core collection book for libraries, for middle school and junior high readers. Matt Berman, of Common Sense Media, rated this book a 5 out of 5 stars for ages 9 and up. The Christian Science Monitor has rated The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle number 1 of their "12 Best Books for Preteens". Awards The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle was a Newbery Honor Book in 1991. A member of the Newbery committee that year felt the book deserved to win the Newbery Medal and described the book as being about "a spunky young lady [who] goes from polite idealist impressed by good manners and gallantry to a realistic young woman who comes to terms with the complexity of the 19th-century society in which she lives". It won several other critical awards including the Golden Kite Award, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the Judy Lopez Award. The book also appeared on several notable or best-of book lists, including the ALA's Notable Children's Book, ALA's Best Book for Young Adults, and School Library Journal's Books That Shaped a Century. The book was not only popular with adult critics, but also children, winning several children's choice awards including the Evergreen Award, Massachusetts Children's Book Award, the Sunshine State Young Readers Award, and the Beehive Award. Film A film adaptation of the book was in development. It was written and would have been directed by Danny DeVito, starring Morgan Freeman as Zachariah and Pierce Brosnan as Jaggery. Dakota Fanning was originally cast as Charlotte Doyle, but had to drop out as production was continually halted and she eventually grew too old for the part. Saoirse Ronan was later cast, but the film was again halted because Freeman was seriously injured in a car accident two weeks before filming was scheduled to commence. DeVito returned to the subject in February 2013, saying he was looking for another young actress to star in the title role and scouting movie locations in Ireland. Shooting was supposed to start in July 2014. The release date is still classified as "TBD" without any new information as to whether it will be shot. References 1990 American novels 1990 children's books American historical novels Children's historical novels American young adult novels Novels by Avi Newbery Honor-winning works Golden Kite Award-winning works Novels set in Providence, Rhode Island Fiction set in 1832 Novels set in the 1830s Orchard Books books