"All the World's a Stage: A Novel in Five Acts" by Gretchen Woelfle is a young adult novel published in 2011. The story follows the life of a twelve-year-old boy named Kit Buckles, set in the 1590s during the time of William Shakespeare. Kit finds himself in London and is coerced into pickpocketing from the audience at the Theatre Playhouse, where Shakespeare's plays are being performed. However, Kit's fascination with the plays leads him to be caught trying to steal. Instead of going to jail, he is given the opportunity to work as a theater worker for the players.
As Kit becomes involved in the theater, he gains access to Shakespeare's plays and experiences the dramas that occur behind the scenes. He takes on various roles such as cleaning the stage, delivering messages, and occasionally acting as an extra. Through these experiences, Kit contemplates his own future and what kind of career he should pursue, with the scene subtitles often listing the different occupations he considers.
"All the World's a Stage" incorporates illustrations of characters, maps of London, and plays in production by the English artist Thomas Cox. The novel has been praised for its meticulous research, well-developed characters, and moral lessons. It was a finalist for the 2012 Pen Center USA Literary Award for Children's Literature and is aimed at readers between the ages of eight and twelve.
The themes explored in the book include serendipity, love of art, and discovering one's purpose. By immersing readers in the world of Shakespearean theater and the challenges faced by Kit, the novel aims to entertain, educate, and inspire young readers.
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