The Shakespeare Stealer

I liked this book written by Gary Blackwood. 14-year-old Widge was orphaned as a baby during the late 16th century and has been apprenticed to different men of doubtful reputation. His most recent master is a cruel man named Falconer. He orders the boy to sit in on a performance of Hamlet and copy down the dialogue so he can sell the story. Widge is unable to capture the whole script during the first show and when he goes back again, is spotted. To avoid getting into trouble, he concocts a tale about how he has always wanted to act and they let him join the crew.

There are two sequels to the novel. Hamlet was first performed in 1607. The Globe Theatre in London was destroyed by fire in 1613, but was rebuilt the next year.