews. But I will talk about why I liked it so much.

Like, the other book I mentioned, this book, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle has the theme of an unusual young female struggling to find her identity in a world that wants to keep her down and mold her to the wishes of other people. And like with Kit, in Blackbird Pond, Charlotte is, at heart, a warm, sassy and strong female, forced to fight for her life and identity under life threatening circumstances.

I also adored the homage to the sea. I loved the camaraderie of the sailors and the slow and easy pace of the book. I loved that I felt right there on the ship, as the wind whipped about and Seafoam sprayed everywhere.

I loved Charlotte's gutsiness and her authenticity. I loved everything about this book and found the writing sweeping and magnificent. Read it in one sitting. Those are the types of books to savor.

Also agree with the author..no sequel! Ending was perfect.

Highly recommended to all fans of Historical Fiction and adventure stories. A wonderful, sea drenched five stars for this story. ( )