Romeo and Juliet

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:

Romeo and Juliet. Wiegle, Matt. Adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Sparknotes, New York. ISBN 978-1-4114-9874-7

PLOT SUMMARY:

This is not the classic Romeo and Juliet as written by William Shakespeare…well, sort of. This is a graphic novel. The story is the same, but it is re-told in a more understandable way. Romeo and Juliet fall in love the first time they meet. Juliet is a Capulet and Romeo is a Montague. The two families are enemies. Because of this Romeo and Juliet’s love is forbidden. They marry in secret. Romeo is banished from the city of Verona and it is arranged that Juliet will marry Paris. Juliet is already married, and Romeo is banished, not dead. She cannot take two husbands. Is Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other enough to end the war between the two familes?

CRITICAL EVALUATION:

I read Romeo and Juliet as a freshman in high school, and I haven’t read it since. I remembered the story. I also remembered not liking it. I thought that this was an interesting way to re-read this classic tale. The idea of adapting Romeo and Juliet into a graphic novel is brilliant. Teens that shy away from Shakespeare may find it less daunting. The language is similar to that of the original. The tone and wording has a Shakespeare feel. The story is there, now it’s just easier to understand. There are some terms that need explaining. The author marked them with an asterisk and provided the explanation at the bottom of the page. The artwork is in black and white, it almost looks like pencil drawing. It is odd though. The characters all look like they have bags under their eyes. This gives the book a dark erie feel. Though the words are different the story is still the same, and still not one of my favorites. It is so wordy. Even in the graphic novel, it took what seemed like an eternity to get to the point. I think that is where Romeo and Juliet loses some teens. Yet, Romeo and Juliet does seem to find its forbidden, intense love theme into many young adult novels.

READER’S ANNOTATION:

Romeo and Juliet with a twist. In this adaptation, the tale of these star-crossed lovers I snow a graphic novel.

AUTHOR:

Matt Wiegle is an illustrator. He lives in Brooklyn and draws things. He is responsible for the mini-comics “Ayaje’s Wives,” “The Ghosts,” “The Four Husbands” and “Underpanting.” Most recently, he drew the No Fear Shakespeare graphic novel adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. He is a member of the Partyka comics collective. (Unknown, Matt Wiegle)

Besides his drawings, this was the only information I could find about this author.

GENRE:

Fiction, graphic Novel

CURRICULUM TIES:

New York State: English, Art

BOOK TALKING IDEAS:

Romeo and Juliet as a graphic novel
If you’re not a Shakespeare fan try this

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE:

Ages 13 and up

CHALLENGE ISSUES:

None.

In order to prepare yourself should this book be challenged you may wish to take the following steps:

•Read the book or familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
•Refer to the library’s collection development policy.
•Read the book reviews from sources such as Booklist, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), Publisher’s Weekly, or BookSpot.com
•Seek the opinion of teen readers that have read the book.

Should this book be challenged you should follow the additional steps below:

•Advise the senior staff of the challenge.
•Let the patron know that their challenge will be filed and that senior library management will review their request and notify them once a decision has been made.
•Offer any further assistance

WHY DID I INCLUDE THIS BOOK?

I thought that this was a great option for teens that are hesitant to read Shakespeare.