Teen Novels that Take Their Inspiration from Shakespeare

        Shakespeare was a really important playwright and poet.  As you go through high school and college, you will run into Shakespeare .   Here are a few really good stories that are either set in Shakespeare’s time or make reference to some of his plays.  These novels give a glimpse into his life and his plays.

Enter Three Witches by Caroline Cooney

         Inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth, this novel follows the events of the play through the eyes of Lady Mary, the 14-year-old ward of Lord and Lady Macbeth.  After her father is killed as a traitor, Mary becomes vulnerable to the storm of ambition and violence that sweeps through the Scottish court. An engaging historical novel, laced with quotes from the play.

King of the Shadows by Susan Cooper

           In this time travel fantasy, Nat is transported back in time to Shakespeare’s London and the Globe Theater.  Although fascinated with Shakespeare, Nat fears he will never return to his own time.

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

            When orphan Widge joins an acting group in 1601 in order to steal one of Shakespeare’s plays for a rival group, he gets distracted by the lure of the stage.

Shakespeare’s Scribe by Gary Blackwood

            In this sequel to The Shakespeare Stealer, an outbreak of the deadly Black Plague closes the Globe Theatre. William Shakespeare's acting troupe sets off on a tour of England. Widge, the orphan-turned-actor, knows that he'll be useful on the trip, until a mysterious man appears, claiming to know a secret from Widge's past--a secret that may forever force him from the theatre he loves.

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

           This is a funny, modern-day version of  Romeo and Juliet, in which the son of a mob boss falls in love with the daughter of an FBI agent.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

           Holling Hoodhood has to spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling—he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But he has bigger things to worry about: a bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights!

Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach

              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.

    All of these books are available in the Youth Services are at the Scarborough Public Library.   Check them out!

Happy reading,
Connie