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William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare. Born April 1564, at Stratford-upon-Avon. Died April 1616. Married Anne Hathaway: two daughters, one son. Actor, poet, famous playwright. Wrote nearly forty plays. But what was he like as a man? What did he think about when he rode into London for the first time... or when he was writing his plays Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet... or when his only son died? We know the facts of his life, but we can only guess at his hopes, his fears, his dreams.
72 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1993
55 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Bassett
330 books67 followersJennifer Bassett has been a teacher, teacher trainer, editor, and materials writer, and has taught in England, Greece, Spain, and Portugal. She is the Series Editor of the Oxford Bookworms Library, and has written more than twenty original and retold stories for the series, including The Phantom of the Opera, One-Way Ticket, The President's Murderer, and William Shakespeare. Two of her adaptations, Rabbit-Proof Fence and Love Among the Haystacks, have won Language Learner Literature Awards, and three of her other titles have been finalists for the Awards. She has created a new sub-series called Bookworms World Stories, which are collections of short stories written in English from around the world. She has also written original stories for the English Today Readers and Storylines series. Jennifer is series co-adviser, with H.G. Widdowson, of the Oxford Bookworms Collection, volumes of unadapted short stories for advanced learners.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 12, 2014
This book is about a life for William Shakespeare. He is a very hard worker about making a story for the play. I think this story is a bit to boring. They are just telling me about the life for William Shakespeare. He wrote a very good story even the king came and watch the play and pay the money, he and his friend earns lots of money. I didn’t really like this book, it was boring and there is no special things about the person, it only says about the William Shakespeare writing a story and what did they do for family.
September 11, 2017
Reading this book again just to rate it, and I realized how much about it I have forgotten after the first time reading... Such a great book about the main events in the life of William Shakespeare - the greatest playwright that ever lived. Shakepeare's success as well as heartbreak and tragedy in his family is paired so well with the condition of London, the jealousy of his colleague, the change in the English monarchy, the plague and the historical aspect of 16th century England. I've learned so much about his family, his life, his wish and dreams in this little book.
William Shakespeare once feared that because of the absence of male heir in his family, there wouldn't be anyone to carry on the name Shakespeare. But to the whole world, there wouldn't be such need; William Shakespeare himself made his surname memorable, and surely, a thousand years from now on, I don't think anyone can forget the famous name Shakespeare ^^
William Shakespeare once feared that because of the absence of male heir in his family, there wouldn't be anyone to carry on the name Shakespeare. But to the whole world, there wouldn't be such need; William Shakespeare himself made his surname memorable, and surely, a thousand years from now on, I don't think anyone can forget the famous name Shakespeare ^^
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July 15, 20151. Level2 Jennifer Bassett
2. 7/14 60min 7/15 30min
3. Marry
Family
Friends
Death
Actor
Poet
Play
4. I was surprised that he was married when he was only eighteen! That means... I was married 2 years ago! It's unbelievable...
I learned from this book that Will wrote many plays. I knew only Romeo and Juliet, but he wrote another play such as Henry VIII.
5. I've known his name but I didn't know about him. Through reading this book, I knew about him a lot! He was a great person! I respect him!
2. 7/14 60min 7/15 30min
3. Marry
Family
Friends
Death
Actor
Poet
Play
4. I was surprised that he was married when he was only eighteen! That means... I was married 2 years ago! It's unbelievable...
I learned from this book that Will wrote many plays. I knew only Romeo and Juliet, but he wrote another play such as Henry VIII.
5. I've known his name but I didn't know about him. Through reading this book, I knew about him a lot! He was a great person! I respect him!
October 26, 2017
1. Oxford, Stage 2
2. Oct 25→80 minutes
3. please, plays, write, actor, family, remember, London
4a. William Shakespeare was born in 1564. It introduced history that he became famous. He was writing plays such as Romeo and juliet for nearly forty years.
4b. I thought the story was a little long, so I could not finish reading. But, I knew just his name, I could learn about Shakespeare by reading. The process of Romeo and Juliet was made, having his two daughters and a son, and going to London, I did not know that.
5. This story is a non-fiction story. The author wrote the detail of Shakespeare and wanted readers to know about him more.
2. Oct 25→80 minutes
3. please, plays, write, actor, family, remember, London
4a. William Shakespeare was born in 1564. It introduced history that he became famous. He was writing plays such as Romeo and juliet for nearly forty years.
4b. I thought the story was a little long, so I could not finish reading. But, I knew just his name, I could learn about Shakespeare by reading. The process of Romeo and Juliet was made, having his two daughters and a son, and going to London, I did not know that.
5. This story is a non-fiction story. The author wrote the detail of Shakespeare and wanted readers to know about him more.
June 21, 2017
William Shakespeare is really a legend, he makes words alive. I can't help to wonder, why he can write so many famous plays, and so quick. Were he a man come from future, or mystery? Maybe that's the different between talent and normal. some people are born to be great, some people are born to be normal. We donot know.
December 8, 2017
Estando en el primer cuatrimestre del segundo curso (A2) me ha sido fácil de seguir y muy útil para repasar, una y otra vez, el pasado y sus verbos regulares e irregulares.
Tiene vocabulario específico para teatro, pero en general, fácil de seguir y rápido, como suelen ser estar historias pequeñitas graduadas.
Tiene vocabulario específico para teatro, pero en general, fácil de seguir y rápido, como suelen ser estar historias pequeñitas graduadas.
December 23, 2017
nice book to read, never give up what you dream about....
May 27, 2019
A good book that explains important events in William Shakespeare’s life. The pattern of story is good and can attract readers.
May 24, 2021
I like this series. They are easy to read for English learners. And also it is a true story about the biggest poet and writer in English.
April 16, 2023
3.5
Ñeee, corto y fácil de leer, nada del otro mundo
Ñeee, corto y fácil de leer, nada del otro mundo
January 14, 2016
1. Publisher: Oxford
Level: 2
2. 1/10 = 30 minutes; 1/11 = 30 minutes; 1/13 = 20 minutes.
3. Writer
Play
Poet
Actor
Hamnet
King
Family
4.a. No one was all good, or all bad.
b. I agree this passege. William Shakespheare felt sorry for people in his plays although he laughed at them. Because his people were real, he maybe felt guilty against laughing at people in his plays. Actually, after William's son died, he changed his way of thinking to such a way. I was impreessed with this episode.
5. I was surprised when I started reading because this book was wrriten in terms of William's friend whose name was Toby. I thought it was a feature of this book, and thanks to it, I enjoyed reading this book with a fresh feeling. I knew William Shakespheare was a great writer, but there were a lot of things I learned for the first time in this book. William Shakespeare was famous for his unique writing, so I had regarded him as a strange person. However, this book changed my image toword him for the better than before I read it. Probably because of the writing of this book, it was easy to image what William Shakespeare was like, and also it was confortable for me.
In week 12, I continued to read the same book as week 11, so I wrote the book report of week 12 in the review of 'Who was Neil Armstrong?' again below the week 11's.
Level: 2
2. 1/10 = 30 minutes; 1/11 = 30 minutes; 1/13 = 20 minutes.
3. Writer
Play
Poet
Actor
Hamnet
King
Family
4.a. No one was all good, or all bad.
b. I agree this passege. William Shakespheare felt sorry for people in his plays although he laughed at them. Because his people were real, he maybe felt guilty against laughing at people in his plays. Actually, after William's son died, he changed his way of thinking to such a way. I was impreessed with this episode.
5. I was surprised when I started reading because this book was wrriten in terms of William's friend whose name was Toby. I thought it was a feature of this book, and thanks to it, I enjoyed reading this book with a fresh feeling. I knew William Shakespheare was a great writer, but there were a lot of things I learned for the first time in this book. William Shakespeare was famous for his unique writing, so I had regarded him as a strange person. However, this book changed my image toword him for the better than before I read it. Probably because of the writing of this book, it was easy to image what William Shakespeare was like, and also it was confortable for me.
In week 12, I continued to read the same book as week 11, so I wrote the book report of week 12 in the review of 'Who was Neil Armstrong?' again below the week 11's.
October 21, 2015
1. Oxfords level 2
2. 10/14, 15, 16, 17=100m 10/20,21=20m
3. Will, I(Toby), Richard Burbage, Queen Elizabeth, plague years, King, Ben
4. I liked William's life, because he went his way. It means he really loved to write play. I thought he didn't care about his family at first. But while I was reading, I could know he liked his family . When his son died, his eyes were empty. And he was respected by many people.
5. Will had many good friends but there was a person who often argued Will's play. His name was Ben. He was also a writer. When they showed their play in front of the King, King fell asleep at only Ben's play. Ben didn't like it. I think he jealous Will's great play.
By the way, last week Haruka asked me 'Was Will a quiet person?' I could answer now. The answer is 'No, he wasn't.' Because he was spoken to by Toby when he was thinking about his play, he said don't talk to me! That's mean he usually talked a lot.
There are many characters in this book so it was so confused but I was trying to understand. That's why it took for long time.
2. 10/14, 15, 16, 17=100m 10/20,21=20m
3. Will, I(Toby), Richard Burbage, Queen Elizabeth, plague years, King, Ben
4. I liked William's life, because he went his way. It means he really loved to write play. I thought he didn't care about his family at first. But while I was reading, I could know he liked his family . When his son died, his eyes were empty. And he was respected by many people.
5. Will had many good friends but there was a person who often argued Will's play. His name was Ben. He was also a writer. When they showed their play in front of the King, King fell asleep at only Ben's play. Ben didn't like it. I think he jealous Will's great play.
By the way, last week Haruka asked me 'Was Will a quiet person?' I could answer now. The answer is 'No, he wasn't.' Because he was spoken to by Toby when he was thinking about his play, he said don't talk to me! That's mean he usually talked a lot.
There are many characters in this book so it was so confused but I was trying to understand. That's why it took for long time.
April 11, 2014
1. William Shakespeare Jennifer Basset Oxford University Press
2. 80minutes
3. playwright,family,friends,parting,life,fighting,beer
4 a. I've no teeth now, and my hair has all fallen out, but I can still think-and remember
b. I think this is the best passage in this book. We grow order and the time will come when we we will die. However, he was not afraid of death. He kept writing story until dying. I want to live like him.
5. This is a good book! He experienced many big things for example, marriage, parting, fighting. If I'm Shakespeare, I cannot keep writing story. However, he did because he loved to write story. Do I have soomething to become enthusiastic? Maybe, No I don't so I want to find this in a college life. Finally I think that he had many good friends,so he succeed his business. Thanks to this book, I learned importance of friends so I want to tresure my friends!
2. 80minutes
3. playwright,family,friends,parting,life,fighting,beer
4 a. I've no teeth now, and my hair has all fallen out, but I can still think-and remember
b. I think this is the best passage in this book. We grow order and the time will come when we we will die. However, he was not afraid of death. He kept writing story until dying. I want to live like him.
5. This is a good book! He experienced many big things for example, marriage, parting, fighting. If I'm Shakespeare, I cannot keep writing story. However, he did because he loved to write story. Do I have soomething to become enthusiastic? Maybe, No I don't so I want to find this in a college life. Finally I think that he had many good friends,so he succeed his business. Thanks to this book, I learned importance of friends so I want to tresure my friends!
April 30, 2014
1. Publisher/Level: Oxford/2
2. 04/29=150minutes.
3. Seven-word summery: playwright, poet, actor, play,Stratford, apples, theatre
4.(a): '"but I'm going to be married in a few weeks' time. To Hathaway." My mouth fell open and stayed open.' This scene is when William told Toby, Let's go to run away from making shoes and gloves in Stratford. However, suddenly, William told Toby that he never leave Stratford and will be married.
(b): I like this scene because I could imagine this part easily, and it was funny for me. The sentence,'My mouth fell open and stayed open.', is funny and good expression I think, so I'd like to use this expression.
5. I know the name, William Shakespeare, but I didn't know about his life and who he was. I think he was not same as other people, strange or unipue person. He always had a big dream and successed them. I was suprised at it and respect him, I want to be like him. I want to be his friend like Toby if I live in same time as him.
2. 04/29=150minutes.
3. Seven-word summery: playwright, poet, actor, play,Stratford, apples, theatre
4.(a): '"but I'm going to be married in a few weeks' time. To Hathaway." My mouth fell open and stayed open.' This scene is when William told Toby, Let's go to run away from making shoes and gloves in Stratford. However, suddenly, William told Toby that he never leave Stratford and will be married.
(b): I like this scene because I could imagine this part easily, and it was funny for me. The sentence,'My mouth fell open and stayed open.', is funny and good expression I think, so I'd like to use this expression.
5. I know the name, William Shakespeare, but I didn't know about his life and who he was. I think he was not same as other people, strange or unipue person. He always had a big dream and successed them. I was suprised at it and respect him, I want to be like him. I want to be his friend like Toby if I live in same time as him.
December 20, 2012
- Jennifer Bassett Oxford university; level2
- Time: 12/14= 40minutes, 12/16= 60 minutes, 12/18= 30 minutes
- 7 word summary: friend- actor - marry - success - death - writing - new
- Discussion question
1. William Shakespeare likes to write poems and read books. How about you?
I also like to reading! Especially, I like psychological kinds of books.
2. William was too busy to play with his children and be relax. Do yo like to be busy?
No, I don't. I like sleeping and I want my free time.
This is a historical story about Shakespeare. He liked to make new things and his plays made people moved. He never gave up even when he was disappointed and couldn't think of many things. I want to be such a person, too.
This story will give you precious things, so I want you to read it!!
- Time: 12/14= 40minutes, 12/16= 60 minutes, 12/18= 30 minutes
- 7 word summary: friend- actor - marry - success - death - writing - new
- Discussion question
1. William Shakespeare likes to write poems and read books. How about you?
I also like to reading! Especially, I like psychological kinds of books.
2. William was too busy to play with his children and be relax. Do yo like to be busy?
No, I don't. I like sleeping and I want my free time.
This is a historical story about Shakespeare. He liked to make new things and his plays made people moved. He never gave up even when he was disappointed and couldn't think of many things. I want to be such a person, too.
This story will give you precious things, so I want you to read it!!
May 19, 2013
1. Publisher: Jennifer Bassett
Company: Oxford Level:2
2. Time: 5/18 28 mins
5/19 15 mins 13 mins
3. famous,show,great,love,story,writer,forever
4.Do you like watching shows??
→Yes! I like it! I want to watch show at NY!!
Which do you like love story or mystery story??
→I like love story!! I can become like this character who is in a love story
when I read a love story.
5. This book is easy for me to understand what is happened in this story.
and of cause many people know about William Shakespeare.
I don't know this story is real totally. Some scenes are real and others are not real. But so good! thank to it, I can image this story easily!!
July 22, 2013
150 minutes
When I found this book, I thought that this book has some story of a play that made by William Shakespeare. However, this book showed me the story of his life. I was surprised, but I enjoyed reading this book.
7 words: Shakedpeare, man, life, history, actor, poet, playwright,
Questions
Q1:Have you ever seen any plays that made by Shakespeare?
A1:Yes. when I was junior high school student, I watched the play that named "The Merchant of Venice".
Q2:If you try to know classical literature, which way do you like better, waching a play or reading a novel?
A2:I prefer reading a novel, and It is difficult for me to understand all word that said by the actors in the play.
When I found this book, I thought that this book has some story of a play that made by William Shakespeare. However, this book showed me the story of his life. I was surprised, but I enjoyed reading this book.
7 words: Shakedpeare, man, life, history, actor, poet, playwright,
Questions
Q1:Have you ever seen any plays that made by Shakespeare?
A1:Yes. when I was junior high school student, I watched the play that named "The Merchant of Venice".
Q2:If you try to know classical literature, which way do you like better, waching a play or reading a novel?
A2:I prefer reading a novel, and It is difficult for me to understand all word that said by the actors in the play.
October 23, 2013
1. Jennifer Bassett, Oxford, level 2
2. 100min
3. marry, actor, London, music, man, dreams ,playwright
4. Do you like a story which is written by Sakespeare? What?
Yes, I do. It is "Romeo and Juliet".
5. I started to be interested in the story of Shakespeare from reading Hamlet. Then I became to want to know just him. I didn’t know him well. After I read this book, I can understand him a little. Of course I can’t know his everything. This book has true points and image points. So you have to guess his life during you read this book. This book is easy to understand.
2. 100min
3. marry, actor, London, music, man, dreams ,playwright
4. Do you like a story which is written by Sakespeare? What?
Yes, I do. It is "Romeo and Juliet".
5. I started to be interested in the story of Shakespeare from reading Hamlet. Then I became to want to know just him. I didn’t know him well. After I read this book, I can understand him a little. Of course I can’t know his everything. This book has true points and image points. So you have to guess his life during you read this book. This book is easy to understand.
April 17, 2014
1 William Shakespear Jennifer Basset Oxford level2
2. 4/15 80minutes 4/17 20minutes
3. friends. family.actor. poet .marry. death.forever
4.a. i've no teeth now, and my hair has all fallen out, but i can still think-and remember
b. This passage is the best! when i get age more, i become to think like him.
5. I was interested Shakespear because i read his book befor. I know his name, but i don't know about him. Through readind this book i can know about Shakespear. His marrage, his success, i want to live like him.
2. 4/15 80minutes 4/17 20minutes
3. friends. family.actor. poet .marry. death.forever
4.a. i've no teeth now, and my hair has all fallen out, but i can still think-and remember
b. This passage is the best! when i get age more, i become to think like him.
5. I was interested Shakespear because i read his book befor. I know his name, but i don't know about him. Through readind this book i can know about Shakespear. His marrage, his success, i want to live like him.
January 16, 2013
7-word-summary: famous, an author, marriage, daughters and son, hope, dreams, man
It took about 110 min. to read it.
What kind of his author did make the strongest impression on you?
- My favorite is "Romeo and Juliet." I always sympathize with this couple every time I read.
William Shakespeare loved to argue anything. How about you?
- I don't like arguing. Even if I can't agree with something, I try to accept it as the part of major opinion.
It took about 110 min. to read it.
What kind of his author did make the strongest impression on you?
- My favorite is "Romeo and Juliet." I always sympathize with this couple every time I read.
William Shakespeare loved to argue anything. How about you?
- I don't like arguing. Even if I can't agree with something, I try to accept it as the part of major opinion.
June 3, 2013
1.Oxford stage2
2.Time 5/27=80min
3.7 words-summary
Music-play-London-actor-country-stage-playwright
4.Discussion Question
If you were a writer for the play, what kind of plays would you write?
- I would write detective story, because I like it. However, it would take a long time to write, because this kind of the story is difficult.
5. I disagree with his lifestyle because he did not take care of his family very much. But, his plays are awesome. I want to read them.
2.Time 5/27=80min
3.7 words-summary
Music-play-London-actor-country-stage-playwright
4.Discussion Question
If you were a writer for the play, what kind of plays would you write?
- I would write detective story, because I like it. However, it would take a long time to write, because this kind of the story is difficult.
5. I disagree with his lifestyle because he did not take care of his family very much. But, his plays are awesome. I want to read them.
June 25, 2014
1 Oxford level 2
2 6/21=40 6/23=30 6/25=35
3 marry, friends, death, actor, poet, play, Romeo and Juliet
4 a)I've no teeth now, and my hair has all fallen out, but I can sill think - and rememer.
b)I would like to say this passage when I become a older woman. I'd like to have a lot of experience like William.
5 I had heard this name, Shakespeare but I didn't know him well. Thanks to this book, I could know his life. He experienced a lot of thing.I would like to live like him.
2 6/21=40 6/23=30 6/25=35
3 marry, friends, death, actor, poet, play, Romeo and Juliet
4 a)I've no teeth now, and my hair has all fallen out, but I can sill think - and rememer.
b)I would like to say this passage when I become a older woman. I'd like to have a lot of experience like William.
5 I had heard this name, Shakespeare but I didn't know him well. Thanks to this book, I could know his life. He experienced a lot of thing.I would like to live like him.
July 2, 2014
1.Oxford Level 2
2.07/03=80 minutes
3.music,play,friends,family,stage,playwright,beer
4.a)Shakespeare didn't be worried about his family so much, because he was very busy.
b)I don't like this part, and I can't agree with his life style. Even if you are busy, you have to care your family.
5.I read "Romeo and Juliet," and it was so interesting. I wanted to know about him more, so I read this book.
2.07/03=80 minutes
3.music,play,friends,family,stage,playwright,beer
4.a)Shakespeare didn't be worried about his family so much, because he was very busy.
b)I don't like this part, and I can't agree with his life style. Even if you are busy, you have to care your family.
5.I read "Romeo and Juliet," and it was so interesting. I wanted to know about him more, so I read this book.
June 5, 2013
Jennifer Bassett oxford level2
2 It takes 90 minutes.
3 William Shakespeare Anne Hathaway daughters play wright Hamlet
playeright Hamlet life
4 Have you ever read any Shakespeare's story?
5 Through reading this book, I can learn some important thing from he. He lived sincerely to himself, so he could be succeeded, so I wanna live like him.
2 It takes 90 minutes.
3 William Shakespeare Anne Hathaway daughters play wright Hamlet
playeright Hamlet life
4 Have you ever read any Shakespeare's story?
5 Through reading this book, I can learn some important thing from he. He lived sincerely to himself, so he could be succeeded, so I wanna live like him.
Read
September 3, 2014my heart is dancing out of happiness, this book is nothing but GREAT..
the Writer chose a very smart and lovely way to narrate Shakespeare's life❤️
those who know me well, know how much Shakespeare means to me..he is my true idol..
I started reading it today at the restaurant -yes I usually read books at restaurants
the Writer chose a very smart and lovely way to narrate Shakespeare's life❤️
those who know me well, know how much Shakespeare means to me..he is my true idol..
I started reading it today at the restaurant -yes I usually read books at restaurants
September 22, 2012
I'm a beginner reader.also, I think that is a easy story for me.
I like the activities,glossary and the picture in this book.as well as , I think the audio help me to much .
Finally, I knew the life of William Shakespeare !
I wanna to be English reader and read much of " Oxford Bookworms ".
I like the activities,glossary and the picture in this book.as well as , I think the audio help me to much .
Finally, I knew the life of William Shakespeare !
I wanna to be English reader and read much of " Oxford Bookworms ".
April 24, 2010
اكتشفته
May 18, 2015
it is very bored
Read
October 29, 2015I need it
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews