Hurly Burly Macbeth Mayhem

LoveReading4Kids Says

Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 8

I knew I was going to like this book from the inscription…

To all kids who are so well behaved who are SO good at always doing the right thing…that no one notices them.

This is a wonderfully dramatic book based on the perfect pupil Beth, who is convinced she will again be the winner for the best-behaved pupil at the oncoming prize giving. However, the temptation is too great when she finds the headmaster’s diary with the prize winners written inside and is horrified to find she has not won at all. From then on, she is no longer Miss Perfect and her life is completely changed.

This is where the author weaves in the plot and characters of Macbeth in a humorous and clever way. Beth, like Macbeth, realized almost too late in her case, that villainy comes at a price.

For those familiar with the play there are clever links throughout, from the titles of the chapters to the various references such as the red ink spot on Beth’s hand, her inability to sleep, and the final twist - winning is all. What is so clever is that the story flows beautifully without any knowledge of the bard and is just as entertaining and readable. Indeed, the messages of loyalty and trust to one’s friends and the importance of being honest with yourself are important messages at any level.

It is a super story and will sit happily on my shelf next to my copy of Tripwrecked which was equally enjoyable.

Going back to the initial inscription, it is so true and you see it all the time in school, those that get noticed are the naughty, the bright, and those struggling. The middlemen, who coast along without causing any problems, behavioural or academic, are often quietly overlooked. It was nice to see this highlighted and recognised.

Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+

Reviewed by Rosie Watch
Rosie Watch has taken her childhood passion for literature from classrooms in Cusco to Chelsea.
More reviews by Rosie Watch

About Hurly Burly Macbeth Mayhem

Fair is foul and foul is fair ... bestseller Ross Montgomery returns with a laugh-out-loud, perfectly pitched introduction to Shakespeare's Macbeth.

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