This graphic novel interpretation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet isn't formatted in the way people typically imagine a graphic novel, but it is easy to follow and provides several helpful tools for those who struggle to read Shakespeare. For starters, each page is made up of a series of illustrations, each in a small box and each containing pictures of the characters along with speech bubbles/dialogue. Under each picture, narrative text outlines the plot. Shakespeare's play is retold by Jim Pipe, who utilizes authentic Shakespearean language; to help his reader, though, he includes footnotes on each page, translating tricky wording for the modern day reader. Sometimes the footnotes are excessive, creating a cluttered and confused first glance. The book also begins with a character page, depicting each character with his or her name under their drawing. The illustrations, done by Penko Gelev, are well-matched, colorful and classic without being distracting or flashy. All of these elements help navigate the reader through one of Shakespeare's most popular tales! Although most teenagers still won't be salivating at the chance to pick this up, it's an adequate option for Bard exposure. ( )

Book Summary: This book is about two lovers in the midst of trouble. The problem is that their families are against eachother. The conflict between them goes back for generations. How with Romeo and Juliet push through the struggle? Will love endure?

Personal Reaction: I love seeing the pictures accompany the text in this book. it makes everything come to life. I enjoy that in the back of this book they include the historical background and a little about the author.

Classroom Extension: Romeo and Juliet happens to be some very popular literature in the school system. By reading this book to Elementary school children they will have a better understanding of this literature when they read it in high school. A teacher could use this book in a lesson about different types of books. This book would be the example for a graphic novel. Also, it can be used to help aid in a theater class and show the characters expression to use in different scenes along with costume ideas.

This is one of the worst Shakespearean adaptations on the market today. It simultaneously manages to make Shakespeare--Shakespeare!--seem clumsy and badly written, while also casting aspersions on the entire genre of graphic novels. While one can only applaud Barron's for trying to update classic literature, they seem to have gone about it without having any idea how to present their story according to the conventions and strengths of their chosen format.

Each of the 24 double-page spreads is covered in at least 12 small frames of roughly the same size, floating in a grid pattern on a white background. Each frame is still and rigid-- a tableau, not a frozen moment. What's worse, the static, washed-out pencil drawings make this, one of the most overwrought and melodramatic of Shakespeare's plays, seem tinny and hollow, as though it is being acted out by marionettes. A quick perusal of almost any graphic novel, manga, or comic book in print today will show a much more dramatic and dynamic use of space. Playing with the size, shape and borders of individual frames not only make for a much more engaging and entertaining reading experience, but can help convey the tone and subject of the story. Furthermore, any kindergartner can tell you that pictures are meant to show, not tell, but in this adaptation, the words almost swallow up the characters.

The lines of dialogue are printed in word bubbles and small captions beneath most pictures describe what is going on in terse, declarative substances. At the bottom of every page is four to six lines of tiny footnotes explaining the meaning of words like "consent" and "chide", while ignoring such tongue twisters as, "I'll look to like, if looking liking move." Jim Pipe's trite commentary on the scenes manages to make it all, if possible, even more boring. The only saving grace of this book is its appendix-- a rather weighty and bland-looking discussion of the history of the play and the circumstances of its creation which nevertheless contains some interesting historical context. However, the lack of pictures in this section only reinforces my impression that the well-meaning people at Barron's have no idea how to effectively employ the graphic novel format to educate or entertain. ( )

This is a classic tale of two young lovers who try to overcome obstacles. The story is brought to life with exciting pictures and speech bubbles.

This is a great way to read Shakespeare. It was a fun and easy read.

I would use this book in class to introduce Shakespeare. I would also use this book on a lesson on graphic novels.