Stage Fright On A Summer Night (2002) - Plot & Excerpts
This story is about the time whaen Annie and Jack visited Old England and soon discovered that they lived really differently then right now. The ysaw the old london bridge they read in their research book that the old London bridge always falls down and Annie mentioned thats where they got that old song"London Bridge is fallen down,falling down...London Bridge is falling down.....". They soon saw a lot of people ran quickly towards a large theartre and kids told Annie and Jack "hurry,hurry, it's almost time!"Jack and Annie wondered waht they meant and soon they saw this man walk towards them looking for somebody and the man asked Jack if he cna help him act during the big play in the theatre and Annie wanted to participate as well but the man said females aren't allowed on stage. But Annie said that she can hide her pigtails and look like a boy. As they dressed up and practiced their lines they have notcied that the act was named "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and Annie was familiar to that title in school. As it was Jack's turn to go up on stage he suddenly had stage fright and just read his lines. He remember what Will said to him,just read expressive and wth feeling. Soon he got rid of it and didn't have to worry about it anymore. As the yplay was over many people shouted and showed that they really enjoyed the play and Jack suddenly saw Queen Elizabeth rise in the balcony and cheer, Jack noticed her teeth were black. As they headed out the doors they went back to their treehouse by Will taking them a short boat ride.Annie asked him why Queen Elizabeth's teeth were so black and wiull said too much sugar. He explaine dthe real magic of talent,acting, performing, pretending to be someone, and feeling on stage.As they arrived they said bye and he siad he will miss both of them and they will also miss him a lot. Will decided to tell them his real name and he said William Shakespeare and Annia and Jack left and said goodbye. As they climbed up the magic tree house they noticed that they heard that name before "William Shakespeare" and they both siad that they heard that in school that he was the greatest and king of writing ang expressing stories and feelings.
“Stage Fright on a Summer Night” is the 25th book in this series. This book is about when Jack and Annie travel back in time to when William Shakespeare was alive. Jack and Annie travel to London, England to search for magic. When they first arrive Annie sees a bear that is used for bear fights. She thinks it is mean to make bears fight each other. While they are there they meet a man named Will. Will overheard Jack reading, and wanted Jack to be in his play. Jack was nervous about being in the play, but he does it anyways. After the play was done, Annie decided she wanted to steal the bear she saw in the cage. Annie soon was caught by the bear’s owner. Will decided he would buy the bear, so it did not have to be used to fight. A while later Jack and Annie discover that Will is really William Shakespeare. Once they said goodbye, Jack and Annie traveled back to their hometown.The main characters in this book are Jack, Annie, and William Shakespeare. Jack is eight years old, and is very cautious when it comes to his sister. Annie is seven years old, and loves to go on adventures. William Shakespeare is a great writer from Elizabethan times.The setting of this book takes place back in time to when Queen Elizabeth ruled England. The play that take place in this book is located at The Globe Theater. This book starts out in present times, but then moves back in time.I recommend this book to children who are reading chapter books. This book is fun, and easy to follow. This was a good book, and it kept my interest.
What do You think about Stage Fright On A Summer Night (2002)?
In this story, Jack and Annie travel to 'merry olde England' (no I did not misspell old haha). They don't see much of London, since most the story takes place around the London bridge, but it was still interesting. Mrs. Osborne decided to focus on theater and bit of animal rights activity. Jack and Annie end up helping Shakespeare with a play and rescue a bear from bear fighting, which apparently was common in London/England at that time. We even get some fun facts about the Queen of England. It was more light hearted than the last few books, too, since no disasters happen. Anyone who enjoys the MTH series would love this book :)
—Rubi
Book 25 in the MTH series begins a new series of missions for Jack and Annie. Morgan tells them they are going to learn magic. Each mission will have its own rhyme. The first one is:"To find a special magic, you must step into the lightAnd without wand, spell or charm,Turn daytime into light."The research book they are given is titled Merry Olde England. So off they go, to Elizabethan London where they actually meet William Shakespeare on the street, are asked to perform at the Globe Theatre, and act in a play in front of Queen Elizabeth I.Annie also sets a bear free, which was in a cage and slated to take part in fighting with a dog. That was a popular spectator sport at that time.Jack and Annie learn that in the theater, magic happens when actors create a scene for themselves and the audience that is believable and takes them away from their everyday lives.A fun adventure!Read in Austin from Drew's library.
—Anna
Jack and Annie are on another adventure back in time. They are traveling to London, England and they have to find out how to change daytime into night. They go all around London to try to figure out how they are going to change daytime into night. They meet a couple famous people that they didn't realize first who they actually were. Jack thinks this is impossible but Annie on the other hand never loses faith. Will they find a way to change daytime into night? Pick up this book today! Marry Pope Osborne does a very good job on keeping you into this series and they are always a fast read. If you are looking for a fast read and just to get out and read I would recommend reading this series or even just a book in this series!
—Macey Schoenick
