Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner

ISBN: 978-0-375-84085-2
Random House, NY
2007


Plot Summary

High school senior Shakespeare Shapiro is a bundle of neuroses. He worries about everything including his unusual first name, getting into college, finding a girlfriend and being injured or killed in a plane or car crash. He finally comes to terms with his first name and realizes that maybe it has helped him develop his writing skills. Along the way he learns about himself and even finds a girlfriend.

Critical Evaluation

Jake Wizner's first novel is funny, irreverent and will resonate with anyone who struggled through the social pitfalls of high school. At times the book is laugh-out-loud funny but main character Shakespeare Shapiro also learns about life and himself. He becomes less self-centered and realizes that others have REAL problems to overcome.

Reader's Annotation

17-year-old Shakespeare Shapiro learns to use his unusual name to advantage as, with wit and self-deprecation, he learns to write through his pain of being a socially awkward high school senior.

Author Information

Jake Wizner's first novel appears to be somewhat autobiographical. He teaches 8th-grade English and history and lives in NYC with his wife and two daughters. Spanking Shakespeare is to be made into a movie and will be released under Paramount's Nickelodeon movie label. Jake's new book has just been released and it is called Castration Celebration.

Genre

coming-of-age

Curriculum Ties

High school or college writing class

Booktalking Ideas

1. Shakespeare goes to a baseball game with his father. He's afraid that he'll be hit by a baseball and his fears come true.

2. Shakespeare goes to the prom, first by himself, and then stops by his date's home in the projects.

Reading Level/Interest

Ages 15-18 for both, but especially high school seniors and college freshmen

Challenge Issues and Defense

Lots of sexual situations, some bad language

Book written to help socially immature/awkward students get through high school

Publisher's Weekly starred review - "Exceptionally funny and smart."

Why I Included This Book

This book was highly recommended by my boss, the head librarian at our school.