Shakespeare: Investigate the Bard's Influence on Today's World    by Andi Diehn & Samuel Carbaugh Order:  USA  Can Nomad, 2016 (2016) Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Jessica Maguire This educational activity book will prove to be a helpful guide for twelve to fifteen year old students who will be studying Shakespeare. One's first introduction to Shakespeare can be downright scary and the cause of many an evening spent tearing one's hair out. The language Shakespeare used reads more like gobbledy gook to the unsuspecting teenager. And what's with all those confusing plots and a play-within-a-play, anyway? How is a teenager supposed to make sense of all of the confusion, much less care about what the play is about? And when was the last time you had a young person use reading Shakespeare and fun in the same sentence?! This book discusses quite a few of Shakespeare's more famous works in modern day English. Each play is compared to modern interpretations that make general comprehension a bit easier. For example, Romeo and Juliet is discussed in relation to the movie Gnomeo & Juliet. To make sense of Shakespeare's work, the reader must understand Shakespeare himself and the time period in which he lived. A history of Shakespeare's life, life in general during the sixteenth century, as well as the Globe Theatre, are presented here in a manner with teenagers in mind. There are all sorts of thought provoking activities to do. From reading comics to thinking about each play's major themes, there is plenty to keep the reader occupied and learning. My favorite is the guess which 'practices were actual Elizabethan cures for disease' activity. But I think I'll refrain from 'Drinking wine mixed with crow feces' to cure what ails me! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews