Fakespeare: Star-crossed in Romeo and Juliet

Reviewed by: Amy McInerney - Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 12, 2017

Review

When Becca and her step-brother Sam are trapped in the pages of Romeo and Juliet, they set off on a mission to return home. Their way out? To find Romeo and Juliet and make them fall in love. An already challenging situation, as the Montagues and Capulets are embattled in conflict over who makes the best pizza, becomes worse when Juliet seems drawn to Sam. When the four main characters team up against Tybalt, a sneaky prima donna who covers himself in perfume, they are finally able to work towards a common goal. This hybrid middle-grade novel will appeal to even the most reluctant readers, and is a fun romp through the plot line of the world's most famous play. While most young readers are not familiar with the tragedy, Castle's version is amusing and action-packed. Students who enjoy the style of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries will be a fan; illustrations and fairly large white margins on each page, along with differentiated fonts for various characters, make this accessible to growing readers. This book will be popular.

Overall Book Score: good