The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

The Shakespeare Stealer Series: Book 1

Audience: 10 and up

Rating: B

Synopsis:

This is an interesting book that takes place in Shakespeare’s England. Widge is an orphan, who’s been trained in a special secret form of writing. When Widge is hired to steal the play Hamlet, he begins to wonder, for the first time, if doing what he’s been told and doing what is right are always the same thing. His dilemma is further complicated when he joins the theater group; can he betray the first people that he can call friends?

Chatter:

(Spoiler Alerts! ) This was good recommendation, Erin. I had never heard of this book and I’m glad you pointed it out to me. I like the blend of history and fiction in this book. It’s an unusual story idea, and it was fun to read about Shakespeare’s play from the perspective of within the theater.

I learned a lot about sixteenth century England without even trying. I had heard that girls were not allowed to act in the theater, but had never really thought about this until I read about Julian/ Julia. It seems so unfair that after spending so many years training only to lose her place because of Nick’s foolishness and a sexist law. I wonder if she’ll be happy or successful in France.

It was surprising to learn that Falconer/ Simon Bass were the same person. I guess that Simon Bass couldn’t walk around near the Globe for fear of being recognized, but it seems extreme that he hid his dual identity for so long and so well.

I didn’t like the dialect that Blackwood used. I guess it made the book more authentic sounding, but I found it very frustrating to try and figure out what Widge and the others were saying. Did anyone else have this problem?

This is the first book in the series, but it seemed like a complete story by itself. I’m curious to see what happens in the next two books.

Questions:

What do you think will happen to Julia?

Do you think Widge will become a good player?

How could the theater group protect their plays?

Keep reading!

-Paige

Buy The Shakespeare Stealer from Amazon