If the obviously brilliant and hyper-canonical William Shakespeare hadn’t written Romeo and Juliet as a play in the late 16 th century but instead a young female writer had written the exact same plotline as a novel in the 21 st century, publishers would have slapped a headless girl in a fancy dress on that book and marketed it as YA. Since R&J is more or less required reading at some point in secondary education, this contemporary rendition that gives Rosaline full focus is bound to attract interest. The Rosaline character had a much bigger role in our play than she did here – in the translation to the contemporary this brushed-aside character was profoundly interesting. Who would we give it to? Last year I had the privilege of teaching a drama class with middle school students in which we read Romeo and Juliet together and then “deconstructed” the story, turning it into a totally new, contemporary play. But at the same time, a lot of that happiness is still wrapped up in being with a guy. Rose is recognizable both in her heartbreak and her ability to ultimately take care of herself and move forward with her life. This book takes a contemporary look at a tired story that is not, in and of itself, Slatebreaking and gives us a new point of view with great female characters.

It’s not that it’s anti-Slatebreaking, but its not shattering anything either. This is a good book – it deserves better cover art.ĭoes it break the slate? Yes and no. At no point in this story does anyone close their eyes and touch noses. Which is a shame, because the book deserves better! Something Shakespeare-y maybe? Something about feuding families? I think I’d even take a headless girl in a fancy dress over this awkward stagey makeout session. Genre: Retelling, Contemporary Realistic Fictionįace Value: Quite sincerely, this is probably my least favorite cover on a book I’ve read this year.

When you were mine rebecca serle movie