Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

1991 Newbery Honor Book

Ratings Explanation

Language:  The name of Diety is taken in vain. A mild swear word used twice. The sailors “muttered swear words” under their breath. The book doesn’t say what they are.

Sexual Content: It is mentioned that in the sailors’ quarters there are pictures “some of a scandalous nature.”

Violence:  The ship’s sailors have one thing on their mind: revenge on the harsh Capt. Jaggery for cutting off the arm of their comrade. The sailors stage a mutiny, but their plans are foiled and one sailor is killed and another is beaten to near death. When Charlotte shames the captain by standing up to his cruel authority, Jaggery’s hatred turns toward her. He slaps her in the face and forces Charlotte to have the hardest and most dangerous sailor jobs on board. Charlotte is framed for the murder of Mr. Hollybrass, tried, found guilty and sentenced to be hung. The captain attempts to kill Charlotte.

Adult Content: Charlotte has many tense, frightening moments as she witnesses a murder, beatings, betrayals, being jailed in the dark, climbing to the top mast for the first time, helping to save the boat as it rides through a hurricane, being framed for a murder she didn’t commit and nearly being killed by Captain Jaggery.

Synopsis

Charlotte Doyle finds herself in a most unusual situation. It is 1832 and the properly raised, upper class young lady is making a transatlantic crossing on the cargo ship the “Seahawk”. As the only passenger, and the only female, Charlotte becomes caught between a ruthless captain and his avenging crew. At first, Charlotte looks upon Captain Jaggery as a fine man of her same social standing. But when she witnesses how he cruelly kills one sailor and beats another to near death for an attempted mutiny, she changes her opinion of him. Charlotte feels sorry for informing the captain of the crews’ plans, and then feels compelled to join the sailors to prove that her new loyalties lie with them. Charlotte carries her share of the work as a sailor and gains their respect. Charlotte enjoys her new life and loves the freedom of casting aside the social stigmas of her age, gender and culture. During a hurricane, the first mate is discovered murdered. The captain wrongfully frames Charlotte for the deed. She is tried and found guilty. Only through her quick wit and courageous efforts for justice is she able to save herself and the other crew members.

I’m always a fan of a book with a strong heroine.  Charlotte Doyle is one such character.  This suspenseful and dramatic novel is told in first person.  The reader is hooked from its opening statement:  “Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty.” I loved watching her change from a proper young lady who always wore white gloves, to a fearless sailor who could carry her share of the work on the ship, as well as stand up to the cruel injustices of Jaggery.   This book was a great choice for a Newbery Honor.