William the II

by Virginia Austin

The story of a homeless eleven-year-old boy quoting lines of Shakespeare as he wanders the streets of Chicago after the loss of his father. In a sudden turn to comedy, William meets a sarcastic twelve-year-old girl on the playground of an elite private school who decides to run away and help him search for new parents. One replete with the witticism of the world s most famous playwright and the other abound with the biting commentary of an angst-ridden little girl, the two precocious children are perfectly armed to begin their quest.

202 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2013

About the author

Virginia Austin is a writer from Chicago, IL. While the author's novels usually focus on social issues, it is never forgotten that the main objective of writing fiction is to entertain. When not writing either books or screenplays, Austin works at a nuclear plant turning out designs and calculations.

“You should never write to make a living. Rather, you should write to make your own life, and the one around you, more understandable.”

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this book. Like a Harry Potter novel, it is fitting for both young and old. And the lines of Shakespeare are not off-putting at all, as William wields them both succinctly and appropriately. But I found that Katherine definitely steals the show as her sarcastic comments are just so well timed. She has this perfect blend of innocence and precociousness. All along though, you realize that she is just looking for a good friend whom she finds in William. I also liked the integration of Shakespeare’s plays within this one. You can tell that Austin has mapped out a very detailed novel while not letting it get in the way. I would recommend it for any twelve-year-old as I would for someone of any age. It’s just a sweetheart of a book. If you want to introduce your child to the wonders of Shakespeare or just want to sit back and read about the developing friendship of two children during a tragedy then this is it.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book!!! The main characters in the book who happened to be children where way wiser beyond there years. I actually fell in love with both of them for very different reasons. Without giving to much away I just want to say that dealing with tragedy is hard enough but to be a young child and be able to continue on with courage, strength and even some Shakespeare made me want to learn more about William and what lied ahead for him. And then he met Katherine! A sassy little girl with attitude, wit and well lets just say there is a lot more to read!!! Thank you for taking me on an endearing journey! Oh, I also must say this was a great way to revisit the beautiful city of Chicago!

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe I expected too much from this book, though there were some good points. Overall, I was so disinterested in the read, I had to force myself through it. Almost all of it is unbelievable, yet we are to believe it is. If this were a children's book, the experience would have been enjoyable. And the ending, not at all what I was expecting from a book that had too sweet of a center.

[Tricha Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story showed how much individuals need others. Both William and Kate even though coming from different backgrounds help each other to obtain things that they need.

[Barbie Elsasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Billy. I adored this book.