Werewolf Hamlet

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.