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Overview
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?
The winter of 1602 brings many changes for Widge, a young apprentice at London's Globe Theatre, as he becomes infatuated with Shakespeare's daughter Judith, attempts to write a play, learns more about his past, endangers himself to help a friend, acquires a new identity, and finds a new purpose in life.
Synopsis
Intrigue, betrayal, and romance surround Widge as we find him back in London and at the center of things, as usual. Queen Elizabeth, Shakespeare's patron, has died, but the new king and his queen love drama-on stage and off. Shakespeare has begun a new play about political intrigue, but real intrigue is close at hand. Someone is stealing from the company, and Shakespeare's scripts must be guarded at all costs-including the one he has given up on and turned over to Widge to finish. Widge finds the glory of being a playwright appealing, especially when there's a pretty girl to impress. But spying is even more exciting!
Readers swept up in the first two adventures about Widge and Shakespeare's players will be enthralled yet again by this third tale with its dramatic twists and turns and an ending worthy of the Bard himself.
Publishers Weekly
In the third book in the Shakespeare Stealer series, Shakespeare's Spy by Gary Blackwood, the past seems inescapable for young theater apprentice Widge. Having been a suspect in the series' debut book when Widge was sent to steal the script for Hamlet, he again falls under suspicion with a string of thefts involving Mr. Shakespeare's scripts. The only way to clear his name is for Widge to spy on the rival company and find the real thief. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
In the third book in the Shakespeare Stealer series, Shakespeare's Spy by Gary Blackwood, the past seems inescapable for young theater apprentice Widge. Having been a suspect in the series' debut book when Widge was sent to steal the script for Hamlet, he again falls under suspicion with a string of thefts involving Mr. Shakespeare's scripts. The only way to clear his name is for Widge to spy on the rival company and find the real thief. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.VOYA
Based on speculation that Shakespeare's Timon of Athens is the rough draft of an abandoned play, this novel is a convincing commixture of historical fact and fiction that proves as entertaining as its series predecessors, which began with The Shakespeare Stealer (Dutton, 1998/VOYA August 1998). In the winter of 1602-03, as Queen Elizabeth's health fails, competition escalates among London's theater companies, and life becomes increasingly complicated for Widge, an apprentice in Shakespeare's troupe. As in many of the Bard's own plays, subplots abound, and readers are treated to a suspenseful drama: Who is spying on Shakespeare's company? Will Widge finish Timon of Athens and win the affections of Shakespeare's daughter? Will Julia return from France? Which of La Voisin's predictions will come true? The skilled synthesis of historical details, believable characters, and exciting plot lines creates a story that is satisfying both as historical fiction and mystery. Readers will relate to Widge, who matures as he experiences first love and confronts adolescent uncertainty. Archaic terms used to simulate Elizabethan dialogue might prove challenging for some, but few readers will be unduly plagued by unfamiliar vocabulary. Instead most will close this book hoping for a timely sequel to discover if Widge becomes a renowned actor or playwright. Series devotees will also enjoy Susan Cooper's King of Shadows (McElderry/S & S, 1999/VOYA December 1999) and J. B. Cheaney's The Playmaker (Random House, 2000) and The True Prince (Knopf, 2002), while budding Shakespearean scholars will find Lynne Kositsky's A Question of Will (Roussan, 2000/VOYA October 2001) an intriguing deliberation of Oxfordiantheory. VOYA Codes: 4Q 4P M (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2003, Dutton, 281p., Ages 11 to 14.—Sherry Korthals
Children's Literature
Widge is an apprentice with Shakespeare's company. His exciting story of love, intrigue, survival and death vividly portrays events in a theatrical company during uncertain times. As Queen Elizabeth I lies on her deathbed, all theaters are shut down. Will they reopen under the new king, James I? After all, he comes from Scotland where there are no theaters. When the uncertainty leads to intrigue, Widge becomes a spy to see who is undermining Shakespeare's company. Widge, who was highly praised for playing Ophelia, has more talents than acting. He is skilled in writing a form of shorthand that allows him to take down dialogue for plays as Mr. Shakespeare dictates it. When Widge confesses his wish to be a playwright, Mr. Shakespeare gives him a partial manuscript that he has cast off. Widge struggles to finish it and it ends up being published, under Mr. Shakespeare's name. Mr. Blackwood deftly weaves accurate historical background and details throughout his intriguing tale. He includes just enough background to effectively set the scene, but not so much as to bore any reader. An author's note at the end defines the fact and fiction in the book. This is the third book in the "Shakespeare Stealer" series. The previous books have won numerous awards and surely this one will, as well. For those who are eager to read more about apprentices in Shakespeare's company, J. B. Cheaney also has an excellent series about the boys who played the female roles. 2003, Dutton's Children's Books, Ages 9 to Adult.— Janet Crane Barley