William Shakespeare's The Tempest by Bruce Coville

William Shakespeare's The Tempest by Bruce Coville, 40 page

The Tempest feels like a fairy tale, and this retelling reinforced that feeling. The illustrations look like oil paintings and are a treat for the eyes, giving the story a ddeliciously dreamy texture. 

Currently The Tempest is playing for this season of Shakespeare in the Park. The production is amazing and you should defintely go see it!

 

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet by Bruce Coville

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet by Bruce Coville, 40 pages

Romeo and Juliet is a play for adults about teenagers and this adaptation is for children, but I think Coville did a great job of shaping the story so that a younger audience can still appreciate it. I was curious how the suicides would be handled and while the acts are still present, it feels age-appropriate, or at least presented in a way wherein parents could deftly handle.

 

William Shakespeare's Macbeth by Bruce Coville

William Shakespeare's Macbeth by Bruce Coville, 48 pages

I was impressed with how tastefully all the murder of this play was approached. While still bloody in truth, Coville's adaptation of Macbeth is tempered. My favorite part of this retelling is the witches, but that's my favorite part of the play so take that as you will. 

 

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, 142 pages

I had seen this classic movie before, but had never read the play before.  Tennessee Williams does not disappoint.  I enjoyed the book almost as much as I enjoyed the movie.  Tennessee Williams brings the characters to life in New Orleans in the heat of the summer.  When Blanche comes to visit her sister, Stella, who is married to Stanley, harsh words are exchanged between Blanche and Stanley with a very pregnant Stella caught in the middle.  This is an unforgettable classic!

Manners Can Be Fun by Munro Leaf  (48 pages)

Teaches children that having good manners, at home, at play, and visiting, is both respectful and kind to themselves and others. When we have good manners people enjoy being around us. Obviously none of the information in this book is new but it does show by silly illustrations and descriptions the type of behavior not to display. 

Our Town: A Play in Three Acts by Thornton Wilder

Our Town: A Play in Three Acts by Thornton Wilder 103 pages

After reading the Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, I thought I would read another play.  I chose Our Town because I remembered reading it in high school.  Our town takes place from 1901-1913 and follow the townspeople, Dr. Gibbs, Mrs, Webb, George Gibbs, and Emily Webb.  Narrated by the stage manager, it tells the story of the townspeople's everyday life in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.  Told in three acts, the second act telling of George and Emily's Wedding and the third act revealing in death that people just don't see the joy in everyday life.

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, 105 pages

I became interested in reading anything by Tennessee Williams after visiting Calvary Cemetery in north St. Louis where Tennessee Williams is buried.  I had not known he was buried in St. Louis, nor that he had grown up in St. Louis.  Tennessee Williams grew up to become one of the most famous playwrights of all time. The Glass Menagerie was an interesting choice to read because the story parallels with his own life. The Glass Menagerie is a five character play that takes place in a gloomy apartment in St. Louis.  It is told from Tom Wingfield's prospective who lives with his mother, Amanda, and his mentally handicapped sister, Laura (whose most prized possession is her glass menagerie).  Tom finds himself not wanting to spend much time at home, between his job and going to the movies.  But, his mother is constantly harping on him to bring home a suitable suitor for his sister.  When he does finally bring home a suitor for her, fate does not work out in their favor.

Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat by Gary Paulsen

Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat by Gary Paulsen - 140 pages

Six kids are waiting out a storm in the school bathroom after school.  Six very different kids who are going to discover themselves and some new friends.  Six kids and a stuffed cat . . . .


This is the latest from Gary Paulsen.  I listened to it on audio.  It was a great short read for kids.  As an added bonus, the story was turned into a one-act play that was also included in the book.  While the play was interesting and would be easy for kids to do as a readers theater, I really liked the short story better as it had even more character development.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One & Two by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne - 327 pages

It's 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts that defeated Voldemort.  Harry Potter is now an overworked Ministry of Magic worker and his son Albus is starting at Hogwarts.  Both of them are to face a darkness that is appearing in the world.

This is the script of the play that is currently playing in London.  While it is interesting to see when Harry and other favorite characters are at in their lives, I did not really enjoy this book.  The plot really didn't make much sense to me, especially considering the epilogue given at the end of Deathly Hallows.  It seemed that what was an extremely close family that loved each other turned into a family that was pretty dysfunctional.  I think most Harry Potter fans will be disappointed in this book.

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare -- 265 pages

Beatrice and Benedict have been word-mouth-jousters for quite some time that it becomes natural for them in engage in a battle of wits every time they meet. Meanwhile Claudio is falling fast in love with Hero, who is Beatrice's cousin.
The Prince Don Pedro has returned with Benedict and Beatrice, but he has brought with him is brother, Don John, who has a crooked heart and is ready to stir up trouble.

I have not read a good deal of William Shakespeare, but I was able to enjoy this very much and read it several times this year. Much Ado About Nothing is romantic and hilarious, the best play by William Shakespeare that I've seen or read.

MSCHMITT-- Otis Loves to Play by Loren Long 12

 MSCHMITT-- Otis Loves to Play by Loren Long 12

Otis the friendly tractor loves to play and the animals love to play with him. In this quick story readers are taken a his daily adventures of ring around the rosy, follow the leader, and of course a rest to get ready for more play!

Can I Play Too?, by Mo Willems

  Can I Play Too?, by Mo Willems, 57 pages

I did not think this was the best of the Elephant & Piggie books, but it's always cute to see a new character appear.  It also emphasizes being creative and brainstorming, so that's... something.

A Big Guy Took My Ball, by Mo Willems

A Big Guy Took My Ball, by Mo Willems, 57 pages

Oh no, a "big guy" took the "big ball" that Piggie found.  Everything is relative in this chapter of the Elephant & Piggie series. 

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston, 327 pages

A fantasy romance about a long lost fae and the human-changling that falls in love with her (and of course she with him) while trying to save her life. Kelley is a wannabe actress that finally lands a leading role as Tatiana in an off-off broadway play when the main actor she's an understudy for disappears. She doesn't question things that would make normal people go 'hmm' and pretty much accepts everything she is told. So it's not too surprising that Kelley doesn't realize she is fae and only discovers that fact after one of the Janus guards, a mortal named Sonny, reveals her true identity. (Sonny is the human-changeling I mentioned in the first sentence). Then all hell breaks loose (literally) and more than just Kelley's life is in danger as the Wild Hunt is sent after her (and any human that stands in their way). I thought for sure the book would pick up at that point, but it stayed tepid. I think I struggled through it for the most part because the main character is so absurdly clueless. I am really disappointed that this wasn't an excellent read. The storyline sounded so good.