Books in Manga Shakespeare series

Now presenting Manga Shakespeare—the Bard’s greatest plays in an accessible, lively format for a new generation of readers<Romeo and Juliet is ideally suited for the manga format—it has teenage heroes, scheming and villainous adults, heartbreaking tragedy, and the ultimate romantic plot about star-cross’d lovers. Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, fall deeply in love—and they refuse to let their parents’ age-old feud get in their way. When Romeo is banished from their town, a series of mistakes and misunderstandings, along with their families’ mutual hatred, finally manages to end their love. An exciting introduction to the Bard for reluctant readers and manga fans alike.

Now presenting Manga Shakespeare—the Bard’s greatest plays in an accessible, lively format for a new generation of readersHamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays, and this exciting new retelling provides young readers an innovative introduction to “the melancholy Dane.” Hamlet is your typical angst-ridden teen—he doesn’t know how to deal with his responsibilities, how to treat his girlfriend, or how to react to his father’s death. He has no one to trust, and he even acts crazy so adults will leave him alone. Manga fans—and kids who find Shakespeare intimidating—will be drawn to the style and action of the Manga Shakespeare series, learning that required reading doesn’t have to be boring.

A comedy of mistaken identity and thwarted love, Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays and is frequently performed and studied across the country. When Viola finds herself shipwrecked, she pretends to be a male servant and falls in love with Duke Orsino. The Manga Shakespeare interpretation, which incorporates fresh ideas and thoughtful settings, will introduce the classic play to a new audience of Shakespeare fans.Praise for Twelfth Night“This manga adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy is as enjoyable as the Bard intended. Li’s sweet shojo art style fits the story perfectly, and the pseudohistorical setting is fun. Her deft touch with facial expressions, comic inserts, and chibis (cute little cartoon characters) will help readers understand the Elizabethan dialogue. This solid entry in the Manga Shakespeare series will make a useful addition to class studies, especially for teachers reluctant to use adaptations with simplified language.” –Booklist

The latest in the breakout series Manga Shakespeare, introducing teens to a new kind of Bard.In one of Shakespeare’s funniest, most enduring stories, meddling fairies create unexpected love triangles among a group of teenagers. Hermia is in love with Lysander. Demetrius is in love with Hermia. Helena is in love with Demetrius. Add to the mix Puck, a fairy with a powerful love potion, and chaos is sure to follow. Now everyone’s in love with Helena, Hermia is hopping mad, and the fairy queen Titania is in love with a man with a donkey’s head! Using the style and visual language of manga, Kate Brown transforms Shakespeare’s world into something new and vibrant. It’s the perfect introduction to Shakespeare’s work for reluctant readers and manga fans alike.F&P level: Z

Praise for Manga Shakespeare ALA Best Book for Young Adults ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers “Reluctant readers who appreciate manga and who would not think of picking up the work of Shakespeare are sure to gravitate toward these titles. Even if the text puts them off, they will be drawn to the illustrations. These adaptations would make wonderful additions to any school or public library’s manga collection.” —VOYA “Refreshingly clear, this adaptation is recommended for all libraries serving teens.” —Kirkus Reviews “This fresh new way of looking at a classic will draw new readers to Shakespeare, hopefully to discover that his plays are really quite entertaining.” —YAbookscentral.com Shakespeare’s most commonly studied plays, now the latest additions to the innovative Manga Shakespeare series. In Shakespeare’s enduring tale of ancient Rome, Julius Caesar is at the height of his powers—but there are men plotting his destruction. Is Caesar a tyrant or a dynamic leader? Are his enemies greedy or noble? The Manga Shakespeare adaptation of this important work maintains the language—and the fierce political intrigue—of the original while including a fresh perspective through the style of modern manga.F&P level: Z

Othello and As You Like It are the newest additions to the imaginative world of Manga Shakespeare. In the face of the false evidence produced by the conniving Iago, Othello cannot trust his wife, and his mistrust leads to the play’s tragic conclusion. In As You Like It, Rosalind, dressed like a boy, falls in love with Orlando. A mistaken-identity comedy follows, with a happy ending (or the ultimate justice served) for those who deserve it. Both plays have been refreshingly updated in the style of manga while maintaining Shakespeare’s beautiful language.F&P level: Z

Praise for Manga Shakespeare ALA Best Book for Young Adults ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers “Reluctant readers who appreciate manga and who would not think of picking up the work of Shakespeare are sure to gravitate toward these titles. Even if the text puts them off, they will be drawn to the illustrations. These adaptations would make wonderful additions to any school or public library’s manga collection.” —VOYA “Refreshingly clear, this adaptation is recommended for all libraries serving teens.” —Kirkus Reviews “This fresh new way of looking at a classic will draw new readers to Shakespeare, hopefully to discover that his plays are really quite entertaining.” —YAbookscentral.com Shakespeare’s most commonly studied plays, now the latest additions to the innovative Manga Shakespeare series “Double double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble . . .” So say the eerie trio of witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a story full of ghosts, witches, bloody ambition, and nonstop action. After Macbeth hears the witches’ prophecy that he will be king, he will stop at nothing to make it so. Vividly adapted using Shakespeare’s own words in the fast-paced and immediate style of manga, Macbeth is the perfect addition to the Manga Shakespeare series—ideal for students and manga fans alike.F&P level: Z

Othello and As You Like It are the newest additions to the imaginative world of Manga Shakespeare. In the face of the false evidence produced by the conniving Iago, Othellocannot trust his wife, and his mistrust leads to the play’s tragic conclusion. In As You Like It, Rosalind, dressed like a boy, falls in love with Orlando. A mistaken-identity comedy follows, with a happy ending (or the ultimate justice served) for those who deserve it. Both plays have been refreshingly updated in the style of manga while maintaining Shakespeare’s beautiful language. F&P level: Z

The latest in the breakout series Manga Shakespeare, introducing teens to a new kind of Bard.Shipwrecks, long-lost families, and a powerful magician make Shakespeare’s masterpiece perfect for the Manga Shakespeare. Miranda and her father, Prospero, have been on an isolated island for twelve years. When the survivors of a shipwreck land on the island (thanks to Prospero’s magical machinations), they’re drawn into a web of coincidences, love at first sight, and old grievances that only Prospero’s forgiveness can remedy. Full of tricks and intrigue and ingeniously adapted into the manga form, The Tempest is a rollicking read for both Shakespeare aficionados and those coming to him for the first time.F&P level: Z

A comedy of mistaken identity and thwarted love, Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays and is frequently performed and studied across the country. When Viola finds herself shipwrecked, she pretends to be a male servant and falls in love with Duke Orsino. The Manga Shakespeare interpretation, which incorporates fresh ideas and thoughtful settings, will introduce the classic play to a new audience of Shakespeare fans.Praise for Twelfth Night“This manga adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy is as enjoyable as the Bard intended. Li’s sweet shojo art style fits the story perfectly, and the pseudohistorical setting is fun. Her deft touch with facial expressions, comic inserts, and chibis (cute little cartoon characters) will help readers understand the Elizabethan dialogue. This solid entry in the Manga Shakespeare series will make a useful addition to class studies, especially for teachers reluctant to use adaptations with simplified language.” –Booklist