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Genre:
Historical
Fiction
True Confessions of
Charlotte Doyle
Long Range Questioning:
How does Charlotte change throughout the story? How is her life
different from yours?
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Chapter 1
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Build Background Knowledge: During the 1830’s, Charlotte’s father
works for the company that owns the ship that Charlotte is to travel back
to America on. She will travel across the Atlantic Ocean. This type of
voyage is called a Trans-Atlantic Voyage.
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What kind of difficulties do you think Charlotte will face? Why?
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How long do you think this voyage will take?
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What goods were on the dock? One was tobacco.
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Why do you think the porter carrying Charlottes packages runs away
when he hears the name of the ship?
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How is Charlotte dressed? What does she have her things packed in?
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What are Charlotte’s first impressions of the ship? Does she feel positive
or negative about her upcoming voyage?
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Chapters 1-5
After reading chapters 1-5 please identify clues the author gives you to suggest danger may lie head?
(Find at least 5)
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Why did Zachariah give Miss Doyle a dirk? Please explain using details/clues from the book.
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Who was the owner of the Seahawk?
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Why did the crew sign up for another voyage with Captain Jaggery if they “despised him? How does
the author show you that the crew does not like him?
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What did the sailors secretly sign as a vow to turn against their captain? If you were on the ship would
you have signed it ? Why or Why not?
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Why was Charlotte sailing to America? How did she feel about this voyage?
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What did the Captain do to punish Cranick? What happened to him because of the punishment? Why
is he the only crew member not on board?
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Why did Zachariah feel he and Charlotte should be friends? How did Charlotte feel about this? How
do you know?