Hamlet is Not OK

Selby hates homework.

She would rather watch TV – anything to escape the tedium of school, her parents’ bookshop and small-town busybodies.

So Selby didn’t plan to read Hamlet. She certainly never planned to meet him.

This novel transports Selby, and the reader, into the cold and crime-ridden play itself. Here she meets Hamlet: heavy with grief, the young prince is overthinking and over everything. Selby can relate. But unlike Hamlet, Selby isn’t afraid of making decisions. In her world, Selby is used to feeling overlooked. But in the bloody, backstabbing world of Shakespeare, Selby’s good conscience and quiet courage might just save some lives . . . hopefully before Hamlet stabs one of her classmates.

‘The book presents a convincing argument for Shakespeare’s value in modern-day classrooms’ – Kirkus Reviews
‘A refreshingly different, wildly imaginative take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet.’ – Booklist starred review

‘Spratt doesn’t waste words, and is an expert at whittling away the blurry edges of a story to reveal the golden core. Through Selby’s eyes, Spratt delicately and thoughtfully opens up the famous play to readers who may feel that Shakespeare is just for people who excel at English.’ – Storylinks

‘Books like this are a joy to read, because they acknowledge mental health issues, celebrate words, and acknowledge the difficulties some have with reading.’ – Ashleigh Meikle, the Book Muse

‘Sharp-witted and funny. . . Shelby’s ignorance of anything Shakespeare brings a fresh teen perspective on the behaviour of the characters and their actions to one another. A clever, entertaining read.’ – What Book Next