Loving Will Shakespeare
by Carolyn Meyer

Though fictional, this is a fascinating and emotional look at the lives of Agnes "Anne" Hathaway and William Shakespeare. With scant facts available, the author has created a gripping story that includes many details about the time period.

Mistress Hathaway emerges as a loving and strong heroine who overcomes many tragedies. The death of her mother from the plague when she was young, leads her father to remarry a spiteful and mean woman. Anne's travails lead her to a number of "romances" that do not end in marriage. After the death of her father, her stepmother demands she marry and leave home. Anne has known Will Shakespeare since his birth and has always had a soft spot for him. Their courtship and eventual marriage leads to an unconventional lifestyle as Shakespeare heads to London to pursue his destiny. Grades 8 & up.

Reviewed by Mrs. Reinhart (9/2007)