You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
Kids figure out a mystery with historical clues and significance. I liked it a lot--quite similar to Chasing Vermeer, in a good way.
This book was interesting. I did like it and it gave me a new and weird perspective on Shakespeare. It includes a somewhat controversial topic: Whether or not Shakespeare can really claim credit for the writings which he has. In this book, the characters believe that he hasn't. I have heard many debates for and against this idea, and at this point, I have no opinion, but it was still really interesting. I liked this book, but it wasn't necessarily the best book I've ever read.
I think everything I know about Shakespeare still comes from this book.
Sunshine state reader
Sunshine state reader
Not a bad little story, but fairly predictable.
It is a very quick read, Hard to put down. Love the history in it. It was a mixture of The Davinci Code and Nancy Drew, I loved it because it makes you think.
a nice little mystery about a girl who befriends an old lady who lives next door to the house where the girl’s family just moved. the old woman tells her the secret of the hidden jewel in her new house. as the mystery unfolds, new evidence is found about even more mysteries! if you liked chasing vermeer, i think you’ll like this one too. it’s less complex and less code-breaking-y, but i really liked it.
i had to read this book for my childrens lit class. i kept putting it off. finally i ran out of other books to read i was like well i better get started. so i finally started it and i could not but it down. it had some twist and turns that i would not have thought possible. i really enjoyed this book.
3.5. I originally bought this book at a dollar store that had a decent selection of middle grade and young adult titles, so honestly, I wasn't expecting much but was hoping for the best, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Hero, named after the character from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, has just moved and is not happy about it. From prompting from her mother, she grudgingly introduces herself to the next-door neighbor, Mrs. Roth, who tells her the story of the mysterious Murphy Diamond. She suspects it may be hidden in Hero's house.
From that point on, Hero becomes consumed with solving the mystery, and along the way, she uncovers a possible link to Shakespeare's true identity.
I was an English major in college and had to take a course on Shakespeare. That was decidedly not one of my favorite classes. I found his plays to be difficult to understand because of the language, and analyzing his work was rather tedious.
But the diamond in question belonged on a necklace that Hero discovered belonged to Anne Boleyn and then Queen Elizabeth. That period of history was intriguing, as was the connection Elise Broach cleverly made between the necklace and William Shakespeare.
The mystery was well-established, and I didn't quite know where the author was going, which was a good thing. Her characters were well-developed, and Hero made some new friends throughout the course of the book, although I found it hard to believe an older boy would have hung out with her as often as he did.
A recommended read.
Hero, named after the character from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, has just moved and is not happy about it. From prompting from her mother, she grudgingly introduces herself to the next-door neighbor, Mrs. Roth, who tells her the story of the mysterious Murphy Diamond. She suspects it may be hidden in Hero's house.
From that point on, Hero becomes consumed with solving the mystery, and along the way, she uncovers a possible link to Shakespeare's true identity.
I was an English major in college and had to take a course on Shakespeare. That was decidedly not one of my favorite classes. I found his plays to be difficult to understand because of the language, and analyzing his work was rather tedious.
But the diamond in question belonged on a necklace that Hero discovered belonged to Anne Boleyn and then Queen Elizabeth. That period of history was intriguing, as was the connection Elise Broach cleverly made between the necklace and William Shakespeare.
The mystery was well-established, and I didn't quite know where the author was going, which was a good thing. Her characters were well-developed, and Hero made some new friends throughout the course of the book, although I found it hard to believe an older boy would have hung out with her as often as he did.
A recommended read.