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bethlee's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thegrandr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mssweenlsn's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ashnoble's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
aylea's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Selby would rather watch TV than do homework, which she does until her parents notice and punish her by making her work with a tutor. That tutor insists she reads Hamlet, but neither of them expect to find themselves in the play itself, spending time with Hamlet.
For a book about how amazing reading is, this book is so boring. I’m not sure how you can make hanging out with Hamlet so dull, but somehow this book managed it.
The dialogue is weak and strange. People don’t talk like the kids do in this book. There’s a lot of strange banter that . Their actions don’t fully make sense. A lot of what’s happening in Hamlet has to be explained by her tutor, and that somehow makes Hamlet seem much less interesting than it is. This book might have been better if Selby was younger because her being 16 and this infuriating made the book feel more aggravating. The book in general feels like it should have been middle grade instead of YA. I think a ten-year-old is more likely to enjoy this than a fifteen-year-old.
The plot doesn’t completely make sense. Why does Selby travel to Hamlet specifically and not other books? How did she manage to not turn in homework for months? Why are her parents, supposedly smart people, more clueless even than the average parent in 90s cartoons? What on earth was that ending? How were Hamlet and Selby able to understand each other when they speak such different varieties of English?
However, the book had some funny lines. I liked the unique take on Hamlet and the ideas, even if I didn’t like the execution.
I’m usually such a sucker for books where the point is how wonderful reading and words are. This book did manage to convince me how important it is to use them well because this book doesn’t.
For a book about how amazing reading is, this book is so boring. I’m not sure how you can make hanging out with Hamlet so dull, but somehow this book managed it.
The dialogue is weak and strange. People don’t talk like the kids do in this book. There’s a lot of strange banter that . Their actions don’t fully make sense. A lot of what’s happening in Hamlet has to be explained by her tutor, and that somehow makes Hamlet seem much less interesting than it is. This book might have been better if Selby was younger because her being 16 and this infuriating made the book feel more aggravating. The book in general feels like it should have been middle grade instead of YA. I think a ten-year-old is more likely to enjoy this than a fifteen-year-old.
The plot doesn’t completely make sense. Why does Selby travel to Hamlet specifically and not other books? How did she manage to not turn in homework for months? Why are her parents, supposedly smart people, more clueless even than the average parent in 90s cartoons? What on earth was that ending? How were Hamlet and Selby able to understand each other when they speak such different varieties of English?
However, the book had some funny lines. I liked the unique take on Hamlet and the ideas, even if I didn’t like the execution.
I’m usually such a sucker for books where the point is how wonderful reading and words are. This book did manage to convince me how important it is to use them well because this book doesn’t.
kt01's review against another edition
3.0
An imaginative and easy to understand introduction to Shakespeare and Hamlet. Perfect for anyone who struggles with reading.
Not a perfect book by any means - plot points that get skipped over or aren’t believable, and while I get the moral side to Selby’s character, not sure the story’s ending should have been so influenced to change…
“A book can be a way of taking a holiday from yourself, stepping into someone else’s shoes.” P160
“Who knew words could have so much power” p199
Not a perfect book by any means - plot points that get skipped over or aren’t believable, and while I get the moral side to Selby’s character, not sure the story’s ending should have been so influenced to change…
“A book can be a way of taking a holiday from yourself, stepping into someone else’s shoes.” P160
“Who knew words could have so much power” p199
gettheetoalibrary's review
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The audibook was pleasant and welcome company on a recent road trip. I love teaching and Shakespeare and conversations about making those accessible- this book ceneting a reluctant reader tackled both in a spirited story
nrskelley's review
2.0
really had high hopes for this book. Honestly though, I had to force myself to not DNF it. Part of it might have been the horrible way the galley was done. With YA and AU and Penguin everywhere. It made it very hard to focus and read.
Other than that, the sentences were short and choppy. And without ruining the ending, I didn’t like how it spoiled the ending of Hamlet.
As a mother of a dyslexic child, I think that Selbys character could have been handled better. I found it very hard to believe that bookish parents wouldn’t understand and help her. Also, I would definitely know before my child hadn’t done homework in 2 years. Maybe a few months would be more realistic.
This definitely is more of a MA read and they possibly might enjoy it.
Other than that, the sentences were short and choppy. And without ruining the ending, I didn’t like how it spoiled the ending of Hamlet.
As a mother of a dyslexic child, I think that Selbys character could have been handled better. I found it very hard to believe that bookish parents wouldn’t understand and help her. Also, I would definitely know before my child hadn’t done homework in 2 years. Maybe a few months would be more realistic.
This definitely is more of a MA read and they possibly might enjoy it.
morainjay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Selby is failing all of her classes, and until further notice, she is going to be tutored by her brother's friend, Dan. There's no way this can go well, especially because Dan makes Selby read. Out loud.
But when Selby's reading aloud transports her and Dan into the book Hamlet, Selby really gets more than she bargained for. Hamlet is declaring his love for Selby. Dan is distracted by Ophelia. And all Selby wants is to not be involved. Until Dan points out that their being there is altering the story. Then Selby starts getting ideas of how this story can go...
If you're looking for magic world building, you will not find it here. But this book doesn't need it. Selby's compassion for everyone she meets, Dan's passion for reading, and all of their falling on the floor is enough to carry a hi-lo reader (or any reader!) through this fun Hamlet immersion. Whether readers know Hamlet or not, they will get to know him in Hamlet is Not OK.
But when Selby's reading aloud transports her and Dan into the book Hamlet, Selby really gets more than she bargained for. Hamlet is declaring his love for Selby. Dan is distracted by Ophelia. And all Selby wants is to not be involved. Until Dan points out that their being there is altering the story. Then Selby starts getting ideas of how this story can go...
If you're looking for magic world building, you will not find it here. But this book doesn't need it. Selby's compassion for everyone she meets, Dan's passion for reading, and all of their falling on the floor is enough to carry a hi-lo reader (or any reader!) through this fun Hamlet immersion. Whether readers know Hamlet or not, they will get to know him in Hamlet is Not OK.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Blood and Death