DramaMade up or not, these stories are written to be as dramatic as possible in the form of a play.Reviews by seventh graders. Arsenic and Old Lace , byJoseph Kesselring (comedy) Arsenic and Old Lace is a play about two old ladies, Martha and Abby, who are sisters. They live their lives doing charitable deeds for others. Martha and Abby open up their home to old men who have no family left and go through their life in misery. Hoping to put an end to their sadness, Abby and Martha brew elderberry wine with a smidgen of the deadly poison, Arsenic. They feed this to their men, and believe that they are helping by putting them to death in a peaceful way so they can leave their dreadful lives behind. Their nephew, Teddy, digs their graves in the cellar, thinking that he is Teddy Roosevelt digging the Panama Canal and burying yellow fever victims. One day, another nephew, Mortimer, stumbles onto one of these victims and strives to stop his aunts from poisoning innocent men. Meanwhile, the third nephew comes back to the Brewster home after leaving Brooklyn many years earlier. Jonathan, like the aunts, happens also to be a murderer, but his intentions are not so good. Jonathan travels with his plastic surgeon Dr. Einstein so that he can change Jonathan’s face to avoid detection by the police. Find out what happens in this hysterical comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace! I really enjoyed reading this play. It cracked me up knowing that two darling old ladies were killing people GUILT-FREE and with GOOD intentions! I recommend this book to anyone who could use a laugh, and even though this involve murder, it is not repulsive or scary. Happy reading! :) Eva W. A Midsummer Night's Dream, by William Shakespeare (comedy, drama)
This a very entertaining love story with many interesting twists and turns. The play contains a few different plots, each one intertwining with the next. The opening scene shows a woman talking to her betrothed. These people are Theseus and Hippolyta. Theseus is royalty of some kind, possibly a lord. A man comes in and starts stating his problems. A young woman named Hermia and a young man named Lysander are very much in love with each other. They wish to get married, but this man, Hermia’s father, does not approve of their love. He wants Hermia to marry a man named Demetrius, who used to love a young woman named Helena, but is now infatuated with Hermia and hates Lysander. Helena, of course, is still in love with Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander, trying to escape her father’s cruel orders, flee into a magical forest. Demetrius follows Hermia and Helena follows Demetrius. Meanwhile, the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania, are in the midst of a huge disagreement. Titania is very fond of a lord named Theseus. Oberon wishes to have this lord as a page, but Titania does not want to be parted from her beloved Theseus. Oberon and his assistant/jester form a plan to put the juice of a magic flower on Titania’s sleeping eyes. This juice will make her fall in love with another creature. This way, Oberon can convince her to leave Theseus. While Oberon is waiting for his assistant, he happens to eavesdrop on Helena and Demetrius arguing, for she loves him and he hates her. Oberon is sympathetic towards Helena and tells Puck (when he gets back with the flower) to put the flower’s juice on the sleeping Athenian’s eyes, meaning Demetrius. Little does he know that Lysander, another Athenian, is also in the forest. Inevitably, the two fairies will throw everything into chaos and cause more harm than good between the lovers. In the mix up, Titania will fall in love with a dimwitted man, rehearsing for a dimwitted play, who currently has a donkey’s head. The show all takes place on a midsummer’s night; hence, the title of the play. As you can see, this is a comical romantic drama that will always keep the reader surprised by interesting twists but at the same time, laughing fit to burst. I thoroughly enjoyed this play and hope that you do, as well. This play can be read in the original, Shakespearian language or in modern English translation; consequently, it is suited for both middle and upper schoolers. Becca T.
Born Yesterday
, by Garson Kanin (drama)
Born Yesterday
is a thought provoking, interesting story. One of the main characters, Brock, is a backwards, trickster millionaire. Eddie (who is Brock's cousin but still works for him) and his lawyer Devery are always with him. Paul Verrel is a reporter trying to get to the hidden 'scum' like Brock and gather information on them. They actually stay across the hall from each other at the same fancy hotel. Brock is in Washington since he has schemed up a plan to get the scrap metal from the war (in Europe, World War Two) and make a lot of money from it. Though Brock is also a little on the 'thick' side, his wants his ditsy, blonde girlfriend Billie to get more education. Brock offers Paul a vast amount of money to educate Bille since they are moving up in status and business. After learning many things with Paul, Billie begins to realize what Brock is really like. Shira P.
Brighton Beach Memoirs, by Neil Simon (comedy) This play revolves around Eugene Jerome, a fifteen year old boy living with his brother and parents in Brooklyn, New York in 1937, and his struggle to maintain good relations with his family. When his brother Stanley disrespects his boss, he is fired and faced with a choice either to apologize or remain unemployed. Stanley asks his brother, Eugene, for advice, but Eugene is too busy admiring his cousin Nora and dreaming about what it would be like to play for the Yankees. Tensions rise in the house especially between Kate, wife of Jack and mother to Stanley and Eugene, and Blanche, the widowed mom of Nora and Laurie, when the Jerome family takes Blanche, Nora, and Laurie into their home because they have nowhere to stay. Blanche takes all their help and hospitality for granted and angers Kate as a result. After he loses all of his salary by betting on a pool game, Stanley decides to run away to join the army to escape the tension and drama. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this play. The beginning was a little boring, but as the play progressed, the conflicts and characters developed; it turned out to be a humorous yet reflective story. Eugene’s commentary over the course of this play is hilarious and appealing! I give this play a 4/5. I hope to get the chance in the near future to read another play by Neil Simon! Mike L.
Dial “M” for Murder, by Frederick Knott (drama, mystery) This play takes place in London and revolves around a retired tennis player and his plot to murder his wife out of jealousy and greed. When he discovers that his wife, Margot, is having an affair with an accomplished mystery-writer, he is angry and decides to hire an assassin to kill her. He takes much time deciding whom he should hire to kill his wife, and finally decides to hire a fellow college graduate, Lesgate, who has gotten himself into gambling trouble over the past few years. Tony, the retired tennis player, blackmails Lesgate to kill his wife. However, Margot manages to kill the assassin and Tony is forced to cover up his involvement in the murder plot. The detective on the case, Hubbard, is forced to uncover the secret behind the mystery. I enjoyed the play very much because it was suspenseful and exciting. The twists and turns make for a gripping and thrilling read! I give it a 9 out of 10! Gabriella A.
Dial "M" for Murder, By Frederick Knott ( mystery)
The play, Dial “M” for Murder, is about a couple, Margot and Tony, living in England not too long ago, who have a very complicated relationship. Tony used to be a professional tennis player, and during the time when he traveled, Margot had an affair. After many years, Tony finds out about the affair and he plots to hire someone to murder Margot. Now, this story is not one that is easy to follow. Many interesting and suspenseful events take place so the reader may get a bit confused, but towards the end of the play, all the loose ends are tied together. I would recommend this book first, because I am very interested in reading mysteries, and this story definitely lives up to my expectations if not beyond. Second, this play is very well written and the characters are quite intriguing. The descriptions really make you want to continue reading to know what happens next. Third, this book can be read by anyone; both boys and girls can enjoy it, for it is not all about gory fight scenes or killing people, but has just the right amount of suspense to make the reader feel as though the next scene will be the best scene. Jenna O.
Driving Miss Daisy, byAlfred Uhry (drama) Driving Miss Daisy is play about a Jewish woman who gets a driver against her will. In 1948 Atlanta, Miss Daisy, the Jewish woman, is at first opposed to the idea of needing a driver, but Boolie Werthan, her son, insists that she needs one to avoid any further car accidents. Miss Daisy is so angry about having a driver that she tries to get him fired for stealing her can of tuna fish. Not only is she opposed to the idea of a driver, but he is black, which is not socially acceptable. The height of her anger happens when the driver, Hoke, gets lost on the way to Uncle Walter’s 90th birthday party; however, over time she learns to enjoy his company and appreciate the help he has to offer. This heartwarming play revolves around not only their friendship, but her relationship with her son who has married a non-Jew. I encourage everyone to read this uplifting story; I give it an 8.5 out of 10! –Yarden.L
Harvey, by Mary Chase (comedy) This comedy, Harvey, revolves around Elwood, a peculiar man, who sees an imaginary 6 foot rabbit (named Harvey) whom he believes is his best friend. The scene is set as Veta (Elwood’s sister) hosts a party at Elwood’s mansion. She makes sure Elwood is out of the house so he won’t frighten people by introducing them to Harvey. Veta gets fed up with Elwood after he comes home and ruins the party by introducing people to his rabbit friend. She takes him to a sanitarium. In a mix-up, Dr. Sanderson, a doctor at the mental hospital, assumes that she is a patient in the sanitarium because she is talking about a 6 foot rabbit. It’s hilarious to read about her struggling to get out of there. By the time the doctors learn that Elwood is the deranged one, Veta has already filed a lawsuit against the sanitarium for stripping her, bathing her, and admitting her. Then everyone goes on a wild goose chase to find Elwood. Will they find him? If so, what will they do with him now? What can they do? Use your imagination or read the book! (Reading the book would be the right way to go.) Bury yourself in this astounding, clever and amusing farce to discover what arises at the end of this comedy! Ethan E.
Harvey, by Mary Chase (Drama)
Imagine if your brother came home one day with a big invisible rabbit. How would you feel? Well, in the play Harvey, Veta feels very bad and embarrassed when her brother Elwood enters with an invisible six foot rabbit. She eventually gets so upset that she takes Elwood to Dr. Chumley’s sanitarium. There, the doctors think Veta is crazy because of her story about Harvey. The doctors take Veta to be treated and Elwood is able to leave, when he is the one that should be treated. Or is he?I recommend Harvey because it is very climactic. There are many exciting moments like the one described above. Also, Harvey is a very short play. There are some parts that are slightly disturbing, and some parts that can be a little bit scary, but in the end, everything turns out fine.
Samuel H.
The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde (comedy) In this play, Ernest Worthing goes to his friend Algernon Moncrieff’s house to pay a visit. After a brief argument there, Ernest confesses his name is really Jack at his country house. To his country family, he has a brother named Ernest who is his excuse to visit the city because he is “‘sick’”. Whenever Jack feels like going to the city, he claims Ernest is again deathly ill. Algernon finds this very funny when he discovers this and makes up a friend named Bunbury so he can pretend to be Jack’s brother on a trip to the country. Who knew that Jack would be returning that same day, carrying the news of his brother’s “‘death’”! Soon, the reader learns that both Algernon (Ernest) and Jack (Ernest)’s lovers are at the country house and think they are engaged to the same man! Both women, Cecily and Gwendolyn, are merely in love with the name “Ernest” and no other; that is why there is an importance in having the name Ernest. Read this book to find out what happens next in this twisted love story! Overall I would give this book 4 out of 5; it was not my, but it kept a steady momentum and was funny at times. It kept my attention but I to the point where I couldn’t put it down. I'd recommend this book to mostly to girls because it is a romantic and sweet story. Bianca N.
The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde (comedy) The Importance of Being Earnest is a very complicated play. The play takes place in London and the countryside of England. The main characters names’ are Jack and Algernon. Throughout the book they struggle to be honest. They tell lies and get so very caught up in them. Jack has an imaginary brother named Earnest, and Algernon has an imaginary friend named Bunbury. Jack and Algernon both use these characters as excuses to tell lies to other people. They both pretend to be one person in the city and another in the country. This double life makes life very crazy for them. Overall, the most important message in this story is that you always need to be honest, and if you tell the truth, good outcomes will result from your honesty. The title of the book has a double meaning, one is that it is important to be honest and the other is the importance of the name Ernest. We rate this book a 4 out of 5. It is interesting, but also difficult and at times hard to figure out the story line. We recommend this book to kids over 12.
Tayla M. and Tali R.
The Odd Couple,by Neil Simon (comedy)
This very funny play takes place in an apartment in New York City on Riverside Drive. The story revolves around the lives of two friends, Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar. Felix finds himself homeless after his wife, Francis, divorces him. When Oscar and his poker friends call Felix’ house to find why he did not show up for poker night, they discover Francis left Felix. After persuading Felix not to commit suicide, they convince him to stay at least one night at Oscar’s eight room apartment. Oscar and Felix, “the odd couple,” find themselves easily frustrated with each other because of their conflicting personalities. Oscar is a messy slob who never cleans up after himself, while Felix is a neat freak who cleans everything that is dirty. Overall, the play was not only very funny, it was engaging and kept my interest throughout the story. Sometimes, the silly exchanges between Oscar and Felix had me laughing out loud! I give this play five stars, because it was hilarious and very entertaining! Randy F.
Ten Little Indians, by Agatha Christie (drama, mystery, horror)
This play includes ten main characters Wargrave, Lombard, Vera, Emily, Rogers, Mrs. Rogers, Mackenzie, Blore, Marston, and Armstrong. It takes place in Devon, England on an isolated island. The play is about ten people who had never met each other but were all invited to a mysterious island by a person named Mr. Owen. The play starts to get interesting when someone dies and a glass Indian is broken. Originally, there were ten little glass Indians on a fireplace above a nursery rhyme. Now there are nine. Trust me, this play is worth the read. Sam C.
Ten Little Indians,by Agatha Christie (drama, mystery) Ten Little Indians, by Agatha Christie, is a book about ten strangers who find themselves stuck on an island off the coast of England. When they get there, they see ten Indian figurines on a table. One by one, these strangers begin to die on this spooky island. After each one dies, an Indian figurine disappears. It is up to the survivors of the initial ten strangers to solve the mystery. They know that one of them in the group is really Mr. Owen, the man behind all the murders and the one who invited all of them to the island.. I loved this play because it was very mysterious; it made me wonder who the murderer was the entire time! This suspenseful page-turner will keep everyone interested! I would give this play a 9/10! Max S.
You Can’t Take it With You, by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman (drama, comedy)
This play is very funny and has a very meaningful moral. It revolves around the life of the Vanderhouf family, which consists of a tax evading grandfather, a erotic playwright mother named Penny, a rocket exploding father named Paul, a ballet dancing daughter named Essie, an ice seller who showed up at the door and never left named Mr. DePinna, and a “normal” sister named Alice. She is engaged to a man named Tony, whose family is the exact opposite of the Vanderhoufs. The action takes place in New York City in the year 1936. At the start of the play we are introduced to Grandpa as he opens up a letter from the IRS asking why he has not paid income tax for the past 24 years. He immediately throws it out after declaring that he does not believe in income tax. Later on he is visited by an IRS agent who begins questioning Grandpa about his crime. Upon leaving, the agent warns that this isn't the end; the government will be back! To find out what happens next, you must read the play. I really enjoyed reading this play. I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. Danny N.
Arsenic and Old Lace , by Joseph Kesselring (comedy)
Arsenic and Old Lace is a play about two old ladies, Martha and Abby, who are sisters. They live their lives doing charitable deeds for others. Martha and Abby open up their home to old men who have no family left and go through their life in misery. Hoping to put an end to their sadness, Abby and Martha brew elderberry wine with a smidgen of the deadly poison, Arsenic. They feed this to their men, and believe that they are helping by putting them to death in a peaceful way so they can leave their dreadful lives behind. Their nephew, Teddy, digs their graves in the cellar, thinking that he is Teddy Roosevelt digging the Panama Canal and burying yellow fever victims. One day, another nephew, Mortimer, stumbles onto one of these victims and strives to stop his aunts from poisoning innocent men. Meanwhile, the third nephew comes back to the Brewster home after leaving Brooklyn many years earlier. Jonathan, like the aunts, happens also to be a murderer, but his intentions are not so good. Jonathan travels with his plastic surgeon Dr. Einstein so that he can change Jonathan’s face to avoid detection by the police. Find out what happens in this hysterical comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace! I really enjoyed reading this play. It cracked me up knowing that two darling old ladies were killing people GUILT-FREE and with GOOD intentions! I recommend this book to anyone who could use a laugh, and even though this involve murder, it is not repulsive or scary. Happy reading! :) Eva W.
A Midsummer Night's Dream, by William Shakespeare (comedy, drama)
This a very entertaining love story with many interesting twists and turns. The play contains a few different plots, each one intertwining with the next. The opening scene shows a woman talking to her betrothed. These people are Theseus and Hippolyta. Theseus is royalty of some kind, possibly a lord. A man comes in and starts stating his problems. A young woman named Hermia and a young man named Lysander are very much in love with each other. They wish to get married, but this man, Hermia’s father, does not approve of their love. He wants Hermia to marry a man named Demetrius, who used to love a young woman named Helena, but is now infatuated with Hermia and hates Lysander. Helena, of course, is still in love with Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander, trying to escape her father’s cruel orders, flee into a magical forest. Demetrius follows Hermia and Helena follows Demetrius. Meanwhile, the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania, are in the midst of a huge disagreement. Titania is very fond of a lord named Theseus. Oberon wishes to have this lord as a page, but Titania does not want to be parted from her beloved Theseus. Oberon and his assistant/jester form a plan to put the juice of a magic flower on Titania’s sleeping eyes. This juice will make her fall in love with another creature. This way, Oberon can convince her to leave Theseus. While Oberon is waiting for his assistant, he happens to eavesdrop on Helena and Demetrius arguing, for she loves him and he hates her. Oberon is sympathetic towards Helena and tells Puck (when he gets back with the flower) to put the flower’s juice on the sleeping Athenian’s eyes, meaning Demetrius. Little does he know that Lysander, another Athenian, is also in the forest. Inevitably, the two fairies will throw everything into chaos and cause more harm than good between the lovers. In the mix up, Titania will fall in love with a dimwitted man, rehearsing for a dimwitted play, who currently has a donkey’s head. The show all takes place on a midsummer’s night; hence, the title of the play. As you can see, this is a comical romantic drama that will always keep the reader surprised by interesting twists but at the same time, laughing fit to burst. I thoroughly enjoyed this play and hope that you do, as well. This play can be read in the original, Shakespearian language or in modern English translation; consequently, it is suited for both middle and upper schoolers. Becca T.
Born Yesterday
, by Garson Kanin (drama)
Born Yesterday
is a thought provoking, interesting story. One of the main characters, Brock, is a backwards, trickster millionaire. Eddie (who is Brock's cousin but still works for him) and his lawyer Devery are always with him. Paul Verrel is a reporter trying to get to the hidden 'scum' like Brock and gather information on them. They actually stay across the hall from each other at the same fancy hotel. Brock is in Washington since he has schemed up a plan to get the scrap metal from the war (in Europe, World War Two) and make a lot of money from it. Though Brock is also a little on the 'thick' side, his wants his ditsy, blonde girlfriend Billie to get more education. Brock offers Paul a vast amount of money to educate Bille since they are moving up in status and business. After learning many things with Paul, Billie begins to realize what Brock is really like. Shira P.
Brighton Beach Memoirs, by Neil Simon (comedy)
This play revolves around Eugene Jerome, a fifteen year old boy living with his brother and parents in Brooklyn, New York in 1937, and his struggle to maintain good relations with his family. When his brother Stanley disrespects his boss, he is fired and faced with a choice either to apologize or remain unemployed. Stanley asks his brother, Eugene, for advice, but Eugene is too busy admiring his cousin Nora and dreaming about what it would be like to play for the Yankees. Tensions rise in the house especially between Kate, wife of Jack and mother to Stanley and Eugene, and Blanche, the widowed mom of Nora and Laurie, when the Jerome family takes Blanche, Nora, and Laurie into their home because they have nowhere to stay. Blanche takes all their help and hospitality for granted and angers Kate as a result. After he loses all of his salary by betting on a pool game, Stanley decides to run away to join the army to escape the tension and drama. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this play. The beginning was a little boring, but as the play progressed, the conflicts and characters developed; it turned out to be a humorous yet reflective story. Eugene’s commentary over the course of this play is hilarious and appealing! I give this play a 4/5. I hope to get the chance in the near future to read another play by Neil Simon!
Mike L.
Dial “M” for Murder, by Frederick Knott (drama, mystery)
This play takes place in London and revolves around a retired tennis player and his plot to murder his wife out of jealousy and greed. When he discovers that his wife, Margot, is having an affair with an accomplished mystery-writer, he is angry and decides to hire an assassin to kill her. He takes much time deciding whom he should hire to kill his wife, and finally decides to hire a fellow college graduate, Lesgate, who has gotten himself into gambling trouble over the past few years. Tony, the retired tennis player, blackmails Lesgate to kill his wife. However, Margot manages to kill the assassin and Tony is forced to cover up his involvement in the murder plot. The detective on the case, Hubbard, is forced to uncover the secret behind the mystery. I enjoyed the play very much because it was suspenseful and exciting. The twists and turns make for a gripping and thrilling read! I give it a 9 out of 10! Gabriella A.
Dial "M" for Murder, By Frederick Knott ( mystery)
The play, Dial “M” for Murder, is about a couple, Margot and Tony, living in England not too long ago, who have a very complicated relationship. Tony used to be a professional tennis player, and during the time when he traveled, Margot had an affair. After many years, Tony finds out about the affair and he plots to hire someone to murder Margot. Now, this story is not one that is easy to follow. Many interesting and suspenseful events take place so the reader may get a bit confused, but towards the end of the play, all the loose ends are tied together. I would recommend this book first, because I am very interested in reading mysteries, and this story definitely lives up to my expectations if not beyond. Second, this play is very well written and the characters are quite intriguing. The descriptions really make you want to continue reading to know what happens next. Third, this book can be read by anyone; both boys and girls can enjoy it, for it is not all about gory fight scenes or killing people, but has just the right amount of suspense to make the reader feel as though the next scene will be the best scene. Jenna O.
Driving Miss Daisy, by Alfred Uhry (drama)
Driving Miss Daisy is play about a Jewish woman who gets a driver against her will. In 1948 Atlanta, Miss Daisy, the Jewish woman, is at first opposed to the idea of needing a driver, but Boolie Werthan, her son, insists that she needs one to avoid any further car accidents. Miss Daisy is so angry about having a driver that she tries to get him fired for stealing her can of tuna fish. Not only is she opposed to the idea of a driver, but he is black, which is not socially acceptable. The height of her anger happens when the driver, Hoke, gets lost on the way to Uncle Walter’s 90th birthday party; however, over time she learns to enjoy his company and appreciate the help he has to offer. This heartwarming play revolves around not only their friendship, but her relationship with her son who has married a non-Jew. I encourage everyone to read this uplifting story; I give it an 8.5 out of 10! –Yarden.L
Harvey, by Mary Chase (comedy)
This comedy, Harvey, revolves around Elwood, a peculiar man, who sees an imaginary 6 foot rabbit (named Harvey) whom he believes is his best friend. The scene is set as Veta (Elwood’s sister) hosts a party at Elwood’s mansion. She makes sure Elwood is out of the house so he won’t frighten people by introducing them to Harvey. Veta gets fed up with Elwood after he comes home and ruins the party by introducing people to his rabbit friend. She takes him to a sanitarium. In a mix-up, Dr. Sanderson, a doctor at the mental hospital, assumes that she is a patient in the sanitarium because she is talking about a 6 foot rabbit. It’s hilarious to read about her struggling to get out of there. By the time the doctors learn that Elwood is the deranged one, Veta has already filed a lawsuit against the sanitarium for stripping her, bathing her, and admitting her. Then everyone goes on a wild goose chase to find Elwood. Will they find him? If so, what will they do with him now? What can they do? Use your imagination or read the book! (Reading the book would be the right way to go.) Bury yourself in this astounding, clever and amusing farce to discover what arises at the end of this comedy!
Ethan E.
Harvey, by Mary Chase (Drama)
Imagine if your brother came home one day with a big invisible rabbit. How would you feel? Well, in the play Harvey, Veta feels very bad and embarrassed when her brother Elwood enters with an invisible six foot rabbit. She eventually gets so upset that she takes Elwood to Dr. Chumley’s sanitarium. There, the doctors think Veta is crazy because of her story about Harvey. The doctors take Veta to be treated and Elwood is able to leave, when he is the one that should be treated. Or is he?I recommend Harvey because it is very climactic. There are many exciting moments like the one described above. Also, Harvey is a very short play. There are some parts that are slightly disturbing, and some parts that can be a little bit scary, but in the end, everything turns out fine.
Samuel H.
The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde (comedy)
In this play, Ernest Worthing goes to his friend Algernon Moncrieff’s house to pay a visit. After a brief argument there, Ernest confesses his name is really Jack at his country house. To his country family, he has a brother named Ernest who is his excuse to visit the city because he is “‘sick’”. Whenever Jack feels like going to the city, he claims Ernest is again deathly ill. Algernon finds this very funny when he discovers this and makes up a friend named Bunbury so he can pretend to be Jack’s brother on a trip to the country. Who knew that Jack would be returning that same day, carrying the news of his brother’s “‘death’”! Soon, the reader learns that both Algernon (Ernest) and Jack (Ernest)’s lovers are at the country house and think they are engaged to the same man! Both women, Cecily and Gwendolyn, are merely in love with the name “Ernest” and no other; that is why there is an importance in having the name Ernest. Read this book to find out what happens next in this twisted love story! Overall I would give this book 4 out of 5; it was not my, but it kept a steady momentum and was funny at times. It kept my attention but I to the point where I couldn’t put it down. I'd recommend this book to mostly to girls because it is a romantic and sweet story. Bianca N.
The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde (comedy)
The Importance of Being Earnest is a very complicated play. The play takes place in London and the countryside of England. The main characters names’ are Jack and Algernon. Throughout the book they struggle to be honest. They tell lies and get so very caught up in them. Jack has an imaginary brother named Earnest, and Algernon has an imaginary friend named Bunbury. Jack and Algernon both use these characters as excuses to tell lies to other people. They both pretend to be one person in the city and another in the country. This double life makes life very crazy for them. Overall, the most important message in this story is that you always need to be honest, and if you tell the truth, good outcomes will result from your honesty. The title of the book has a double meaning, one is that it is important to be honest and the other is the importance of the name Ernest. We rate this book a 4 out of 5. It is interesting, but also difficult and at times hard to figure out the story line. We recommend this book to kids over 12.
Tayla M. and Tali R.
The Odd Couple, by Neil Simon (comedy)
This very funny play takes place in an apartment in New York City on Riverside Drive. The story revolves around the lives of two friends, Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar. Felix finds himself homeless after his wife, Francis, divorces him. When Oscar and his poker friends call Felix’ house to find why he did not show up for poker night, they discover Francis left Felix. After persuading Felix not to commit suicide, they convince him to stay at least one night at Oscar’s eight room apartment. Oscar and Felix, “the odd couple,” find themselves easily frustrated with each other because of their conflicting personalities. Oscar is a messy slob who never cleans up after himself, while Felix is a neat freak who cleans everything that is dirty. Overall, the play was not only very funny, it was engaging and kept my interest throughout the story. Sometimes, the silly exchanges between Oscar and Felix had me laughing out loud! I give this play five stars, because it was hilarious and very entertaining! Randy F.
Ten Little Indians, by Agatha Christie (drama, mystery, horror)
This play includes ten main characters Wargrave, Lombard, Vera, Emily, Rogers, Mrs. Rogers, Mackenzie, Blore, Marston, and Armstrong. It takes place in Devon, England on an isolated island. The play is about ten people who had never met each other but were all invited to a mysterious island by a person named Mr. Owen. The play starts to get interesting when someone dies and a glass Indian is broken. Originally, there were ten little glass Indians on a fireplace above a nursery rhyme. Now there are nine. Trust me, this play is worth the read. Sam C.
Ten Little Indians, by Agatha Christie (drama, mystery)
Ten Little Indians, by Agatha Christie, is a book about ten strangers who find themselves stuck on an island off the coast of England. When they get there, they see ten Indian figurines on a table. One by one, these strangers begin to die on this spooky island. After each one dies, an Indian figurine disappears. It is up to the survivors of the initial ten strangers to solve the mystery. They know that one of them in the group is really Mr. Owen, the man behind all the murders and the one who invited all of them to the island.. I loved this play because it was very mysterious; it made me wonder who the murderer was the entire time! This suspenseful page-turner will keep everyone interested! I would give this play a 9/10! Max S.
You Can’t Take it With You, by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman (drama, comedy)
This play is very funny and has a very meaningful moral. It revolves around the life of the Vanderhouf family, which consists of a tax evading grandfather, a erotic playwright mother named Penny, a rocket exploding father named Paul, a ballet dancing daughter named Essie, an ice seller who showed up at the door and never left named Mr. DePinna, and a “normal” sister named Alice. She is engaged to a man named Tony, whose family is the exact opposite of the Vanderhoufs. The action takes place in New York City in the year 1936. At the start of the play we are introduced to Grandpa as he opens up a letter from the IRS asking why he has not paid income tax for the past 24 years. He immediately throws it out after declaring that he does not believe in income tax. Later on he is visited by an IRS agent who begins questioning Grandpa about his crime. Upon leaving, the agent warns that this isn't the end; the government will be back! To find out what happens next, you must read the play. I really enjoyed reading this play. I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. Danny N.