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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 7 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Setting the Stage Mar 27, 2009
By Seana Meek
Alex Cole is a soccer jock with attitude until, on a school outing to a theatre, he ends up in trouble -- trouble that changes the rest of his life. From the opening almost-catastrophe to the final chapters, Alex's suspenseful adventure keeps the reader turning pages.
This engaging book is completely appropriate for younger readers, but a great read for adults, too! There are supernatural elements that combine well with more typical events to make the story hard to put down.
On the surface, it's a tween/teen/young adult story about a young man and an old theatre. But underneath, it's about rethinking your assumptions about others, especially those who are different from you, and learning to value and respect people for who they are.
I highly recommend this story. It's hard to believe this is John Wolpert's first book. His writing is equal to many of my favourite youth fiction writers, like Richard Peck, J. K. Rowling, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, and Madeleine L'Engle!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
The Power of Imagination, Inspiration Jun 22, 2009
By OldSchoolLoves3.5
A treasure. I immediately placed my copy in my son's library after finishing it. He's about 8 years too young to read this, but it will be there waiting! This is a wonderful story, entertaining, engaging, and different. I highly recommend it.
What about it? The story is thick with mystery and imagery. And it's smart. There are many themes throughout the book Hidden Stage; real versus imaginary, detachment versus attachment, life and death, light versus darkness, and on and on.
The story follows Alex Cole and his journey from our world into the world of the theater, the world of imagination, the world of awakening, of growing, of becoming like our fathers. It is a journey where Alex learns that he doesn't know it all. And that is the most important thing for a kid who thinks he's too cool and knows it all. Humility opens the door.
It all works and I can't wait until my son can read it!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Charming, informative and fun Jun 05, 2009
By Peter J. Andrews
"consultantsedge"
The love of theater and the magic it brings shows through in every page of this face-paced, engaging work. Kids can learn a lot about drama, but they will also see how characters grow. In particular, the jock-hero discovers that a new and unexpected path is the right one for him. His exploration is really the heart of the book and what turns him into a more rounded person. And who would think playing make-believe could do that?
The prose is clear, and I would think that this would be a great gift for middle school children. Give them a copy and then take them to a show!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Loved this book. Read it nearly in one sitting. Great ending. Never bored. Feb 06, 2009
By Carys
Loved the prologue (and I nearly always skip those). Read nearly the entire book in one sitting. This book has the proper amount of intrigue and character development to build very vivid pictures without going overboard. I could practically see the characters and playhouse. Great blend of detail suitable for adult enjoyment while keeping teens highly engaged and turning pages. I handed the book to a friends 11 year old daughter (who coincidentally had just tried out for a play at the theatre a few days prior). She told me she is enjoying the book and "...read 100 pages in only TWO DAYS!!". She astounded herself at how much she was interested in what was going to happen next to Alex. In addition, I appreciated the blend of life lessons, choices facing teens and the fact that the lessons/situations (although common to many teens) were not obvious in their delivery. As a side note, when finished reading (excellent ending) I felt the need to go catch a show at the local theatre house in town. Its been a long time. Nice work!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A Wonderful Surprise Jan 20, 2009
By CJ Julisch
"CJ"
I simply love this book. From the first chapter to the end, I did not want to put it down because I wanted to know what happens next. On one level, the book draws you in with its imagery of the theatre. As you read the theatre comes alive, it takes you back to all the visits that you have made to the theatre and it makes you anticipate going again.
Yet the book is much more than a story of a boy's adventure in his hometown theatre. As you read, you know this is a journey rather than a simple adventure for Alex because it is the pivotal moment in his life. The unasked question is; what type of man will this boy grow up to be? Will he grow up to be the emotionally dwarfed jock that picks on others or will he evolve into a more holistic human being. As Alex's character grows and changes and he makes decisions based on his own motives, he begins to understand the Shakespearean quote from his friend Cyril... "To be or not be" which as his father explains, is, "a question of choice."
I wholeheartedly recommend this book and as soon as I had finished reading it; I immediately ordered a copy for a twelve year old. I believe she will love it.
See all 7 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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