Don't let the truly terrible, awful, and really really bad cover deceive you.

This book was actually wonderful. I had never heard of this book before, nor had I heard of this author. However, when someone mentioned that it was about a teenage boy being transported to Shakespearean times to stage a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, I was like "no need to say more" and downloaded it right away.

Since it's from the 90's, there are indeed some elements that felt a little outdated. Nevertheless, it addressed themes of masculinity and grief in an open and positive manner. Moreover, considering it's a YA book from the 90's, the writing was unexpectedly good. Honestly, this might very well be one of my favorite books of the year. I'm extremely happy that I read it.

I would highly recommend this book to others, despite its unappealing cover. It offers a unique and engaging story that explores important themes in a refreshing way.

This is such a truly wonderful book.

It was not just a childhood favorite but has endured and still stands as a cherished favorite for me even now.

I have an immense love for the historical imagery that Cooper so vividly paints. It is as if one can step right into that bygone era through the pages.

Moreover, the delicate relationship between Nat and Shakespeare is crafted with such finesse and skill. It is a relationship that unfolds beautifully, capturing the essence of friendship and mutual respect.

Overall, this is a fantastic Middle-grade read that has the power to transport readers to another time and engage them in a story that is both captivating and heartwarming.

It is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone, regardless of age, who enjoys a good historical adventure with a touch of magic and a whole lot of heart.

This book tells the story of a boy named Nathan Field who is going to play the role of Puck in the midsummer night's dream play with his theater team. But one day, in a strange way, he gets sick and when he wakes up from sleep, he finds himself in the 16th century. And in that time, someone with the same characteristics is also going to play the role of Puck, and these two people swap places in time. During this, Nathan meets William Shakespeare and the rest of the story unfolds.

What I found most appealing about this story was, first, the author's descriptions of 16th-century England. It was really an interesting subject for me, both in terms of culture, clothing, and the way people talked. Second, the attention and interest of the people in theater. It shows how important this art is to them. Third, the mention of the influence of theater on politics and other aspects was also very interesting. Although there was only a partial mention of it, this partial mention was also very interesting in a story whose general audience is considered children and teenagers. Overall, I enjoyed everything about the story and I recommend reading it.

Footnote: I changed the scoring system a bit. That is, in my opinion, all the books that can take a person to another world are extraordinary. But when it comes to comparison, I feel that I am being unfair to some famous books when I give them all high scores. So don't look at the three stars! The story is very good.

About the book: I liked the story. For me, it was like a movie, imagining Nathan Field in England back in 1599.

About the audio book: Jim Dale is just perfect! The way he narrates the books is like you are sitting in the middle of London, watching the characters talk to each other. I can't say how thrilled I was when I found out he is the narrator of King of Shadows in Audible.

From the book: "Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken. It says, loving doesn't change just because someone isn't there, or because time gets in the way, or even death. It's always with you, keeping you safe, it won't ever leave you.”

This is an enjoyable historical middle grade read.

However, it does have some drawbacks. It can be a bit slow-paced at times, and there are a few instances where there is a lot of info-dumping.

That means that the author just throws a bunch of information at the reader without much of a plot to keep it interesting.

But if you're a sucker for Shakespeare, like I am, you will still enjoy it.

The details about Shakespeare and his time are quite fascinating.

I would recommend this book to older children and young adults who are interested in The Bard.

They will likely appreciate the historical context and the references to Shakespeare's works.

Overall, it's a good read, despite its flaws.

Shakespeare geeks and Bardinators, get ready to revel in Susan Cooper’s captivating time exchange novel.

The story is rich with a plethora of well-researched historical background, which lends an authenticity that makes it a truly memorable read.

Creating a believable time slip plot is no easy feat, especially when one of the main characters holds so much sway. How does one bring to life a genuine Shakespeare, a man of great influence yet so little known? Susan Cooper accomplishes this amazingly well, crafting a warm personality that is both effervescent with authority and filled with mystique.

Nat Field trades places with his 16th-century counterpart for one week, playing Puck opposite Shakespeare as Oberon. The novel is well-written, with the historical details being especially impressive. It offers a unique and engaging perspective on Shakespeare and his world, transporting readers back in time and immersing them in a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Whether you’re a die-hard Shakespeare fan or simply someone who enjoys a good time travel adventure, this novel is sure to delight.

A short and quick read, "All the World's a Page 2020" offers an interesting premise. Susan Cooper manages to capture the world of Shakespeare's London quite well.

However, when it comes to the characters and the story itself, I didn't find them overly exciting. There is a sense that a lot of things are rushed.

Many aspects are left unanswered, which can be a bit disappointing.

Despite this, the book does provide a glimpse into the era in which Shakespeare lived, which can be quite fascinating for those interested in that time period.

Whether you choose to read a book featuring Shakespeare as a character or one set during his lifetime, there is much to discover and explore.

Perhaps with a bit more development and attention to detail, this particular book could have been even more engaging.

Nevertheless, it still offers some value and can be a worthwhile read for those looking to learn more about Shakespeare and his world.

I had to read this for school.

I'm not saying it was a terrible book, but I don't really think it was worth my time.

If I hadn't been assigned it for school and if half my grade hadn't depended on it, I would never have picked it up. It was a book for a twelve-year-old, not a high school student.

It had an awesome storyline, good characters and a great ending, but it just lacked addictability. I fell asleep reading it.

Maybe it's because our teacher forced us to read it and said 50% of our grade depended on it. Maybe that's what made me dislike this book. I don't know.

It wasn't torture, but it also wasn't bliss. I never shook with excitement, got butterflies in my stomach and it definitely wasn't a topic I would discuss with friends.

For once, a book was just a book.

For me, books are fantasies and journeys, an escape when the world is hard. But this one was just words on a page, nothing more, nothing less.

Sorry all of you people who loved it.

I'm still confused about Arby though. What was going on there?

Anyway, it was just a book. It didn't give me feelings, despite the intriguing storyline, good ending and vocabulary.

I guess everyone has different tastes when it comes to books. Some people might find this book absolutely amazing and captivating, while others, like me, might not be as impressed.

Maybe if I had read it on my own accord, without the pressure of a school assignment and a grade depending on it, I would have had a different opinion.

But as it stands, this book just didn't do it for me. It was a mediocre read that I'm glad is over.

I'll be looking forward to finding a book that can truly transport me to another world and make me feel all the emotions that a great book should.

I must admit that I did not have a particularly enjoyable experience while reading this book.

The concept of Nat randomly traveling back in time felt rather far-fetched and failed to create a sense of believability within the story. As a result, I found it extremely difficult to form any kind of emotional connection with any of the characters.

Moreover, Susan Cooper's writing style, which involved the excessive use of lists, seemed rather cumbersome and detracted from the overall flow and rhythm of the narrative. It made the reading experience feel more like a chore than a pleasure.

In conclusion, while the book may have had some redeeming qualities, these flaws ultimately prevented me from fully engaging with and enjoying the story.

This book is an absolute delight for those who have a profound love for Shakespeare.

It is essentially historical fiction that is set at the Globe theater in 1599. The fantasy elements are very much in the background, being confined only to the beginning and end of the book.

Lovers of historical fiction will perhaps also take great delight in this short and lively romp. However, it is truly a love letter dedicated to the Bard.

Nevertheless, at times, the particular details can be rather taxing for a true aficionado of Shakespeare. For instance, the plot of _A Midsummer Night's Dream_ is central to the story, and as a result, the author spends a considerable amount of time describing it.

But anyone who loves Shakespeare to such an extent as to be the target audience for this book probably already knows that play quite well and may not require so much detailed description.

Still, if one is patient, it offers a good experience. The story is not overly amazing or epic; instead, it is tender, charming, and poignant. It makes for a very enjoyable and relatively quick read.

Overall, it has its merits and drawbacks, but for those with a passion for Shakespeare and historical fiction, it is definitely worth a look.

A great text to pair with studying 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is essential for students.

It can provide them with a deeper understanding of the contexts of Elizabethan England and The Globe.

By exploring related texts, students can gain insights into the social, cultural, and historical aspects that influenced Shakespeare's play.

This knowledge helps them to better appreciate the themes, characters, and language used in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

For example, they can learn about the Elizabethan concept of love and marriage, the role of the theater in society, and the significance of the Globe Theatre.

Pairing the play with other texts also allows students to make connections and comparisons, enhancing their critical thinking skills.

Overall, having a great text to pair with 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' enriches the learning experience and helps students to truly engage with Shakespeare's work.

I recently recalled reading this book during my English lessons when I was around 12 or 13 years old. It served as an introduction to Shakespeare before we delved into reading "A Midsummer Night's Dream". One evening, we took a trip to London to visit The Globe, the very place where much of the book's events occurred.

Now, just over 10 years later, I decided to reread it. I was astonished by how much I could actually remember and how much I still relished it. The concept of the book is truly fascinating. There are two boys with the same name and a shared interest in acting who swap places. One boy is from 1599, and the other is from 1999. The plot mainly revolves around the resurrection of the plague as one of the boys ends up in a hospital in modern-day London, while the other is transported back in time to work for Shakespeare, portraying Puck in his play.

This book would make an excellent introduction to Shakespeare for children or young adults. It is a pleasant and easy read for anyone, with an interesting twist at the end that keeps the reader engaged until the very last page.

Update: I finished this book on Sunday morning! :P

It was a fine, sunny day a few months ago. My family and I were visiting the library. (Actually, I don't really remember what the weather was like, but you know what I mean XD) I had my library bag over my shoulder, and it was already half full.

I was walking through the aisles with my Dad when suddenly he stopped. He pulled an average-sized grayish book from the shelves, took a glance at the inside cover, and plopped it down into my bag. It was called 'King of Shadows'.

We got home later that day and it went into the library stack on the bottom shelf of our tall, brown bookshelf in the corner of my room.

That's where it stayed until the next time we went to the library. But I got it again because I hadn't read it yet, and now I have read it. Please congratulate me XD

Anyway, this was a pretty good book. I really enjoyed it. Shakespeare and England in the 16th century were a big part of it.

I do have a complaint, though. The language was a little spotty in places, but it wasn't too bad, which was good! I think there was a total of maybe 6 bad words throughout the book.

There was a little bit of romance in this book, though not much and it was towards the end. I think my favorite character was Will Shakespeare!

My favorite parts were definitely when they were acting/rehearsing. It was very entertaining to read.

The book was also very descriptive. I could picture what was happening in my head most of the time! That's always a plus in my book! ;)

I rate it 4 stars. :)