THE TOTAL TRAGEDY OF A GIRL NAMED HAMLET
by Erin Dionne
Puffin Books/Penguin Young Readers Group
Hardcover: 9780803732988
Paperback: 9780142417485
Ages 8-12
304 pages
Eighth-grader Hamlet Kennedy has a complicated relationship with Shakespeare. She just wants to be a normal middle-schooler, but it’s a little hard given her first name (her mother and father thought about naming her Ophelia but decided it would be too much of a downer). As if that weren’t bad enough, Hamlet is mortified any time her Renaissance Faire-dressing parents (both Shakespeare scholars) show up at school. And now they’re likely to be stopping by more often since Hamlet’s younger sister, Desdemona, is going to be taking some classes at Howard Hoffer Middle School. Oh, did I mention that Dezzie is only seven years old? This math and science prodigy is ready to start college, except for the little details of never having taken art or music appreciation courses. That’s where Hamlet’s middle school --- and Hamlet herself, who has enlisted as Dezzie’s tour guide --- comes in.
What’s more, Hamlet’s English and history classes are embarking on an interdisciplinary “Salute to Shakespeare,” complete with assignments to create a scale model of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (Hamlet’s dad already has several in the basement) and to perform scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Hamlet never thought she had anything in common with her Shakespeare-obsessed parents or with her freakily talented little sister. But when Hamlet is singled out for the natural skill and fluency with which she reads the Bard’s immortal words, she starts to realize that she --- and not just her unusual family --- might be worthy of attention.
To top off Hamlet’s confusion and embarrassment, someone has been leaving cute little origami pigs (Get it? Ham?) in her locker. Is it a secret admirer or someone making fun of her? And how about prodigy Dezzie’s newfound “friendship” with popular girls Saber and Mauri? Are they really friendly, or are they just using Dezzie to get good grades? Complicating everything are rumors that Hamlet’s best friend, Ty, wants to be more than friends.
With THE TOTAL TRAGEDY OF A GIRL NAMED HAMLET, Erin Dionne further cements her reputation for understanding the trials and tribulations of middle school. Every middle schooler --- no matter how popular --- feels like an outsider at one time or another. Hamlet’s story --- as borderline absurd as it is --- dramatizes this experience in a way that will both seem relevant to young readers and have them thinking, “Thank goodness that’s not me!” The novel doesn’t become a total farce, however, since the love between the various members of Hamlet’s crazy family is totally genuine and realistic, despite their differences.
Hamlet’s story is definitely not a tragedy --- at least not in the Shakespearian sense --- but certain elements seem tragic to perceptive, sensitive Hamlet, especially under the daily pressure of middle school life. This tragedy is one that will have readers squirming --- and laughing out loud.
--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl
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