Werewolf Hamlet

December 1, 2024
Can a werewolf-filled fifth grade Shakespeare production restore a boy's relationship with his older brother? Nothing seems to be going right for Angus Gettlefinger and his family these days. That's why he's determined to do a werewolf version ofHamlet for his class legacy project. With the help of friends and inspiration from bygone movie stars, Angus is sure that when 17-year-old Liam sees this play, his brother will realize that sneaking out to drink and do drugs makes him act like a werewolf. As Angus tries to hang on to his relationship with Liam and make his theatrical dreams come true, he also realizes that his parents' financial woes threaten their family home in a Los Angeles suburb. Inspired by the author's struggles with her son's addiction, this contemporary story relies heavily on Shakespearean references, as well as knowledge of early- to mid-20th-century pop culture. Along with Angus' first-person narration, scripts in which Angus converses with his idols, including Lon Chaney and Charlie Chaplin, provide insight into his thoughts and feelings. Middle-grade readers may have difficulty connecting with this content, however. The heart and humor of Angus' story feels genuine, even when the plot and character development come across as stilted and one-dimensional. Main characters present white. Discusses an important subject with heart and humor but struggles with uneven presentation. (biographies, citations, author's note, resources)(Fiction. 10-12)

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Starred review from January 1, 2025
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* Displaying rare knacks for both lively classroom banter and sensitive portrayals of complex dynamics within a close but stressed family, Madden-Lunsford hands 10-year-old Angus Gettlefinger the challenge of convincing his reluctant teacher to allow him to perform a version of Hamlet with a werewolf cast. Why? Because as a classic "play within a play," it would allow him to act out his own intense feelings while mirroring what he sees his increasingly secretive, angry, drug-and-alcohol abusing teenage brother, Liam, becoming. Meanwhile, money problems force the four Gettlefinger sibs and their frazzled, underemployed parents out of their house and into a one bedroom apartment. The pressure mounts to crisis level when Liam fails to come home after one of his nighttime excursions, but a cathartic whirl of rash acts, straight talk, and, yes, onstage howling does ultimately lead to cautiously optimistic outcomes for Angus and his family. The author closes with resources for teen alcoholics and their concerned family members, but not before delivering a story that is rich in wise insights, comical and emotionally wrenching moments in turn, imaginary dialogues with Lon Chaney and other silent film era stars, and colorful quotes from the Bard drawn in large part from the online Shakespearean Insulter. Who says Hamlet isn't appropriate fare for elementary-schoolers?

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January 17, 2025

Gr 4-6-Fifth grade is hard, and it's even harder when you're convinced your older brother is a werewolf. Angus Gentlefinger, who is white, has always had a flair for the dramatics. Inspired by the historic nature of his LA home, Angus decides that his fifth grade legacy project will be a special production of Hamlet. But things are hectic in the Gentlefinger house. With three siblings and parents who are facing foreclosure on their home, Angus tries to battle the duties of his school assignments and his brother's ever-growing erratic behavior. Angus is tired of lying for Liam and never knowing which version of his brother he's going to get; a production of Werewolf Hamlet may be just the way Angus can show Liam how his actions are affecting others. Madden-Lunsford captures the wild imagination of childhood while tackling the hard-hitting subjects of addiction and powerlessness in the face of it. Angus's imagination allows him to cope with the current struggles of his life, including familial addiction and financial hardship. Readers dealing with these issues will find comfort in the book's optimistic ending. The dynamic play-inspired formatting, real Shakespeare quotes, and references to classic Hollywood figures are engaging and educational. Idealism and reality blend seamlessly here, and Angus's journey navigating his brother's growing addiction issues is powerful and poignant for all. VERDICT An emotional and engaging tale teetering the line between tragedy and comedy; this is a delightful addition to any middle grade collection.-Ashton Conley

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