Shakespeare's Spy (Shakespeare Stealer) [Hardcover]

Gary Blackwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2005 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Shakespeare Stealer

Things are disappearing mysteriously from Will Shakespeare's acting company, and it looks like an inside job. Everyone's eyes are on Widge, the orphan boy turned actor, and former thief. Widge knows better than anyone that Shakespeare's plays must be protected at all costs. In order to prove his innocence and clear his name, Widge must learn a new role: spy. But can he dig through the suspects and skulduggery and catch the true culprit?

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-In this newest addition to the series, the apprentice Widge becomes a spy to determine who is stealing scripts of Shakespeare's latest play from the Lord Chamberlain's Men. After a loud argument, he pretends that the playwright has dismissed him and attains an acting position with the Admiral's Men. His talent for "swift writing" enables him to crack an encoded note that identifies the culprit. While describing Widge's frenetic activities, Blackwood shows the political and religious instability that prevailed due to Queen Elizabeth's failing health. The monarch is a prime supporter of Shakespeare's dramas, and the company members wonder what their fate will be after her death. Meanwhile, they attempt to rid their plays of any reference to Papists so no one will report them to the already insecure authorities. Widge and his friends love adventure; they venture into treacherous, forbidden streets to seek a mysterious and frightening fortune-teller and they taunt one another to cross the frozen river. Readers will identify with Widge's increasing self-understanding and integrity gained from his experiences. Blackwood's well-integrated plot and intriguing subplots ensure a fast-paced tale of Elizabethan England that fans of the earlier novels will love; the author incorporates historical details from the broad political scene to the minute social scene to give authority and excitement to the story.
Susan Cooley, formerly at Tower Hill School, Wilmington, DE
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. This sequel to The Shakespeare Stealer (1998) and Shakespeare's Scribe (2000) is narrated by Widge, an orphan boy who acts with the Lord Chamberlain's Men at the Globe Theatre. Widge, at the precarious age when his changing voice jeopardizes his ability to play women's roles, becomes infatuated with an older woman, Mr. Shakespeare's daughter, Judith, and begins to write plays in hopes of impressing her. Soon he proves his acting ability offstage by taking on a secret mission for his employers. Blackwood goes beyond mere costume drama here, bringing together actual people, events, and details of daily life from the period and infusing them with an Elizabethan outlook. In an appended note, Blackwood separates fact from fiction. Characters and themes from the earlier books reappear in this story, while the increasingly mature Widge grapples anew with his identity and his place in the world. With a more convincing portrayal of its period than most historical novels, this book is a solid addition to a rewarding series. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 281 pages
• Publisher: Perfection Learning (April 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756952166
• ISBN-13: 978-0756952167
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,031,067 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

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespeare's Spy, November 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Shakespeare's Spy (Shakespeare Stealer) (Hardcover)

I was drawn in by the first Shakespeare book by Gary - "Shakespeare Stealer" and was pleased to read more about Widge and his continuing adventures in this 3rd book - "Shakespeare's Spy." Gary Blackwood is an extraordinary writer and amazingly brings Widge and the other characters to life in this non stop, what's going to happen next, who did it, tale!! This particular book has many plots: who is stealing from Mr. Shakespeare? Will Widge write his own play? Will Widge get the girl? and more importantly, does he really want the girl?? and what about that fortune teller? Must read to find out!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The third (and final?) book in a truly enjoyable series, October 14, 2008

By 

Whitt Patrick Pond "Whitt" (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shakespeare's Spy (Shakespeare Stealer, Book 3) (Paperback)

Shakespeare's Spy is the third (and apparently the last) book in Blackwood's Shakespeare Stealer series. I would like to think that there might be more books in the future, as I have enjoyed this series quite a bit, but the events in this book have a coming-of-age feel to them as we see Widge having to confront the challenges of love and death, not to mention having to find a way to aid an old friend and to find out who's been spying on Master Shakespeare's troupe at the same time.

As always, Blackwood does an excellent job of working in details about life in Shakespeare's London and about life in the world of Elizabethan theater. And as he did in Shakespeare's Scribe, Blackwood here goes into even more detail about what goes into the writing of a play as Widge tries his hand at writing a play of his own. Using this, Blackwood also cleverly shows the reader at the same time how it is possible that not all the plays we think of as being Shakespeare's were necessarily his work. One of the things I like about Blackwood's books is that you learn things about the actual historical period in the process of an enjoyable read. The actual history in this case adds to the drama as Widge and his fellow players must deal with the impending death of Queen Elizabeth, under whose reign the theater prospered. They must wait anxiously to see whether her successor, James, will be a patron of the theater or, if the Puritans have their way, will have it banned as a sinful indulgence, putting an end to all theatrical performances and to their way of life.

Another thing I particularly liked about Shakespeare's Spy is Blackwood's use of a fortune teller who early on foretells what fate has in store for Widge, his friend Sam and his rival Sal Pavy. And just as Shakespeare often did, Blackwood cleverly shows that just because you've been told your fortune does not mean that you have correctly interpreted it, let alone that you will understand until it finally happens.

All in all, this third book is yet another highly enjoyable and educational read. My only regret is that Widge's tale is seemingly done and there won't be any other books to follow. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, October 5, 2004

By 

C. Carnevale "Children's Book Reader" (CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shakespeare's Spy (Shakespeare Stealer) (Hardcover)

This book was as good as the ones before it. The information laid out in the book was intriguing, especially the parts about the Papists and the queen's failing health. The author cleverly inserts Timon of Athens into the plot of the novel and a reappearance of a character in the first book occurs. I think overall it was well done!