Great Historical Fiction Title for Young Adult Readers

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	• The Shakespeare Stealer Gary Blackwood Puffin, 2000 - 224 pages average customer review:based on 49 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Excellent read

My students read this for their literature club at school. It was definitely one of their favorites. Several told me they read the book in one afternoon!

Great historical adventure story

This is a well-written adventure story for children ages 11 and up. It does an excellent job of immersing the reader in 16th century England, mostly London. The dialogue contains enough hints of old English dialect to feel real, but is easy to understand. It was fun to read about what life might have been like for an apprentice at the Globe theater, working with Shakespeare. There are enough sword fights and adventure to keep boys interested. I would have liked more details about Widge's moments on stage, how it felt to become an actor, etc. The story is told almost entirely from back stage, and it would have been exciting to have been inside Widge's heart and head while he was on stage. What did he see in the audience, etc? But a fun book, nonetheless, and I recommend it.

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Theatre and Language of England

This novel for young teens and its sequels follow the adventures in theatre and language of a boy named Widge. Those readers with an interest in theater, history, weaponry, England or linguistics will find this especially interesting. The names of streets and buildings will be familiar to those who have read other novels of London. Though some events are harsh, I found this quite appropriate for my son to read. Those who enjoyed reading this story of a boy in theatre might also like reading the similar adventures of a girl in choir in the historical novel A Murder for Her Majesty by Alice Hilgartner. The Shakespeare Stealer is recommended.

This is the first of a series that includes Shakespeare's Scribe and Shakespeare's Spy. All three are in the single-volume hardcover The Shakespeare Stealer Series. The series should be read in order. The Shakespeare Stealer is a complete novel and does not leave you hanging while you scramble to find the sequel.

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Great Historical Fiction Title for Young Adult Readers

This novel is a terrific example of historical fiction. The author blends true and fictional elements in a stirring and adventure filled story. The author ingeniously uses the spelling and language usage of the time to lend credibility to the characters and the setting. The characters presented are round and dynamic. The protagonist, Widge, undergoes the maturation of a typical adolescent attempting to form his or her identity. Other characters develop in their own way, each with their own distinct personality and desires. The author places authentic historical characters as well, Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth. These characters are also historically accurate. The queen's white make up and Shakespeare's personal tragedies are described precisely. The main conflict is an internal one, Widge must decide if he should steal the play or remain among his new friends. His predicament mirrors Hamlet's `to be or not to be' dilemma. This struggle is universal and relevant to modern day readers. This book will appeal to readers who are interested in the time period, Shakespeare, theater or an exciting, well-told story. Another high point of this book is the use of humor, both lowbrow slapstick and highbrow allusions and word play. The themes of choosing right from wrong, finding your identity, racism and gender issues are all explored throughout this rich novel. A teacher may use this book as an introduction for the life and times of Shakespeare as well as any of his plays. The Shakespeare Stealer is a highly entertaining and rich look into the past.

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Interesting historical fiction

"The Shakespeare Stealer" is basically a Shakespeare based historical fiction young adult novel. It's light, exciting, and fun.

The story is about an orphan boy who learns to write in a fast, secret code. He is taken from his master to a man and is told that he is to work for this new man with his talent. Widge is told to attend a play by Shakespeare and record every word heard, then return it to his new master, who will in turn sell the rights to the play, earning money that should go to Shakespeare.

Widge encounters difficulties, and ultimately joins forces with the actors. From then on, the story becomes a bit more complicated, but still maintains the simple, fun feel throughout.

There's some action in this book, some excitement, and some interesting historic facts. But on the whole, it's simply a story. The characters aren't nearly as engaging as one would hope, and on the whole the story has its aspects of disbelief and improbability.

An interesting, fun read, but not particularly amazing. Good.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Widge is an orphan with a rare talent for shorthand. His fearsome master has just one demand: steal Shakespeare's play "Hamlet"--or else. Widge has no choice but to follow orders, so he works his way into the heart of the Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's players perform. As full of twists and turns as a London alleyway, this entertaining novel is rich in period details, colorful characters, villainy, and drama.

"A fast-moving historical novel that introduces an important era with casual familiarity." --School Library Journal, starred review

Awards:
( An ALA Notable Book
( An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
( An NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
( A Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book
( A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
( A Child Study Children's Book Committee Best Children's Book of the Year

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