True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 22 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. In Chapter 1, Charlotte is left to travel on the Seahawk without the other families. How does this beginning make the trip feel unsafe or unusual?
2. In Chapter 2, Charlotte meets Captain Jaggery and some of the crew. What first impressions does she have, and what do those impressions tell us about her?
3. In Chapter 3, Zachariah tries to warn Charlotte and gives her advice. Why do you think Charlotte has trouble believing him?
4. In Chapter 4, the crew members seem nervous and secretive. What clues show that something may be wrong on the ship?
5. In Chapter 5, Charlotte chooses to tell Captain Jaggery about what she has seen or heard. Do you think this was a wise choice? Why or why not?
6. In Chapter 6, Charlotte learns more about the captain’s power over the ship. How does Captain Jaggery use fear to control people?
7. In Chapter 7, Charlotte begins to see that the crew and the captain have very different points of view. How is her thinking starting to change?
8. In Chapter 8, important words like duty, loyalty, and trust matter to Charlotte. Choose one of these words and explain how it connects to this chapter.
9. In Chapter 9, Zachariah is punished, and Charlotte is shocked by what happens. How does this event affect her feelings about Captain Jaggery?
10. In Chapter 10, Charlotte feels more alone than ever on the ship. What would you predict she might do next, and what clues support your prediction?
11. In Chapter 11, Charlotte makes choices that separate her from the life she knew before. How is she becoming different from the proper young lady she was at the start?
12. In Chapter 12, Charlotte tries to prove herself to the crew. What challenges does she face, and what do these challenges show about her character?
13. In Chapter 13, Charlotte’s place on the ship changes. How do the crew members begin to see her differently, and why?
14. In Chapter 14, a dangerous event makes the voyage even more frightening. How do Charlotte’s actions show courage or quick thinking?
15. In Chapter 15, Charlotte is accused of a serious crime. What evidence or events make her situation seem unfair?
16. In Chapter 16, Charlotte must face a kind of trial on the ship. How does this trial show the difference between real justice and Captain Jaggery’s version of justice?
17. In Chapter 17, Charlotte has to deal with fear and possible punishment. What helps her keep going when the situation seems hopeless?
18. In Chapter 18, the weather and the ship create danger for everyone. How does the setting add excitement and suspense to the story?
19. In Chapter 19, Captain Jaggery’s true character becomes clearer. What do his choices show about who he really is?
20. In Chapter 20, Charlotte survives a major turning point in the story. How has she changed from the girl who first boarded the Seahawk?
21. In Chapter 21, Charlotte returns to her family and her old life. Why might it be hard for her to fit in again?
22. In Chapter 22, Charlotte makes a final decision about where she belongs. What theme or lesson do you think the ending teaches about courage and being yourself?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

In Chapter 5, Charlotte chooses to tell Captain Jaggery about what she has seen or heard. Do you think this was a wise choice? Why or why not?

I do not think it was a wise choice, even though Charlotte thought she was doing the right thing. She trusted Captain Jaggery because he seemed polite and important. But she did not understand that he might use her information to hurt the crew. This shows that Charlotte still has a lot to learn about the people on the ship.

In Chapter 12, Charlotte tries to prove herself to the crew. What challenges does she face, and what do these challenges show about her character?

Charlotte faces challenges because she is not used to hard work on a ship, and the crew does not fully trust her at first. She has to learn new skills and be brave even when she feels scared. I think this shows that she is determined. She does not give up just because people think she cannot do it.

In Chapter 22, Charlotte makes a final decision about where she belongs. What theme or lesson do you think the ending teaches about courage and being yourself?

I think the ending teaches that courage means choosing the life that feels true to you. Charlotte has changed too much to go back to being exactly who she was before. She knows that other people may not understand her choice, but she follows her heart anyway. To me, that makes her a very brave character.