The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet

. The Total Tragedy of A Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne is something I could see crossing over from MG territory into YA territory, although the protagonist is an 8th grader, she's utterly charming and someone I find relatable, plus this book isn't dumbed down, never once did I find it to be condescending towards me, the reader.The Total Tragedy of A Girl Named Hamlet centers around, you guessed it, a girl named Hamlet. Basically she has a weird name, her parents are Shakespeare freaks, they actually walk around in Renaissance era garb. Oh, and her seven year old sister, Desdemonda is a genius and will be joining Hamlet in the 8th grade. ANGST! Ah, this book brought me back to eighth grade where I was embarrassed by things a lot show more stupider than what Hamlet deals with. I remember hating my name (April) because it was a month and not something normal like Jessica or Sarah. There were no cool nicknames my name could be shortened to either. Also, I remember dealing with mean kids and being embarrassed over not having the right clothes, or the right hair. Funny, how you grow up and that stuff just seems so insignificant but in eighth grade, well that's your world. And yes, I did occasionally find my family to be embarrassing. My mom would wear things in public which had me shaking my head. Don't get me wrong, I love my family, but self-consciousness was a huge issue. It's also something Hamlet had to deal with, as she had heaps of humiliation to combat.Hamlet deals with mean girls, sibling rivalry, a crush, and school woes. Yep. Middle school. I wish I had had this to read back then instead of Sabrina The Teenage Witch novelizations. One of the strengths of this novel lies in its portrayl of family relationships. Hamlet's parents aren't perfect. They often pick her sister over her. They don't get "it." However, at the end of the day they just want the best for their kid. They weren't invisible players in the storyline, which I enjoyed, as in a lot of the books I read, I hardly ever get to meet the parents.I would definitely recommend this to the middle schoolers I have interacted with, as this book is witty, charming, and a ball of self-discovery. Plus, I want to read some of 'ol Shakes work because of the heavy influence within the story. show less

Fieldnotes:
1 Eighth Grader Desperate Not to Stand Out
1 Genius Little Sister Single-handedly Destroying Her Bid for Anonymity
2 Kooky Clueless Parents

2 Hopelessly Unclear Assignments
Countless Class Periods that Last Five Minutes Worth of Dialogue
1 Unexpected Talent
1 Failed Math Exam Requiring Tutoring
Several Excerpts from Shakespeare of Dubious Relevance or Value
1 Excruciatingly Poor Choice of Example to Illustrate Iambic Pentameter

1 Milquetoast Love Interest
1 Super Secret Admirer providing Several Origami Pigs
Several Afterschool Special Style Sibling "Fights"
Several Middle School Humiliations

The Long Version
I really thought I would like this one more than I did - I have a definite affection for all things Shakespeare, but more than show more anything else, I found this book intensely frustrating. Over and over. In so many ways. It may just be too well-aimed at the No One Understands Me Age Group.

Class periods only lasted long enough for Hamlet to come in, have a snotty conversation and be saved by the bell. The villainesses' scheme is painfully obvious and everyone else is painfully oblivious - what kind of parents take the word of a sheltered home-schooled seven year old as to how things are progressing in the socially painful place of middle school rather than the middle-schooler's?

Plus for Shakespeare experts to choose certain lines to illustrate iambic pentameter where you have to cheat on the stresses to make it work (Seriously, it wouldn't have been Wea-VING spi-DERS come NOT...that makes no sense) KILLS me. There are SO MANY speeches where you don't have to cheat for it to work. Use one of those!!!

But - to end on a positive note: There were some nice moments with the therapist (once she finally goes) and some fun snippets about Shakespeare and contemporary artists. And I really liked how the secret admirer plot line finally turned out. Sweet. show less

I picked this up strictly because of the title and bright blue shoes with purple argyle socks. Well, I'm glad I did, because this was a super middle grade novel! Saddled with the name Hamlet, our heroine is entering eighth grade with it's usual stresses of friends, boys, math and finding one's place in the cafeteria. However, Hamlet's parents (Shakespearean scholars--deep into their research), decide that Hamlet's younger sister Dezzie (a child genius) needs the socialization school can offer and send her off to half days at Hamlet's junior high. The situations and emotions flowing through the story seemed very genuine and it was nice to see some parents, although distracted at times, portrayed as caring people who have some show more communication skills. show less

Hamlet Kennedy just wants to be a normal 8th grader. That can be hard though when her parents dress likes people from shakespeare in public! She also has to deal with her seven year old sister who is a genius who goes to the same school. When a shakespeare project comes up she tried her best to not let her parents know. And while dealing with that she is also dealing with regular middle school drama. When a boy named KC, a boy that annoys Hamlet likes her but she likes a boy named Carter that barely knows her and her best guy friend Ty might likes her to or that are the rumors going around. She also has to deal with the meanest most popular girls in school. Will she make it through her last year of middle school?

I really enjoyed this show more book. I think others will to. I found it cool that she was able to figure out very problem with out breaking down and how she survived with her little sister in her grade. I recomend this book to anyone. show less

A cute story, great for a middle level reader. Realistic characters who face not so everyday middle school problems. Funny, touching, and easy to read.

Hamlet Kennedy is an eighth grader and wants what every eighth grader wants, a normal year. This is not going to happen. First of all her seven year old sister is going to school with her half a day . Hamlet gets to show her around. Then there are Hamlet’s parents. They live the Renaissance Faire life every day. Hamlet doesn’t think anything can get any worse, but it does. Her English and History teacher have joined together in a :Salute to Shakespeare” unit. Someone is leaving her small origami pigs and she can’t figure out who it is. Her best friend Ty is afraid he will lose her friendship because she seems to be bugging out all the time. How do you teach your genius sister, who must now tutor you at school in algebra the show more social skills needed to survive middle school. It is funny, I didn’t really think I would like this book but figured out from the first page I just couldn’t put it down. This is one I really enjoyed. show less

All Hamlet Kennedy wants is to be a normal eighth grader. But with parents like hers - Shakespearean scholars who actually dress in Elizabethan regalia . . . in public! - it's not that easy. As if they weren't strange enough, her genius seven-year-old sister will be attending her middle school, and is named the new math tutor. Then, when the Shakespeare Project is announced, Hamlet reveals herself to be an amazing actress. Even though she wants to be average, Hamlet can no longer hide from the fact that she- like her family - is anything but ordinary.