The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Coming Soon to Theatres: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle”

In this activity, students create a movie trailer for the novel.

Part A

Avi’s True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle seemingly has everything a movie needs: action, adventure, and the story of a young woman coming of age and pushing against societal norms. For this activity, work in groups of 3-4 students. You will create a movie trailer for the novel. It should meet the following criteria:

• 2 minutes or less in length
• Should make its viewers want to watch the movie
• Should touch on one of the three themes of the novel: Transformation and Growth, Challenging Gender Roles, or The Barriers of Class.

As a group, you may choose to either act out the scenes or put together a timeline that represents the shots you would include in your trailer, known as a storyboard. Use the time allotted by your teacher to work together. Each group will then present its trailer to the class.

Part B

Together, discuss what you saw in each other’s trailers. Think about the following questions:

• What scenes or moments were most commonly included? Which were left out? Why or why not?
• What was your decision-making process? How did you approach the trailer?
• Are there other changes you would make if you could make this movie? Why?
• How did this activity help you better understand the plot’s critical elements?

Teaching Suggestion: Guide students to think about how novels must be condensed to make a movie. For their trailers, they should think about the key moments of the plot and the moments that characterize Charlotte the most.

Differentiation Suggestion: For those struggling to present in front of the class, a script could serve as a third alternative. Advanced students might create an actual movie trailer and premiere it with the class.