The Young Reader's Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet

by Adam McKeown

Book Overview

The latest entry in a successful new series. "Are you Romeo, and a Montague?" "Neither, fair maid, if either you dislike." Juliet smiled. This wonderfully contemporary retelling features enticing art... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439679060
• ISBN13: 9780439679060
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

SPARK AN INTEREST IN SHAKESPEARE!

A satisfactory introduction to the Bard! We borrowed this from the library and it captured my 12 year old daughter's interest--which is saying a lot, as she usually doesn't share my affinity for reading. I also borrowed the 1967 Romeo and Juliet movie, and after she read a scene in the book, we would watch that scene in the movie with the Elizabethan English (I was hoping to forge a connection between the original text and the simplified version in this book, as well as make it come alive for her). She loved it, and couldn't wait to see what happened next! The illustrations are practically identical to the characters' costumes in the movie, as well. I gave it 4 stars because I thought it took a few unnecessary liberties with the original play, and because for me, much of the charm of Shakespeare is the flowery language (which is minimal in this version), but for the most part it remained true. Hopefully, this will show my daughter how enjoyable Shakespeare can be, and give her a good head start for when she studies his works in school. Recommended, and inspired me as well--to pick up the original play to have handy on my bookshelf!