WEREWOLF HAMLET

Can a werewolf-filled fifth grade Shakespeare production restore a boy’s relationship with his older brother?

Nothing seems to be going right for Angus Gettlefinger and his family these days. That’s why he’s determined to do a werewolf version of Hamlet for his class legacy project. With the help of friends and inspiration from bygone movie stars, Angus is sure that when 17-year-old Liam sees this play, his brother will realize that sneaking out to drink and do drugs makes him act like a werewolf. As Angus tries to hang on to his relationship with Liam and make his theatrical dreams come true, he also realizes that his parents’ financial woes threaten their family home in a Los Angeles suburb. Inspired by the author’s struggles with her son’s addiction, this contemporary story relies heavily on Shakespearean references, as well as knowledge of early- to mid-20th-century pop culture. Along with Angus’ first-person narration, scripts in which Angus converses with his idols, including Lon Chaney and Charlie Chaplin, provide insight into his thoughts and feelings. Middle-grade readers may have difficulty connecting with this content, however. The heart and humor of Angus’ story feels genuine, even when the plot and character development come across as stilted and one-dimensional. Main characters present white.

Discusses an important subject with heart and humor but struggles with uneven presentation.