Author: Gary Blackwood
Publication: New York: Puffin Books
Pub. Date: 1998
ISBN: 0-14-130595-9
Pages: 216
Summary: Widge, a young, orphaned apprentice, is sent ot copy Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Hamlet, during a performance at the Globe Theatre. While he attempts to complete the task, he ends up being invited to join the Players as a theatre apprentice and must decide whether to obey his master or remain loyal to his friends.
Major Characters: Widge, Falconer (Widge's master), Sander (Widge's friend)
Comments: As an older reader, I found the book to be a little predictable. There are some typical elements in the plot, such as a girl pretending to be a boy, and another player who gets jealous of Widge and tries to make his life miserable. However, I can imagine that as a pre-teen, the story would be very exciting. Falconer is truly despicable, and so you can't wait to get to the end of the book to see what happens to him. The historical and theatrical facts are also well researched and interesting. It was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and the School Library Journal's Best Book of the Year.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 10-15
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