Fakespeare: Something Stinks in Hamlet (hardcover) NEW

Three kids get lost inside Shakespeare’s book and must help Hamlet finish his story in order to return home in this silly middle school series!

Dear Reader,

You are reading this because you expressed interest in the Get Lost Book Club.

Get ready to take a journey through time to a really smelly place known as Denmark. There, an evil uncle is trying to dethrone a prince who sees ghosts. Moat serpents will try to eat you. There may be a few sword fights, and a haunted graveyard. Your only allies are the world’s most reluctant reader, Kyle Word, his annoying neighbor, Halley, and his baby brother, Gross Gabe. Help them defeat Uncle Claudius and make it to the end of the story, or you’ll be trapped in Hamlet forever!

Intrigued? Worried? Downright terrified? You should be. But if you’re ready for an adventure, step right up and follow me. It’s time to get lost in Fakespeare: Something Stinks in Hamlet.

From School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—What do rotten tomato fights, moats filled with venomous snakes, and secret stink bombers have in common with Shakespeare? Castle's new series transports a group of unassuming kids into different Shakespearean tales, providing intrigue, adventure, and loads of humor. In Something Stinks, Hallie, Kyle, and Kyle's baby brother find themselves captive in a castle surrounded by a vicious stench, only to be rescued by Hamlet. Together, they plan to overthrow Hamlet's evil uncle and end up discovering a real ghost. In Starcrossed, Becca and Sam meet Romeo Montague, whose family members are feuding with the Capulets over stolen cheese and a dough recipe, preventing either family from making pizza. Sam and Becca must create a romantic chance meeting for Romeo and Juliet and solve the case of the missing ingredients. Both titles are lighthearted and witty introductions to classic Shakespearean tales. Curious students familiar with Shakespeare's name will be drawn to the quirky characters and absurd stories. The fast-moving plots are enhanced by simple dialogue and language, making them perfect for reluctant readers. Students will be pulled in by Jennewein's comic-inspired illustrations. However, it is important to note that young readers will likely fail to pick up on the amusing references to, and twists on, the original works. VERDICT A unique purchase for larger collections and where educators are looking to introduce Shakespearean tales to a younger audience.—Mary-Brook J. Townsend, Episcopal Collegiate School, Little Rock, AR

About the Author

M.E. Castle is a New York-raised writer and actor currently living in Washington DC. He is the author of the beloved Clone Chronicles, which introduced the world to Fisher Bas, his clones, a flying pig, and a large supporting cast of robots, aliens, and a very proper talking toaster. When not writing, he can be found performing the works of Shakespeare onstage, which has given him the expertise necessary to create the utterly scholarly and serious series, Fakespeare.

Daniel Jennewein has been drawing since kindergarten, where he could mainly be found drawing skulls and hooks, to the irritation of some adults. Currently, he works as a freelance illustrator and art director in Frankfurt. His books include the Fakespeare series (written by M.E. Castle), Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? (written by Audrey Vernick, 2010) Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums (2011), Chick-O-Saurus Rex (written by Lenore Jennewein, 2013).

• Language ‏ : ‎ English

• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages

• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 125010159X

• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250101594

• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years

• Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 660L

• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6

• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces