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The Young Reader's Shakespeare: Hamlet [Hardcover]

Adam McKeown (Author), Sally Wern Comport (Illustrator)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)


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Book Description

May 28, 2003 10 and upYoung Reader's Shakespeare
Introducing a new series sure to delight children, parents, librarians, educators, and critics:
THE YOUNG READER'S SHAKESPEARE.

"Your uncle?" Horatio said, startled by his friend's words. "Murdered his own brother? I don't believe it."
"You didn't believe in ghosts either," Hamlet said. "But there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. I tell you, something is rotten in the state of Denmark."

A dramatic and modern retelling of the classic drama with superb art throughout. Written by an outstanding scholar, this made-just-for-them Hamlet will foster in children a lifetime love of the Bard. The language is simple yet eloquent, and draws the children into the story with superb dialogue, vivid description, and careful attention to the flow of events. The skillful blending of Shakespeare's own lines with modern language and illuminating information enhances youngsters' involvement and comprehension. There's background on Shakespeare and the play; answers to FAQs, such as "Why isn't Hamlet sure if he can trust the ghost?" and a "Who's Who" of the characters. The story unfolds in awe-inspiring art, from full-page spreads to revealing details. Young Reader's Shakespeare is a powerful visual and reading experience.


Adam McKeown has taught Shakespeare, Renaissance culture, and writing at New York University, Clarkson University, and Princeton, and is currently a professor at Adelphi University in Long Island.


Sally Wern Comport has won awards from the Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts Magazine, Print Magazine, and Spectrum. Sally's recent books include: Brave Margaret, Skeleton Man, and The Great Expedition of Lewis and Clark. She serves on the faculty of the Maryland Institute, College of Art.


Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8--In this solid retelling of the Bard's most famous tragedy and best-known play, McKeown fleshes out the story of the dark and brooding prince of Denmark who wages a war of conscience over how to properly avenge his father's murder. All of the basics are here: the interwoven complications of the fast-moving plot, the multilayered characters, and many of Shakespeare's most famous lines of dialogue. As the author states, however, this is not a version meant for the stage, but rather one intended to be read; thus, it has to explain many details of setting, action, and thought that are normally discovered by seeing the play. Nevertheless, McKeown is generally true to the original and adds details in keeping with the approach of most productions. The tale concludes with a series of questions and answers that give some background on the characters and the plot. Comport's fascinating illustrations range from sidebarlike insets of characters or story details to full spreads that delineate the major scenes. Their generally somber tones and use of shadow suit the mood of the piece, but the highly stylized faces and poses may at first seem rather distorted. Less sophisticated than Bruce Coville's version, William Shakespeare'sHamlet (Dial, 2004), this longer retelling will be a good choice for those wishing to have the Prince's story explained in fuller detail and with more modern overtones.--Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  • Hardcover: 80 pages
  • Publisher: Sterling (May 28, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402700032
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402700033
  • Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,629,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
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4 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction, November 3, 2003
By 
G. Ulrich (Somerset, Ma United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Young Reader's Shakespeare: Hamlet (Hardcover)
My 11 yr old daughter caught the reference to Hamlet in Freaky Friday (Mom's day in daughters school) and was curious about the plot line. I didn't feel that I explained it very well, and saw this book and picked it up for her. She devoured it and was quoting lines I knew, but never would have remembered were from that particular play. This book gave her a strong grasp of the characters, plot line and key scenes. A couple of weeks later we rented the Mel Gibson version and she told ME who everyone was and we followed along in the book. Halfway through the movie we got out the full length version of the play to follow along with the dialogue to be sure we got all the words. I doubt my 11 year old would have had the interest in the play without the double reinforcement of the simplified book and then the visual of the movie. I can't wait for more in the series - Romeo and Juliet is next, but not out yet. I learned as much as she did. This is a series to follow.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars So good it kills me, March 4, 2005
A Kid's Review
This review is from: The Young Reader's Shakespeare: Hamlet (Hardcover)
Do you like books about kings, queens, princes, ghosts, and death? If you do, you should read Hamlet, by Adam McKeown, illustrated by Sally Wren Comport, a great fiction book. It is a retelling from the famous writer, William Shakespeare.

Hamlet is the prince of Denmark, and his father, the king, was killed earlier by the king's brother. He puts on a play about a king being poisoned by another king to see how Claudius, the king of Denmark, reacts. The king stops the play. Then, the ghost of Hamlet's father comes and tells Hamlet to avenge him. After lots of deaths, the other prince of Denmark, Laertes, challenges Hamlet to a fight. Laertes' sword is poisoned, and he stabs Hamlet. In the end, Hamlet, the king, the queen, and Laertes die.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books about battles. The author has a great way to paint a picture in your mind, like, "Hamlet could not help but chuckle at the ridiculous fop." He also has really good word choice, like, "When he comes, tell him that his antics have angered everyone in the castle." This is a book for all ages to enjoy!!!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Alas, poor Yorick!, August 23, 2011
This review is from: The Young Reader's Shakespeare: Hamlet (Hardcover)
This abridgement does a tremendous job with Hamlet, showing the "madness", showing the tragedy, and keeping some of the original language.

Turning the dialog of a play into sentences and paragraphs is not easy, but Adam McKeown has kept the flow of the story, including the spoken asides. The characters come through loud and clear. This is so well done.

Sally Wern Comport has created a handsome Hamlet and an unforgettable Yorick! The illustrations could not be better.

Includes a Who's Who and some context for the play.

For reading aloud, certainly 4th grade is not too young for this excellent story.
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