BDA: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Here are Before, During, and After activities for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi:

Before You Begin Reading…

Complete one of the following activities.

1. You are the only passenger on a ship in 1832, sailing from Liverpool, England to Providence, Rhode Island. The captain has told you the crew is dangerous. The crew has told you the captain is dangerous. Whom do you believe? Why? Write a minimum of half a page.


2. Divide a page into two columns: Boys, Girls. Under the column headed “Boys,” list things you know about boys that are not true about girls. Under “Girls,” list traits specific to girls. Did you have many differences to list? Were these differences good or bad? What do you think about your list? Would others agree with what you have listed? Write a paragraph answering these questions.


3. Think of an activity that you thought you couldn’t do but for some reason tried and realized that you could do it. Describe what happened. Are there other things that you were unsure about that you might try now? Write a minimum of half a page.


4. Has anyone ever told you that you couldn’t do something because of your age? gender? race? class? How did it make you feel? Write a minimum of half a page.

While You Are Reading…

Complete one of the following activities.

1. Divide a page into 4 columns creating a table with the following labels. Fill in a row at the end of each chapter. If you or Charlotte are unsure, write “unsure” in the proper column and explain why.
   
   • Whom do I trust?
   
   
   • Why?
   
   
   • Whom does Charlotte trust?
   
   
   • Why?


2. Draw a picture of one of the book’s main characters as the voyage begins. Then draw a second picture of the same character at the end of the voyage. Use at least 3 details from the book. (Character examples: Captain Jaggery, Charlotte, Zachariah)


3. As you read, write down unfamiliar words. Make a crossword puzzle with at least 10 of these words using their definitions as clues.


4. Choose a character. Explain how this character’s race, gender, age, and class influence how the other characters react toward him or her. You may write a paper or use a chart format.

When You Have Finished Reading…

Complete one of the following activities.

1. After returning home from Rhode Island, if you were Charlotte, would you have chosen to do something different? Rewrite the last chapter of the book.


2. Write a ballad recounting the events that took place on the voyage of the Seahawk from the point of view of any of the characters.


3. Write a letter from Charlotte’s mother, father, sister, or brother to Charlotte describing how she/he feels about how Charlotte has changed since she/he last saw her.


4. Do you think events described in the book are realistic? Why or why not? Write a minimum of one page. Be persuasive.