Companion texts for King of Shadows by Susan Cooper, including
suggested grade levels for middle school students:
1. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare (Grade 78): This play is directly referenced in King of Shadows and provides
a rich context for understanding Elizabethan theatre and themes in
Cooper's novel.
2. The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood (Grade 6-8): This
historical novel follows a young boy who is sent to steal
Shakespeare's play Hamlet but ends up joining the acting troupe. It
offers a similar blend of adventure and historical fiction.
3. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval
Village by Laura Amy Schlitz (Grade 6-8): This book provides a
series of monologues from children living in a medieval village,
offering insights into historical settings and character perspectives.
4. The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (Grade 7-8): This novel
features a seventh-grader who spends Wednesday afternoons with
his teacher reading Shakespeare, providing a modern-day
connection to the Bard's works.
5. Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach (Grade 6-8): This mystery
novel involves a young girl who discovers a valuable diamond and a
connection to Shakespeare, blending history and intrigue.
These texts can help enrich students' understanding of King of
Shadows and its historical and literary context.