Hag-Seed
William Shakespeare's The Tempest Retold: A Novel
by Margaret Atwood
Hogarth 2017
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
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Genre
Themes
- revenge and forgiveness
- grief and healing
- art as transformation and rehabilitation
- power, betrayal, and ambition
- illusion vs. reality
- father–child relationships
- confinement and freedom
- identity and performance
About this book
Margaret Atwood reimagines Shakespeare’s The Tempest in a contemporary tale of betrayal, grief, and artistic revenge. Felix, once the visionary head of the Makeshiweg Theatre Festival, is ousted by his treacherous deputy and retreats into isolation after the death of his daughter, Miranda. Years later, while running a theater program at a men’s prison, he stages an audacious Tempest that becomes the engine of his carefully plotted payback—and a path toward forgiveness and release for himself and his incarcerated cast.
Setting: Contemporary Canada—primarily the Makeshiweg Theatre Festival (modeled on Stratford, Ontario) and the Fletcher County Correctional Institute
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hag-Seed right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Hag-Seed. The reading level is AR 6, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include revenge and forgiveness, grief and healing, art as transformation and rehabilitation.
How long does it take to read Hag-Seed?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Hag-Seed takes around 9.2h to finish. The book has 96,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Hag-Seed have an AR quiz?
Yes — Hag-Seed has an AR quiz available, worth 14 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Hag-Seed?
Hag-Seed has an AR reading level of 6, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.