The Playmaker

by J.B. Cheaney

Book Overview

While working as an apprentice in a London theater company in 1597, 14-year-old Richard uncovers a mystery involving the disappearance of his father and a traitorous plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 037580577X
• ISBN13: 9780375805776
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.7" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

Awesome!

I had not done much research on the Elizabethan time period when I read this book, nor did I have any desire to, but it really has opened up my world! I've gotten a lot more interested in Shakespeare and his works for one thing, and, for another, it has given me a window into the world of acting and plays during the late 1500s. Can you believe that, since women weren't allowed to act on stage, young boys actually had to play the female roles? Not many boys I know would go for that at all! This truly is a wonderful book about an orphan who finds a life on the stage. I won't say any more, so as to spoil the story, but, I must say, it's a good read for the creative mind.

The Playmaker

This book is about a 14 year old boy, named Richard Malory, whos mom has died and his dad left the family.Richard travels to Londonand meets some interesting characters along the way.He gets robbed, beaten, and threatened at knifepoint. he joins the Lord Chamberland's men to act on stage. He meets his long lost father and helps him escape from England. He lives his life the way it was set out for him. I gave this story five stars because it is really suspenseful. I recommend this book for anyone. this book is really good because you never want to put it down.It fills you with peril and leaves you hanging until you read it more.

Great Book For All Ages!

This book is great for all ages, as the other reviews have said. I, being a 13 year old, loved the mystery plotline, and I enjoy reading books like Shakespeare! I recommend the author's second book, The True Prince, and The Shakespeare Stealer and Shakespeare's Scribe, both by Gary Blackman! All of these books have a young boy who acts in Shakespeare's troupe, so if you enjoy that aspect of The Playmaker, then you'll love the others!!!

Not just for kids!

The Playmaker is a work which literally transports the reader to Elizabethan England in a very convincing manner. Cheaney has a beautiful use of language which does not talk "down" to her young readers at all, but instead presents them a fast-paced, exciting story which is as enriching as it is entertaining. I really fell for all the major characters, and I am hoping for a sequel...or several of them! Richard, Starling, and Kit are so well developed they seem like real historical characters rather than fiction. The Playmaker is a great example of how fiction can present a historical period to young readers so that the reader develops a feel for the period-encouraging an interest in history, too. That's a very enriching asset for a novel to have. This book is on my Christmas list for my young friends AND friends my age and older! My 27 year old daughter is going to love it!

Bravo! Give us more!

If I had been reading this book for myself it would have been a non-put-downer! However I was reading it to my two sons, ages 13 and 15 so we had to make time between everything else. We experienced a wide expanse of emotions while journeying with young Richard. Great read! And, for those interested, it's a great read-aloud! The characters are fleshed out and the action is limitless! Nothing better than a good believable mystery! Don't let the age recommendations put you off. My teens loved it, as did I. Richard and his friends are people we didn't want to let go of at the end of the book. Hope there is more to come!