Shakespeare's Secret

Locations
Call Number: Y Mystery / Broach, Elise
On Shelf At: Downtown Library

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown Kids Books 4-week checkout	Y Mystery / Broach, Elise	4-week checkout	On Shelf

Named after a character in a Shakespeare play, misfit sixth-grader Hero becomes interested in exploring this unusual connection because of a valuable diamond supposedly hidden in her new house, an intriguing neighbor, and the unexpected attention of the most popular boy in school.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

History Mystery submitted by skcramer on July 15, 2013, 8:17pm Moving to a new school can be tough for any kid, and sixth-grader Hero finds the only thing that gets her through the first few miserable weeks is the promise of finding a million-dollar diamond hidden somewhere in her new house, a diamond that may also be key to answering the question: “Who is the real Shakespeare?” In this treasure hunt meets history mystery, Broach paints the theories surrounding Shakespearean authorship with a light touch. History and literature mix easily into the contemporary storyline without overwhelming it, and the thread of the mystery remains strong throughout. While certain subplots and the final connection between Shakespeare and the diamond may feel contrived, young readers will still enjoy this novel for its compelling premise, and teachers will find it a useful introduction to Shakespearean authorship. Readers who enjoyed Broach’s more recent Masterpiece or Blue Balliett’s Chasing Vermeer series may wish to check this title out. Recommended for readers ages eight to twelve.