The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Daughter: When you go onto a ship would you ever in your right mind think about becoming part of the crew?? Would you betray the crew for the captain, then betray the captain for the crew?? What would you do if there was a mutiny whose side would you take the crews or the captains?? Would you stand by and watch as an old crew member was being flogged to death for what you did? At the end of the trip would you stand up to your father and tell him the truth and keep at it until he believed you?? What if you were accused of doing something that you didn't do but you don't know who did it would you take your undeserved punishment?

Dad: The great thing about this book is that it forces you to think about what is really important, especially when what you are experiencing doesn't match what you have learned up to this point in your short life. What if you, like 13 year old Charlotte, were taught that you were a proper young lady, you should not associate with people "beneath" you (especially uncouth crew members and black men) and you should respect your "betters," like the gentleman captain? But during your trip, you are amazed to discover that things aren't always what they seem and you were forced to make tough choices. I enjoyed this book, because I believe Charlotte rose to the occasion. The only frustrating bit for me was that her family was unable to perceive her growth and wished she would shrink back to a proper young lady.