Gr 7 Up-Each book includes a brief introduction to the play, followed by an illustrated cast of characters and a glossary of literary terms. Annotated text from the play alternates with black-and-white illustrations of selected scenes, "in the style of a graphic novel." It is unclear why the editors did not make these true graphic novels throughout. The black-and-white comic art is undistinguished, and as most of it simply depicts two characters in conversation, it does little to clarify what is going on. The first two plays in particular offer marvelous possibilities for the illustrator, so the ho-hum comics are disappointing. "Think about it" boxes contain study questions such as, "What has worried Macbeth?" and boxed "Literary terms" give examples like, "`Hermia...Hermia...Helena...' is...alliteration." Teacher's guides accompany the books. Those interested in a graphic-novel interpretation might want to consider Arthur Byron Cover's Macbeth (Puffin, 2005), which is illustrated in manga style and would probably appeal more to reluctant readers. These titles might be useful for teaching Shakespeare to reluctant readers, but a better choice might be a simple annotated Shakespeare such as a Sparknotes "No Fear Shakespeare" series (Spark), supplemented by Bruce Coville's William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (1999) and William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (2003, both Penguin), which are picture-book prose adaptations, or Adam McKeown's Romeo and Juliet: Young Reader's Shakespeare (Sterling, 2004).-Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

The perfect example of a good idea with poor execution, this series provides a non-intimidating introduction to Shakespeare for teens through the style of a graphic novel. The books begin with a list of literary definitions, and occasional examples of these terms are highlighted at the margins of the play's text. Intermingled with the text are "Think About It" questions intended to engage students with the text. Every few pages, a two-page insert of pure text disappointingly interrupts the graphic novel format. The plays are abridged, and the annotations on the side are nowhere near the quality or frequency of other Shakespeare series. In Romeo and Juliet, the black-and-white illustrations are neither engaging nor well drawn, with scenes appearing as little more than talking heads. Twelfth Night fares better, as the pictures assist in understanding the play's mistaken identity motif. This series could be a useful tool, but it will not be an adequate substitute for series such as Shakespeare Made Easy from Barron's. The accompanying Teacher Resource Books contain a series of creative writing activities and worksheets intended to encourage students to understand Shakespeare's language and to relate to the characters and situations in the plays. Activities include making a television news report of the murders of Tybalt and Mercutio and writing horoscopes for the "star-crossed lovers." Some activities are a bit simplistic, but the Teacher Resource Books would probably be a welcome addition to any school library.-Angela Semifero.