The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is excited to return home from her school in England to her family in Rhode Island in the summer of 1832.

But when the two families she was supposed to travel with mysteriously cancel their trips, Charlotte finds herself the lone passenger on a long sea voyage with a cruel captain and a mutinous crew. Worse yet, soon after stepping aboard the ship, she becomes enmeshed in a conflict between them! What begins as an eagerly anticipated ocean crossing turns into a harrowing journey, where Charlotte gains a villainous enemy . . . and is put on trial for murder!

Stitchley's Raiting:  
I've tried to stay away from books that have awards or are will know simply because it is so easy to find out information about them.  This book is one that I haven't had many other people I know read.  Seems every time I suggest it to others they are always saying they have seen it but not read it.  This is an enjoyable book, mostly because I could completely relate to the young Charlotte Doyle.  I never was a fan of being put in dresses or acting like a girly girl.  I simply wouldn't and still avoid dresses like they are the bane of my existence.  If I could have been a sailor on a ship I probably would have.  My dream as a kid was to be a cowboy, a sailor, or a Starfleet officer.  I think anyone who has dreamed of the freedom of the sea would love this book.  It has an evil and camaraderie as well.  I don't recall any instances of swearing.