The fascinating journey of a famous naturalistYoung Charley Darwin hated school—he much preferred to be outside studying birds’ eggs, feathers, and...
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Jul 20, 2010
Christi
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Summary: In The True Adventures of Charley Darwin by Carolyn Meyer explores the early life of a young Charles Darwin as he begins his academic career and discovers his love of nature and the outdoors. As a student, Charles is not very studious, but does his work. He spends the majority of his time exploring the school grounds and the wilderness surrounding his home and other places he travels to vacation with his family. Having lost his mother at a very young age, his father, brother, and sister
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Feb 21, 2010
Erica
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For most people the name Darwin brings to mind an old, serious-looking man with a long, white beard. But what about Charley Darwin--the small boy who couldn't still still in class because he'd rather be collecting specimens outside? Darwin's life was not always certain and the man who would go on to become one of the most important and controversial scientists of his day (and ours) was once a young man, unsure of himself and without a clue as to what he'd do with his life. This book follows t
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Jul 27, 2011
Andrea
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I think this may be my favourite book by Carolyn Meyer.
Before reading this I knew nothing about Charles Darwin, I just knew that he had had some very very good ideas and had changed how we think about things and evolution. etc. etc. I had never thought of him as an actual real living person who falls in love and had feelings. So I think that is what made me enjoy this book so much. Now I feel like I really know him and he is a character that sticks out in my mind instead of some old g More...
Before reading this I knew nothing about Charles Darwin, I just knew that he had had some very very good ideas and had changed how we think about things and evolution. etc. etc. I had never thought of him as an actual real living person who falls in love and had feelings. So I think that is what made me enjoy this book so much. Now I feel like I really know him and he is a character that sticks out in my mind instead of some old g More...
Apr 24, 2009
Kris
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Recommended for gr. 6-10. This is a well-researched first-person account of Charles Darwin’s youth, beginning at about 9 years old and continuing through his journey on the Beagle. His schooling and interest in the natural world are well-handled, as well as decisions he has to make as he becomes older. Period details are included, such as the possibility of his sisters becoming “spinsters” since they had no mother to set up social engagements for them. The development of his theory of evolut
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Aug 26, 2011
Sherrie
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I've always thought of Charles Darwin as an old man with grey hair and a beard. But this book gives you a bird's eye view into the young Charley Darwin. This book is about Charley in school, which he hated, and as a young man sailing around the world. What starts our as a voyage of 2 years turns out to be 5 years. He sees things he's never seen before. And he is so sea sick during the voyage. He spends most of his time on ship in his hammock. But once on land Charley is his old self again. Off t
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Nov 18, 2009
Morgan
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This novel tried to cover a very long period of time in a relatively short novel. It just wasn't that interesting to read, and was hard to connect with anything because most of the book was just listing events. It had about all the excitement of a grocery list. There was very little plot, even though the beginning was promising. I did not particularly enjoy this novel, but hey, someone might.
I had a similar problem with Meyer's other book I read: Loving Will Shakespeare More...
I had a similar problem with Meyer's other book I read: Loving Will Shakespeare More...
May 17, 2010
Alexa
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I really like this book. It talked alot about Charles Darwin before his marriage and that was really interesting because he had a interesting childhood. Some people may not pick this book up in the first place because no one really wants to read a book called The True Adventures of Charley Darwin at first but I recommend trying it. There are some slow parts but overall it is a really good book and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Charles Darwin or who like historical fiction.
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Dec 07, 2011
Brett
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Carolyn Meyer writes her first historical fictionalized biography featuring a male protagonist, & it comes across as strongly as her others. The greater part of the book is devoted to Darwin's youth in Shropshire, & a lot of teenage readers are going to be pleasantly surprised to find that he spent most of his young life struggling to find his own identity & decide what HE wanted to do with his life, not what others wanted for him. That's a message that's going to sound loud & clear to kids. The
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May 18, 2009
Nomi
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Interesting and engaging. Covers the boyhood life of Darwin, when he was a poor student who'd rather be outside collecting specimens and concludes after his amazing expedition aboard the Beagle which enabled him to capture those very important finches. Full of lots of personal details about Charles and his large family as well as details about his intellectual influences and early theories on "transmutation."
Apr 17, 2010
Heather
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The True Adventures of Charley Darwin is the fictionalized account of the early years of naturalist Charles Darwin, covering his childhood in Shropshire, England up through his marriage at age 29. Told in the first person, the early years of Charley’s life are described in detail that makes the era come alive, although the author’s choice to tell the story as Charley might have written in the nineteenth century, complete with the English spellings, may make reading more difficult for young adul
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Sep 14, 2009
Christine
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Before he was the famous scientist, Charles Darwin, he was young Charley Darwin, who did poorly in school and didn't what he wanted to do with his life. Then, his voyage in the Beagle changed everything. This is that story. It is fiction, but apparently quite closely based on fact. It's well-written and I truly grew to love Charley as I read. Which is a good thing, since I named my son after him! It ends with his marriage, before he publishes his most famous and controversial works. I'd l
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Jul 20, 2011
Yapha
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I really didn't know much about Charles Darwin, other than his famous theories. This book was a great look at the young Charley, and his life-changing voyage on the Beagle. I really enjoyed the story and learning about his journey into the world of scientific discovery. It's a great look at history and science, as well as an excellent adventure story.
Jun 10, 2009
Terry
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If you like real-life excitement about real-life people, this is a great book for mid-grade to young adult. It just touches on the controversy Darwin's theories brought about in a very clear and not heavy-handed way. The rest of the book brings to life the early 19th century in England and in Darwin's voyages.
Aug 08, 2009
This one started out so promising -- an enjoyable portrait of young Charles Darwin. Then... it lost its way during Darwin's four year sea voyage around the world. Collecting, shooting, wandering, and I didn't even bother to see how he made it back to England, married his wife, and found his calling as a natural scientist. Disappointing.
Jul 02, 2009
Rea
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This was a really pretty awesome book! I don't really read much about charles Darwin because science just isn't my thing. I really love the author though so I decided why not? I was pleasently surprised at how it described his early life.
May 07, 2009
Pretty Odd.Angieee;(:
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This book is about Charles Darwin. It talks about his childhood. How he lived life and how he conquered going to school. He goes to Sherwsbury School, far away from his family. His mother died when he was eight years old. He now lives with his father and his sisters. they have limited food and trying to live life. Darwin is made fun of in school and he later gets revenge.
Mar 20, 2010
Hima
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This book is pretty good, because we learn about Charles Darwin, (you know...the Theory of Evolution) in a way that is unparalleled by any other book . It also tells about his life as a kid. Awesome!
Sep 21, 2010
Kendall
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I really liked this book by Carolyn Meyer a la Jane Austen. A great story based on true facts about "Charley" Darwin's one-time voyage on the RMS Beagle. Interestingly enough, he only took this one trip in his life and didn't think much of the Galapagos Islands while on the trip. A great historical piece that helps give the reader insight into Darwin's teen years and historic voyage.
Aug 20, 2009
Elizabeth
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I skimmed through this novel. I think a youngster would be extremely bored.
Mar 22, 2009
Paige
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A well written story about Charles Darwin, his early life, and the trip on the Beagle.
Dec 09, 2009
kelly
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WHile I understand this is not non-fiction, I was surprised to find out the backstory of Charles Darwin. I grew to like this character.
Apr 11, 2009
Dixie
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The story of Charles Darwin as a boy to a man.
It was okay, as far as stories go, but my own imagination would have come up with far more for his life.
It had a good beginning, but was disappointing as the book progressed.
Overall, I found that the author didn't make me care about the characters, and I could have put this book down at just about any point, not finished it, and not really cared.
It was okay, as far as stories go, but my own imagination would have come up with far more for his life.
It had a good beginning, but was disappointing as the book progressed.
Overall, I found that the author didn't make me care about the characters, and I could have put this book down at just about any point, not finished it, and not really cared.
Feb 02, 2012
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