Good Introduction to the Idea of Shakespeare

books:


	• Shakespeare's Secret Elise Broach Square Fish, 2007 - 272 pages average customer review:based on 24 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Good Introduction to the Idea of Shakespeare

I read Shakespeare's Secret aloud to my fifth grade class and they really enjoyed it. For many of them this was the first time they had ever even heard of Shakespeare (I teach in a low socioeconomic area), and now they at least have an idea of who he is, which will be helpful when they read his plays in high school.

There are really two mysteries in the book; the mystery of Shakespeare's two identities and the mystery of a missing diamond in Hero's (the hero of the story, named after a character in Much Ado About Nothing) new house. Along the way to solving the puzzles is normal adolescent issues; making friends, family relationships and harmless crushes. My students, because of their age and interest in Shakespeare, were mostly interested in the mystery that directly related to the diamond, although they eventually caught on to the connection between it and Shakespeare's true identity.

The one caveat I have is for the parents or teachers of younger readers; the concept of adultery is brought up in regards to Ann Boleyn and her relationship to the King. I knew ahead of time and just replaced it with slander, which is a much more appropriate concept for young kids.

for more information click here

good, but questionable

As an adult reader of young adult and middle-grade novels, I found this a compelling read. The historical background on Shakespeare, Anne Boylen, and Elizabeth I is fascinating, the action keeps moving along, and the characters are likeable. However, I am puzzled over the age of the intended audience. There are several adult themes presented: adultery and beheadings (with regard to Anne Boylen), the description of a wanton woman as one who sleeps around, infertility, and more. Yet the main character is a 6th grader! Young readers tend to prefer books about characters their own age or slightly older, yet I would hesitate to give this book to my 5th grader because of the flirtation with these themes. As a parent and former librarian, I think the best target audience would be 9th and 10th graders, yet the book is almost too simple and the characters too young to hold the interest of high schoolers. Perhaps this book is best left to adult fans of children's fiction.

for more information click here

Mystery Gem!

Shakespeare's Secret, by Elise Broach, is a great book explaining how a diamond came down through many generations. Hero, the main character, is starting 6th grade in a new school. She has the same name as a girl in the play, Much Ado About Nothing written by Shakespeare. She is teased about her name but not so concerned about it.

Hero's family is adjusting to the changes when... Hero's neighbor, Mrs. Roth, tells Hero there is a million dollar diamond hidden right in her own house. Hero is determined to find it. Hero pairs up with a policeman's son named Danny Cordova and starts investigating!

I loved this book because it was filled with adventures! Shakespeare's Secret is guaranteed to keep you up way past your bedtime!!!

for more information click here

JiTTeRbOx895's Review!

So, I picked up this book at my local library and it was so good! I read it almost two years ago and back then my reading level was a little bit better than a monkey, so this book is fairly easy to read. But that never takes away from the great thrill that it gives you to read it since it IS a mystery! Basically, we are taken into the Netherfield family's new home to be introduced to Hero. Hero is always the second prettiest in her family next to her older sister Beatrice. But this doesn't matter, she doesn't care about her looks. Hero is asked to take something over to their next door neighbor's house where she meets Mrs. Roth who is an old widowed woman that tells her old stories about the previous owner of Hero's house. Mrs. Roth tells her the infamous story about the missing Murphy diamond hidden somewhere in the Netherfiled's house.
Since we know that Hero and Beatrice are named after characters in Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing", we also know that other facts about Shakespeare will pop up along the story line.
Hero makes friends with one of the most popular middle school boys possible. Danny is let in on some unknown facts about the location of the hidden diamond, and soon Hero and Danny are setting off to find it.
During this story, I was into it so much that I read it in about one night. So read it people! The worst that will happen is that you put it down (yea right!) and stop reading it! Just give it a shot.
I hope you enjoyed this review and check out all my others!

for more information click here

Shakespeare's Secret

Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach is about a girl named Hero Netherfield. When Hero meets an old woman named Mrs. Roth, who has many stories to share, Hero learns that she lives in a house that possibly has a diamond hidden in it. The missing diamond belongs to a 500-year old necklace, with a mystery dating back to the time of William Shakespeare. This book is exciting and surprising. I loved it!

After hearing of this missing diamond, Hero and her new friend Danny are on a hunt to solve the Murphy Diamond mystery. With Mrs. Roth's help, Hero and Danny learn more about the history of William Shakespeare.

I liked this book because it occurred in the modern time and the characters are very real. Shakespeare's Secret is a great mystery!

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Starting sixth grade at a new school is never easy, especially when your name is Hero. Named after a character in a Shakespeare play, Hero isn?t at all interested in this literary connection. But when she?s told by an eccentric neighbor that there might be a million dollar diamond hidden in her new house and that it could reveal something about Shakespeare?s true identity, Hero is determined to live up to her name and uncover the mystery.

hot