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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
very cute. poses the question of who really wrote shakespeare's plays, be it the bard or not. a fast-paced mystery wherein a diamond from a necklace (quite possibly owned by anne boleyn) has gone missing. brings about questions of personal identity and the ultimate question: "what's in a name?" indeed, a rose by any other name....
I really enjoyed this story. It centers around a sixth grade girl named Hero who has moved again to a new town. As she struggles to make friends, she befriends an elderly lady next door, Mrs Roth, who tells her the story of Hero's home. A missing diamond is thought to be hidden somewhere in the house. The police searched unsuccessfully four times yet a clue suggests it is there. As she searches for the diamond she befriends an older boy who aids her search. Together the two of them with Mrs. Roth make connections between the necklace the ancient diamond has come from to Anne Boylen, Elizabeth, and perhaps someone who could have been Shakespeare. The missing diamond is only one part of this tale.
Actual: 3.5 stars
I first read this book when I was 10 (almost 14 years ago!) and it helped me get out of a year-long reading slump I was stuck in. Rereading this brought me back to the classroom where I was so engrossed in the story that I didn’t notice I was supposed to start copying blackboard notes. Now I’m feeling all nostalgic :(
I first read this book when I was 10 (almost 14 years ago!) and it helped me get out of a year-long reading slump I was stuck in. Rereading this brought me back to the classroom where I was so engrossed in the story that I didn’t notice I was supposed to start copying blackboard notes. Now I’m feeling all nostalgic :(
I was charmed by this little mystery within a mystery. I love that there is a Shakespeare thread and a history thread and a school thread and a family mystery. It all works so well. Hero has moved into a new house and a new school. She is having a difficult time making friends. She does make friends with her next door neighbor, Mrs. Roth who is a grandmother type. Hero is made fun of for her name. Her parents named her after the play "Much ado about Nothing".
Danny shows up at Mrs. Roth one day and he is like the really cool kid at school. They start exploring the idea of did Shakespeare write Shakespeare and her dad is a Shakespeare scholar. They come up with some exciting theory and in the story, they prove it's worth. I had so much fun reading this story. The mysteries are wrapped up nicely and I won't spoil them here.
What I realized today thinking of this book is that I did figure most of the story out. I think when you get older and you have read a ton of stuff, it becomes easier to see threads the author is putting together and sorting out the logical direction of a story. It can be easy to get jade because as a reader, we don't get that surprise we got as newer readers. Even though I did figure things out, I still loved the characters and the mystery that was set up. It was all so fun and I enjoyed the read. I realized that what makes a book really wildly popular is that it can surprise even the most jaded reader with something new. So, it becomes for most people setting up great story lines and great characters and I feel this story did that.
I appreciate this little story. It makes me want to read 'Much Ado about Nothing' again too. I like the friendship that blooms between Hero and Danny and hero and Mrs Roth. I love the conclusion and it all feels so nice. I'm glad I found this before the library got rid of it.
Danny shows up at Mrs. Roth one day and he is like the really cool kid at school. They start exploring the idea of did Shakespeare write Shakespeare and her dad is a Shakespeare scholar. They come up with some exciting theory and in the story, they prove it's worth. I had so much fun reading this story. The mysteries are wrapped up nicely and I won't spoil them here.
What I realized today thinking of this book is that I did figure most of the story out. I think when you get older and you have read a ton of stuff, it becomes easier to see threads the author is putting together and sorting out the logical direction of a story. It can be easy to get jade because as a reader, we don't get that surprise we got as newer readers. Even though I did figure things out, I still loved the characters and the mystery that was set up. It was all so fun and I enjoyed the read. I realized that what makes a book really wildly popular is that it can surprise even the most jaded reader with something new. So, it becomes for most people setting up great story lines and great characters and I feel this story did that.
I appreciate this little story. It makes me want to read 'Much Ado about Nothing' again too. I like the friendship that blooms between Hero and Danny and hero and Mrs Roth. I love the conclusion and it all feels so nice. I'm glad I found this before the library got rid of it.
Hero has always hated her name. Her father is a Shakespeare scholar and she and her sister, the pretty and popular Beatrice, are named after character in Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. Hero is shy and doesn't make friends easily. She gets picked on a lot at school.
Hero becomes friends with her elderly neighbor, Miriam Roth and they bond over the mystery of the missing "Murphy Diamond," a large diamond that was supposedly stolen from the house where Hero now lives. A popular boy also helps in the search, but it is only when the diamond is found that the real mystery is solved.
The best part of the book is the interwoven relationships of the main characters and the realistic, if rather depressing, middle school where Hero goes to school.
Hero becomes friends with her elderly neighbor, Miriam Roth and they bond over the mystery of the missing "Murphy Diamond," a large diamond that was supposedly stolen from the house where Hero now lives. A popular boy also helps in the search, but it is only when the diamond is found that the real mystery is solved.
The best part of the book is the interwoven relationships of the main characters and the realistic, if rather depressing, middle school where Hero goes to school.
Hero has always hated her name. Her father is a Shakespeare scholar and she and her sister, the pretty and popular Beatrice, are named after character in Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. Hero is shy and doesn't make friends easily. She gets picked on a lot at school.
Hero becomes friends with her elderly neighbor, Miriam Roth and they bond over the mystery of the missing "Murphy Diamond," a large diamond that was supposedly stolen from the house where Hero now lives. A popular boy also helps in the search, but it is only when the diamond is found that the real mystery is solved.
The best part of the book is the interwoven relationships of the main characters and the realistic, if rather depressing, middle school where Hero goes to school.
Hero becomes friends with her elderly neighbor, Miriam Roth and they bond over the mystery of the missing "Murphy Diamond," a large diamond that was supposedly stolen from the house where Hero now lives. A popular boy also helps in the search, but it is only when the diamond is found that the real mystery is solved.
The best part of the book is the interwoven relationships of the main characters and the realistic, if rather depressing, middle school where Hero goes to school.
I remember reading this book when I was younger and I loved it!
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, especially the relationship between Hero and her sister. I was a little put off that the neighbor encouraged Hero and her new friend to sneak around her parents, but I’m old like that.
I liked this book! I read it through in one sitting, and enjoyed the characters. The plot seemed predictable at first, but managed to surprise me a couple of times. All of the historical figures mentioned in the book are true, so it was lovely to learn some history while the characters pursue their mystery. A fun read, and it kept me interested!
I love the dynamic between the two sisters, Hero and Beatrice; very realistic and a brilliant addition to the story. The parents are really cool classy characters too. All-around good writing!
I love the dynamic between the two sisters, Hero and Beatrice; very realistic and a brilliant addition to the story. The parents are really cool classy characters too. All-around good writing!