Part of Saddleback’s Illustrated Classics series. A simplified and condensed retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew as a graphic novel. The illustrations are done primarily in jewel tones and depict clothing and scenery appropriate to the play’s context. Footnotes define words or concepts likely to be unfamiliar to readers. Act and scene breaks from the play are not included in the novel, so it is not easy to relate the story to the original text of Shakespeare’s play, which may be important to some educators. Blue boxes provide setting information while the characters’ words are in yellow boxes making it easy to distinguish between the two. Pictures and names of the main characters are included at the beginning of the novel, but even with this guidance and the visual clues provided in the illustrations it may be difficult for readers to keep track of the various characters and their motivations. A more complete list of characters including a description of their role in the story would have been helpful. In combination with instruction, this could still be an important tool for introducing The Taming of the Shrew to hi-lo readers, particularly in communicating the inherent comedy of the play. Recommended. Ages 11 & up. ( )

This graphic novel is an excellent alternative for students struggling to read this complicated play. Illustrations are vibrant and clearly drawn. This novel is straight forward and linear in its telling of the play (which is not always the case with graphic novels.) However, some pages can be a little crowded with word bubbles. It definitely helps clear up the confusion with the names in the play. This translation can serve as supplement to the play, a tool for assessment, an activity, or a support material. Excellent for differentiation. Highly recommended for high school or middle school level. ( )