About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their curious child starts questioning the 'why' behind established facts or shows a love for historical puzzles. "The Strange River" introduces the fascinating, long-running debate over who really wrote Shakespeare's plays. It doesn't offer a simple answer, but instead explores the evidence for and against William Shakespeare of Stratford, as well as other potential candidates. This book is perfect for kids 10-14 as it validates their curiosity and encourages critical thinking about how history is written and what constitutes proof. It's an excellent way to turn a potentially dry school subject into a captivating detective story.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The central theme is intellectual rather than emotional. It directly challenges a foundational element of literary history, which can be disorienting for some readers. The book touches on historical classism (the idea that a commoner could not possess such genius) and potentially sexism or political intrigue as reasons for a hidden author. The resolution is intentionally ambiguous, as the debate is unresolved, promoting critical thought over a definitive answer.
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