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Book Reviews of Acting Out

Acting Out
ISBN-13: 9781416938484
ISBN-10: 1416938486
Publication Date: 6/17/2008
Pages: 192
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Atheneum
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

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GeniusJen avatar reviewed Acting Out on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

What happens when you ask six Newbery Award winners to write one-act plays? Well, you get a book like ACTING OUT, and you get the potential for a lot of fun.

Award-winning authors Avi, Susan Cooper, Sharon Creech, Patricia MacLachlan, Katherine Paterson, and Richard Peck were asked to write one-act plays. They were given the freedom to write about anything, but there was one catch. Each author picked a word which was to be used in all six plays. The words chosen were dollop, hoodwink, Justin, knuckleball, panhandle, and raven. Their creative efforts are a pleasure to read.

The subjects of the plays include school topics like the detention room and a scary substitute, a mysterious voice, a moving, talking giant rock, a childhood Edgar A. Poe, and a selfish billionaire. Each script includes stage directions, character descriptions, and production hints.

ACTING OUT is successful as a casual reading experience as well as for its potential for actual staged performances. Readers will appreciate seeing a different side of some of their favorite Newbery authors.