The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet

Eighth grade for Hamlet Kennedy isn't looking too great so far. Her genius seven year-old sister is in eighth grade WITH her, her parents are obsessed with Shakespeare, and a mystery person is leaving origami pigs in her locker!! This is a hilarious story that you just can't put down! Huzzah for Hamlet (the "huzzah" relates to the book). This is a MUST READ!!!!

Hamlet Kennedy has more problems that just her unusual name. Her parents are the kind of enthusiastic Shakespeare scholars who wear Elizabethan gear around town, cook authentic Shakespearean meals (pottage, anyone?), and disdain contractions as "commoner's speech." Meanwhile, her seven-year-old sister is so smart that she's ready to start college, except for some pesky art credits, so Desdemona is spending her mornings at school with eighth grader Hamlet. Hamlet is also flunking pre-algebra, trying desperately to avoid her class project on A Midsummer Night's Dream, and confused by the origami pigs that keep appearing in her locker. So far, eighth grade has not been a stellar year. The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet is a very funny book, yet moving at the same time. I caught myself laughing frequently at this book during silent reading time. The writing in this book is very witty, and Hamlet's absurd parents are deservedly the butt of many jokes. I also found myself really mad at Hamlet's parents during parts of this book for their selfish behavior. I read this book because I wanted to put it on my summer reading list, and I'm glad that I did. Although it's written for a younger audience than most of the books that I read, the novel really captures just how hard it can be to be fourteen years old. And though the overall book is funny, there are also very moving sections as Hamlet struggles to deal with her classmates, her teachers, and her family. This is one of those middle grade novels that really captures just how difficult those early teen years are. Middle school readers should definitely check out this book.

Hamlet Kennedy is starting the 8th grade. Hamlet's goal for the year is to stay under the radar both at school and at home. Unfortunately that is difficult to do in a family like hers. With parents that are Shakespearean scholars and a genius 7-year-old for a sister Hamlet's family is anything but ordinary. Right from the start Hamlet's school year is destined to ruin her. To start with, her sister Desdemona is starting the school year at Hamlet's school. She will be taking Art and a few other classes along with being supplemented in her education by various tutors. Hamlet's job is to help her sister navigate middle school for the first days until Dezzie(Hamlet's nickname for her sister) knows how to navigate on her own. Also Hamlet is mysteriously receiving origami shaped pigs in her locker. And to top all of that off the big project for the beginning of the school year is Shakespeare. The students will be performing A Midsummer Night's Dream. Hamlet attempts to hide that fact from her parents to try and keep herself from being further embarrassed by her family. Trying to protect her sister from being used(for her brain) by two mean girls along with trying to figure out who is giving her origami pigs in her locker and keeping her parents in the dark about what is going on at school Hamlet has so much stress that something is about to give. I thought The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet was so cute! I enjoyed it very much. I felt for Hamlet as she struggles to navigate her school life and her home life. A very delightful read!

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

Hamlet Kennedy is not your normal seven year old- she's a genius. And she's a genius who just ended up in her *sister's* 8th Grade class. With sister Dezzie on a tear, and her Shakespearean-obsessed parents... well, being themselves, Hamlet has a lot to deal with this year. By turns funny, touching and warm, Total Tragedy is a total joy to read- a delicious follow-up to Dionne's "Model's Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies."