Shakespeare's Secret

Shakespeare's Secret is a fun read. In my opinion, that's the most important thing for a kids book.The characters are interesting. I identified with Hero, the 6th grade girl who never quite fits in anywhere. I suspect most preteen girls will understand that feeling as well. I never had as cool of an adventure, as she does, though!Hero and her older sister Beatrice move into a house with a mystery. Hero finds out about the diamond rumored to be hidden somewhere in it from the elderly next door neighbor, and sets out to find it. She runs into Danny, a very cool 8th grader, at her neighbor's house and he joins in the hunt.Along the way, Hero learns about the necklace the rumored diamond comes from, which leads to some historical research show more and discovery. I think that the nuggets of information about Anne Boleyn, Edward de Vere, and about Shakespeare in general will whet the appetite of readers, so when they run into more in depth discussions elsewhere they will be more likely to pay attention.The other thread of the storyline has to do with Hero starting at a new school, and (once again) being teased due to her name. Beatrice (as usual) has a much easier time. There is some interesting insight into what is needed to fit in, and further, to be popular, and the tradeoffs involved.I think this book will appeal to girls and some boys from ages 10-12 or so. show less

Moving to a new school can be tough for any kid, and sixth-grader Hero finds the only thing that gets her through the first few miserable weeks is the promise of finding a million-dollar diamond hidden somewhere in her new house, a diamond that may also be key to answering the question: “Who is the real Shakespeare?” In this treasure hunt meets history mystery, Broach paints the theories surrounding Shakespearean authorship with a light touch. History and literature mix easily into the contemporary storyline without overwhelming it, and the thread of the mystery remains strong throughout. While certain subplots and the final connection between Shakespeare and the diamond may feel contrived, young readers will still enjoy this novel show more for its compelling premise, and teachers will find it a useful introduction to Shakespearean authorship. Readers who enjoyed Broach’s more recent Masterpiece (2008) or Blue Balliett’s Chasing Vermeer series may wish to check this title out. Recommended for readers ages eight to twelve. show less

On the first day of Sixth grade, in a new to town, Hero is teased about her name being the same as a classmate's dog, so instead of trying to make friends with kids at school, she strikes up a friendship with her elderly neighbor and is quickly embroiled in a mystery to find a million dollar diamond. The characters are well developed and the mystery is just complex enough to draw the reader in. My favorite part is how Broach connects the local mystery to a real life historical mystery. This might entice young readers to do some additional reading into the Shakespeare/de Vere debate.

Hero Netherfield's family has just moved to Maryland and she must start 6th grade at a new school. She doesn't make friends as easily as her sister, 8th grader Beatrice. Hero is teased relentlessly by her classmates on the first day of school. She is befriended by her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Roth, who distracts her from her troubles by giving her a mystery to solve. The previous owner of the Netherfield's house is rumored to have hidden a diamond there. Mrs. Roth introduces Hero to 8th grader Danny, the police chief's son, and together the three unlikely friends search for the missing diamond. Their search uncovers some unexpected evidence that could change opinions about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays.

I've loved treasure hunt show more mysteries since I was a child, and I enjoyed this one. I also enjoyed the literary references to Shakespeare and the Tudor and Elizabethan history that formed part of the plot, but I'm not sure I would have connected with these aspects of the book as a child. I always liked to read books about children who were older than I was, so I would have been reading about 6th graders in about 4th grade. By the time I was in 6th grade I wanted to read about junior high or high school kids. I didn't start reading Shakespeare until high school. There are also occasional references to adult themes that, if I understood them in 4th grade, would have made me uncomfortable. The book is recommended for 4th-10th grade. Some aspects of the story make it more appropriate for the older end of this age bracket, while the characters will have more appeal for the younger end of this age bracket. show less

Named after a character in William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”, Hero has been teased about her name her whole life and expects more of the same when she starts sixth grade at a new school in a new city. She does indeed get teased, but things aren’t quite as bad as she expected as she starts to make friends both young and old. Not only that but she finds herself in the middle of a mystery – there may be a diamond hidden somewhere in her house – a diamond that may hold the key to Shakespeare’s true identity.

“Shakespeare’s Secret” is a novel for children ages 9 – 12 that works well on several levels. Author Elise Broach has created a great lead character in Hero Netherfield – a sixth grader who is very show more unsure of herself and feels that she lives in the shadow of her older sister Beatrice. Hero is a very real, if flawed, character, as she is sometimes her own worst enemy. Broach doesn’t sugar coat anything – the bullying Hero faces is very real and her friend Danny does some questionable acts. While the main mystery does involve the missing diamond (and it is fun to read as Hero and Danny search for the diamond), there is a secondary mystery involving Danny which is interesting, if a little bit too conveniently wrapped up. Mixed in with all of this are little lessons about Shakespeare and history that are so nicely woven into the story that young readers may not even realize they are learning something along the way.

“Shakespeare’s Secret” is not only a good mystery, but a good novel about a young girl who not only learns about Shakespeare, but how to deal with bullying, and what friendship is all about. Well done. show less

I am so happy that I stumbled upon Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach. I was drawn to the cover because it looked mysterious and interesting. Not only was there suspense and action, but I learned a lot about history and Shakespeare along the way. I am now fascinated by Shakespeare and am curious about whether or not he really did write the books he is credited with writing. I guess I will have to do some research! Who knew there was so much debate about him? I think Hero is a character that many kids can relate to because she is down to earth and feels like she doesn’t fit in all the time. I like that she is kind to people of all ages, because that is important. I think this book is great for anyone in 4th grade and up. With the show more references to Shakespeare and some of the vocabulary it could be hard for a 3rd grader to read on their own, but I think they would enjoy reading it with an adult. show less

I thought this book was entertaining but not the best young adult book I have read. It was an interesting look at a 12 year old girl's life who's father is a professor of Shakespeare. Her parents gifted her with Hero as a name which although popular amongst Shakespeare fans not so popular in school. The family recently moved to a new city and Hero finds herself friendly with an elderly woman next door who tells her a story about a missing diamond (rumored to be in the house Hero and her family now occupy) and a connection to Anne Boleyn.

I thought the history was interesting. Supposedly the necklace that the diamond was originally set into most likely belonged to Anne Boleyn at one time and was handed down through the generations to the show more woman who used to live in the house Hero's family bought. What I thought was even more interesting was that I never heard the rumors that perhaps William Shakespeare didn't write his works at all. In this book Edward de Vere was discussed a lot and the rumors that he may have been Elizabeth I's illegitimate son and he may have been the writer behind all of Shakespeare's work. Like I said it was very interesting and I enjoyed that part of the book completely. The necklace part of the story was completely invented by Broach according to her notes found in the book but the other information on the speculation of Shakespeare identity is quite true.

I didn't like that the mystery of the million dollar diamond was solved by 2 children age 12 and 14. What kind of inept police department does that city have that after scouring the house looking for the diamond the police give up but 2 children find it in about an a couple of hours. Granted the children had a clue that the police didn't have but still.
If it weren't for that unfortunate issue this book would actually be very good. This book is a young adult novel but is very good for children younger. Anywhere from 10 I would say. There are no adult themes whatsoever but does have some bullying name calling (no physical bullying) from Hero's classmates. 3.5 Stars show less