The Young Reader's Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet

by Adam McKeown, Peter M. Fiore (Illustrator)

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 on nearly every page and provides an excellent introduction to the story. Written by an outstanding scholar in simple, eloquent language, it will draw youngsters in with superb dialogue, and vivid description. The skillful blending of Shakespeare's own lines with modern language enhances children's involvement and comprehension. There's background on Shakespeare and the play; answers to FAQs such as “Isn’t Juliet too young to be married?” and a “Who's Who” of the characters. Young Reader's Shakespeare is a powerful visual and reading experience.

Genres: Picture Books, Shakespeare

80 pages, Hardcover

First published April 28, 2004

Reviews

[Adelaide Metzger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This edition was the first romeo and juliet i had read that wasn't school related. So great for teaching kids the story and characters and great for preparing them for reading the original text in highschool or junior high. Definitely recommend it to help encourage kids to like Shakespeare.

[Cricket Muse]

The Young Reader's Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet provides a much abridged version of the classic, well-known love story. Much of the core storyline is present; however, the author has taken liberties with the plot by providing filler material and suppressing important necessary aspects of the play. This version is fairly sanitized and serves well as an introduction to Shakespeare, but withholds too much to be used as a classroom resource beyond elementary school.

[Lady reading under the Willow · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is pretty close to the actual play, but goes into greater detail in certain scenes:

-It gives some background information into the relationship between Juliet and her mother.
-There is much more to the scene where Romeo and Juliet first meet than what is written in the play: uncomfortable details on feelings and such that show raging hormones as well as changing the scene a bit.
-It colors the friar as overwhelmingly cowardly. I didn't find him to be quite so craven in the original play; he seemed to show more wisdom than anyone else in the story (though did act imprudently, even if it was with good intentions).
- The fight between Tybalt and Mercutio is more clearly played out in this retelling, especially how Romeo intercepts them and tries to halt their violence.
-It omits the bawdy sections that are present in the original.

[Alejandra RL · Rating 3 out of 5]

A estas alturas, ya me se la versión de Shakespeare de los amantes trágicos; por ello estoy consciente de que puede no ser una lectura muy amigable con algunos lectores, sobre todo por la cuestión del lenguaje.

Está versión retoma la original, pero siendo una versión condensada con un lenguaje más actual, ideal para los niños (y porqué no, para adultos también).

Según yo solo está en inglés, pero a diferencia de la obra de 1500 y algo, este texto se puede leer perfectamente teniendo las nociones básicas del idioma y de la historia.

[Mariah Matherne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meant for younger readers than my demographic, but a really easy to understand read of a Shakespeare classic.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shakespeare

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice additional resource when covering Romeo and Juliet with my daughter. I would highly recommend this to any parents or educators that would like to add an extra, more simplified chapter book versions of Shakespeare's play to their lesson plan for better understanding. I didn't agree with all of Adam McKeown's interpretations of the various acts, but that only further added to our discussion of comparing and contrasting the various resources we used from the original play.

[Bluestar Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Young Reader's Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet