Romeo v Juliet

by R.A. Spratt

Selby does not want to be in the school play. She is much happier behind the scenes painting sets – anything to avoid standing on stage in front of an audience, performing for disinterested classmates and overenthusiastic parents.

So Selby did not plan on landing the lead role of Juliet . . . and she certainly never planned to land in Verona and meet Juliet in person.

With chaos, wit and R.A. Spratt wisdom, if those who rush stumble and fall, Romeo and Juliet are about to crash-land into a modern-day town!

With warmth, brilliant banter, deadpan humour and, well, dead people, R.A. Spratt brings her trademark wit to Shakespeare's famous play.

Genres: Historical, Young Adult

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

R.A. Spratt is an award-winning author and television writer. She lives in Bowral, Australia with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the gateway text to get students accessing and enjoying Elizabethan texts.

Bravo, R.A.Spratt.

In the closing chapter one characters says to another:
”…You took something beautiful but burnished by the passing of time, and breathed new life into it.”

Can’t wait for the next instalment.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picking up this title, it was obvious it was continuing in the vein of Hamlet is Not OK, RA Spratt's previous excursion into the world of Shakespeare. What I did not realise at first glance was that it uses the same modern-day characters, Selby and Dan.

Selby is once again studying Shakespeare at school, this time Romeo & Juliet, and she is determined to not get sucked into the world of the play again, now she knows she has that power. Events transpire to convince her to enter the play and we then get an amusing tale filled with love, action and modern commentary on the values of 14th Century Italy.

It was enjoyable, without yielding any major surprises. I will happily read any future Shakespearian adventures of Selby & co (and it seems more might be forthcoming).

I did wonder a bit about 17-18 yo Pauline just being packed off to Verona with Romeo at the end of the book, seemingly with no regard to what her family or friends might think!

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

About to start teaching this play (again) to a Year 10 class This got me in the spirit.

Not sure how Spratt manages to get away with what she does to these plays. It looks like Macbeth (sorry, that Scottish play) might be next.

[Steven Kolber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable due to the origin of the story, but good fun nonetheless.

[Jacy Marl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous weaving together of a modern day tale and the classic! So many throw away lines referencing Shakespeare, that add to this very cleverly written story.

[jacinta · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's so bizarre.
i HATE Shakespeare yet this was so damn fun i was endlessly amused. kudos to the author for having me giggle through any media to do with Shakespeare

[Steph]

Three word book review: play within play

Recommended for: people who like Shakespeare, or would like to understand it, and have a sense of humour