Shakespeare's Scribe [Hardcover]

Gary L. Blackwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Danger, action, and mystery swirl around our scrappy young hero, Widge, as he returns to center stage in this book. The plague has shut down the Globe Theatre--forcing the troupe to take to the road. Excitement follows Widge at every crossroads: He faces a secret from his past, a sly new apprentice threatens to steal his roles, and the road back to London is treacherous. But there is a place for Widge in the troupe--right next to Shakespeare himself, who needs Widge to assist him with a new play commissioned by the queen!

Readers who relished Widge's heroics in Gary Blackwood's first novel about Shakespeare's players will be entranced yet again by a tapestry of drama, history, and nonstop high jinks. All's well that ends well in this new Elizabethan escapade.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Widge, the orphan who infiltrated the Lord Chamberlain's Men acting troupe in The Shakespeare Stealer, returns. Now a bona fide member of the troupe, he acts as amanuensis to the Bard (who has broken his arm) in the writing of All's Well That Ends Well. Ages 10-14. (Feb.)n

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-In this sequel to The Shakespeare Stealer (Dutton, 1998), Widge has become a "prentice" to the Lord Chamberlain's Men, Will Shakespeare's acting troupe. Besides acting many of the female roles, the youngster uses his skills in "swift writing" to decipher Shakespeare's scribbles and provide individual scripts for each actor. When the plague closes the theatres in London, the players take to the road, but uncooperative company members, brigands, fire, and hostile officials make traveling a challenge. In addition, Widge loses some key roles to an uppity new prentice and wrestles with his emotions as he meets a man who claims to be his father. Through it all, he learns to recognize his own worth and the importance of true friends, and this, of course, is the crux of the story. As with his earlier title, Blackwood has created a vivid portrait of Elizabethan England via wonderful period details, along with plenty of references to the plays and life "upon the wicked stage." The story is extremely well structured, with several interesting subplots; the chapters end at just the right moment, leaving readers eager to plunge ahead. The characters are well developed, with Widge being particularly memorable. The dialogue is realistic, and the humorous plays on words add another level of interest. An exciting, well-written tale that is sure to leave young thespians clamoring for more.
Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 265 pages
• Publisher: Perfection Learning (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756950708
• ISBN-13: 978-0756950705
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,699,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary L. Blackwood sold his first story when he was nineteen, and has been writing and publishing stories, articles, plays, novels, and nonfiction books regularly ever since. His stage plays have won awards and been produced in university and regional theatre. Nonfiction subjects he's covered include biography, history, and paranormal phenomena. His juvenile novels, which include WILD TIMOTHY, THE DYING SUN, and THE SHAKESPEARE STEALER, are set in a wide range of times and places, from Elizabethan England to a parallel universe. Several have received special recognition and been translated into other languages. He lives near Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first good sequel I've read, September 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shakespeare's Scribe (Hardcover)

From the beginning, this sequel to the masterful THE SHAKESPEARE STEALER bodes ill (literally), with grim references to the devastsating outbreak of the plague that swept London in the early 1600s. Widge is back, with a cast of other great characters, and together they perform a startlingly real and profound tale of finding ones self and ones true family when just finding money enough for your daily bread is difficult enough. As the Lord Chamberlain's Men tour Northern England, the hardships of the gypsy life soon became apparent. As the players were turned back from town after town, I became as frustrated and bitter as Widge. When Redshaw appeared, I began to hope for Widge that he wouldn't have to end up choosing between his blood and his adopted family. And as Sal Pavy (known with the two names side by side throughout the book) stole part after part from his peers, I was angry. Whether you enjoy a good adventure or a puzzling mystery, you will enjoy this book, which well lives up to its predecessor.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Adventure Story, January 31, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shakespeare's Scribe (Shakespeare Stealer) (Paperback)

When my twelve year old son recommended The Shakespeare Stealer to me, I put it aside for a while, but, gosh, my son doesn't recommend books very often to his English teacher mom, so I read it. The colorful characters and swift-moving plot kept me involved, so I was ready when my son handed me the sequel. I found it even better! Swordfights, the plague, and a mysterious, suspicious character enliven the plot. And Will Shakespeare himself has more of a role. What a fun and I must say educational (the dreaded E word) read for this age group! I'm ordering the next in the series today!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than the Shakespeare Stealer....., August 21, 2001

By 

Maira (Trenton,NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shakespeare's Scribe (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent read! IT is even better than the shakespeare stealer. After the plague becomes a threat to Lord Chamberlin's men they have to travel and preform plays in order to keep everything running. Sander decides to stay behind to take care of the orphan children and Widge goes. Widge however has a new threat. This new actor, Sal Pavy, who is as rude as anything is stealing all Widge's roles. Of course Widge is a good actor but is the new Sal Pavy even better? And to make matters worse Mr. Shakespeare breakes his arms and has to have Widge scribe for him. If Widge already doesn't have 2 much 2 do-- he also become a small physician for the Chamberlin's men since he was an apprentice to a physician, Dr.Bright, before. And then widge meets someone who claims to be his father. Is he really who he says he is? If so will Widge leave the company to be with him? This is a must read.