Shakespeare's SecretElise Broach
Square Fish (August 21, 2007)
Hero and Beatrice’s father loves everything Shakespeare. The kids at school are not so interested in the fact that Hero’s name was taken from Much Ado About Nothing – and Hero herself is not really that interested either. Moving to a new town doesn’t help her attitude, nor does the fact that Beatrice is more socially adept than she is.
“My dad always says, some people will treat you badly and you can’t help that. But how you handle it, and how it makes you feel, that’s up to you.”
Hero soon befriends her elderly next door neighbor and, surprisingly, Danny, a popular boy at school two years older than her. Danny and Hero soon become involved in an old mystery involving a diamond and the new house of Hero’s family. With apparent connections between Anne Boleyn, Shakespeare’s plays and Queen Elizabeth I the reader gets a little history lesson without even noticing.
This novel strikes a good balance between history, coming-of-age and mystery that will appeal to all. The only minor objection regards Hero and her parents. Hero is not completely honest with her parents about some of her actions but does eventually learn her lesson and reconcile her behavior with her parents.
“Being popular is hard?”
“Yes, it’s hard. Everybody’s watching you all the time, and you don’t feel like yourself anymore…I couldn’t raise my hand. [to answer a question she knew about Shakespeare]…I’m not the smart one who knows Shakespeare. Or if I am, I can’t be friends with Kelly…You would hate it. You….have to change too much about yourself.
“My dad always says, some people will treat you badly and you can’t help that. But how you handle it, and how it makes you feel, that’s up to you.”
Hero soon befriends her elderly next door neighbor and, surprisingly, Danny, a popular boy at school two years older than her. Danny and Hero soon become involved in an old mystery involving a diamond and the new house of Hero’s family. With apparent connections between Anne Boleyn, Shakespeare’s plays and Queen Elizabeth I the reader gets a little history lesson without even noticing.
This novel strikes a good balance between history, coming-of-age and mystery that will appeal to all. The only minor objection regards Hero and her parents. Hero is not completely honest with her parents about some of her actions but does eventually learn her lesson and reconcile her behavior with her parents.
“Being popular is hard?”
“Yes, it’s hard. Everybody’s watching you all the time, and you don’t feel like yourself anymore…I couldn’t raise my hand. [to answer a question she knew about Shakespeare]…I’m not the smart one who knows Shakespeare. Or if I am, I can’t be friends with Kelly…You would hate it. You….have to change too much about yourself.
Rating: Borrow
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