Spanking Shakespeare

I am not sure what to say about Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner. It is really laugh-out-loud funny, irreverent and borders on obscene in parts. It’s not a book for everyone, but if you are looking for something to make you laugh and don’t mind reading about bowel movements, sex and other adolescent issues, this is a good book for you.

Shakespeare Shapiro is a senior at Hemingway High School where the major project for all seniors is to write a memoir. In his memoir, Shakespeare shares the funniest and most embarrassing moments in his life, from being born on Hitler's birthday ("Whenever I did anything wrong, my father would call me Adolf") to his father's blackmail techniques ("I'm about ten seconds away from telling you things [about our sex life] that will haunt you for the rest of your life," his father cheerfully threatens an 11-year-old Shakespeare). With his dysfunctional family and terrible luck, it is easy for the reader to feel sorry for Shakespeare even as he sinks into bouts of self-pity. However, Shakespeare meets Charlotte and realizes that his life is not so bad after all. Keep in mind that nothing is off limits to Wizner: he pokes fun of bodily functions, sex and religion in this book.

Gray smudges make it look like a teen really slaved over the writing and revising of this book. I even tried several times to unfold the corner that is part of the unusual appearance that makes this book different.

Like I said, this book is not for everyone, but if you enjoy off-color humor, you will enjoy Shakespeare Shapiro. The author Jake Wizner teaches 8th grade English and History, so it is easy to see where some of his humor comes from.