This is my first look at Arcturus Publishing’s retelling of a classic tale for “young readers.” Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s timeless romance, has been famously retold before, in versions including films, musical productions, and prose. However, the publisher advertises this version for ages 7 and up, which I question. The controversy and violence is watered down, but the themes are still mature. Mainly though, I was disappointed in the cartoony drawings accompanying the text, and the racial assignations of some characters which were not intended or designated by Shakespeare.

I really enjoyed Arcturus' series of abridged Sherlock Holmes stories for young readers, so I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Arcturus have launched a series of abridges Shakespeare tales as well. While Charles and Mary Lamb's classic adaptations will always be my number one choice for introducing young readers to the Bard, I will definitely recommend this new series as well!

This is a good re-telling of Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet meet at a masked ball and fall in love at first sight. But their families are sworn enemies and will never approve of their relationship. Will the poor passionate lovers be able to surmount their families' animosity and find true peace with each other? Or will cruel fate and their families' feuds get in the way of their happiness? Young readers will enjoy the intense scenes unfolding one after another, leading inexorably to the fateful climax. I hope this series will spark children's interest in the wonderful world of Shakespearean drama!

Nice little retelling of Romeo and Juliet for kids, full of black and white illustrations. The tragic plot revolves around the star-crossed young lovers from feuding families. Their forbidden mutual passion, coupled with the bitter enmity between their families and a terrible miscommunication in a bold plan to fake Juliet's death leading to far too many deaths, including their own. The story is narrated in a simplified way, with the addition of modern colloquialisms (such as "ditch your friends", "I can't wait!"),

I would recommend sharing this story with slightly older readers, those who are mature enough for dark themes of death and revenge, as well as sexual connotations (spending the night together after marriage), etc. I liked that the illustrations depicted Juliet and her Capulet family as persons of color, while Romeo and his Montague family were white. A touch of modern diversity with a biracial main couple doesn't feel out of place in Shakespeare, especially since his own play Othello specifically deals with a biracial main couple, and many talented actresses of color have performed the role of Juliet to rave reviews on the modern stage.

Romeo and Juliet's families have hated each other forever it seems. They are always fighting and brutalizing each other's members. The two fall deeply in love and secretly marry. How can their relationship thrive and they be together and live with happiness and peace when such hatred exists?

This is one of the most epic love stories ever told and has been read and taught in schools for many, many years. It is truly a timeless classic. Samantha Newman has adapted this beloved play perfecting its understanding to young readers 7+ brilliantly.

The added illustrations make the text come alive and will engage the younger generation from beginning to end. The language has been modernized and the story condensed. Told in five short acts it highlights revenge, bitterness, and forbidden love. I love the book and I highly recommend it and all the others in the series. This book ( and the entire series ) is a perfect addition to a home, classroom and library setting.

She did an amazing job on this for the younger reader. Such a great job. I am completely obsessed with these. I really want to read them all.
I just reviewed Shakespeare's Tales: Romeo and Juliet by Samantha Newman. #NetGalley
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I am happy they are making this for younger audiences but it seemed so short and quick. I love the story but it just seemed so rushed. I guess it was to help kids understand the story but without it all it kind of hurts the story. I will read the others just to see how they wrote it but not my favorite version of this play.

What a lovely way to introduce a new audience to the Bard's classic plays! As a middle and high school teacher who makes it a point to teach Shakespeare in the original Shakespearean language (I feel like the challenge gives students a confidence to face future difficult tasks, where translation of meaning is important) I love that they could now come to me, potentially, already possessing a basic idea of the stories. I also think this series could take some of the fear away for hesitant students, and show them that good stories are good stories - and they can transcend time. Although this version of adaptations is a bit young for my students, I would consider purchasing a set as an introduction for each play.

'Shakespeare's Tales: Romeo and Juliet' adapted by Samantha Newman with illustrations by Ceej Rowland is an adaptation of a beloved play for younger readers.

When Romeo and Juliet meet, it's love at first sight. The problem is that their families hate each other, so they secretly get married. Then a series of missteps and miscommunications bring on the real tragedy.

The obvious question is how to adapt this for young readers, and it's handled really well. The language is modern and the story is condensed in to a readable length. A really nice adaptation.

Excellent version of the classic play, perfect for my English class.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC. I am leaving an 100% honest review.

This is the second Shakespeare's Tales book I have had the pleasure to read, and I must say, I enjoyed it quite a bit.

I think any way to get young people interested in classic literature is a great thing. This book manages to keep the structure of the story the same, while keeping the writing and length to a manner that will be attractive to middle schoolers.

Would love these in my class

The most iconic of Shakespeares plays, retold for younger audiences.

I know the original quite well and I loved this adaptation. It was perfectly summed up and surmised to capture all the important bits, relay the story but make it accessible and enjoyable for children (if a somewhat tragic ending!). Shakespeare’s play’s make for great childrens fiction (if done and adapted well) which these most certainly are.

It handles the more sensitive nature of the plot very well and instead of adapting it to perhaps make it a happier ending or omit certain parts of the story, they were kept in to retain the original story but written in a straightforward and simple way, introducing some complex topics.

With illustrations and pictures to support the main text, it’s succinct and a great way to introduce such a classic to young kids.

** “I had a dream earlier. That something big will happen tonight. Something that changes the course of my life. Something that might bring my death.” **

Sam Newman retells Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” for young readers, with illustrations by Ceej Rowland, a story of revenge, bitterness, and forbidden but true love.

The Montague and Capulet families hated each other for over a thousand years. But when Romeo, a Montague, sneaks into the Capulets’ party, he’s instantly attracted to their daughter, Juliet, with a feeling of forbidden love. What follows is a tragic journey of twists and unescapable fate.

Told in five short acts, Newman does a brilliant job of retelling a classic Shakespeare tale in a way readers of all ages will understand and enjoy.

The publisher does include a note indicating Shakespeare’s works can contain sensitive themes so adults should read these stories with their children. This story is not recommend for very young readers.

Five stars out of five.

Arcturus Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Arcturus Publishing has released many titles that retell classic stories. They are designed to entice young readers to expand their horizons. All of the retellings have short chapters, illustrations, and a commitment to including the chief elements of each work. This time, author Samantha Newman, takes on one of Shakespeare’s most well known stories. She does this using prose rather than verse. Ms Newman does a good job and, hopefully, will encourage some readers to explore the original play.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

This was cute! It had the basic story and cuteness of Romeo and Juliet. Some of the vibes of the dialogue was butchered. I get they changed it up, but felt like they could have kept some of the warmth and humor

My biggest complaint is the choice to make the Capulets and only the Capulets Black. The Capulets are the abusive, more hotheaded and prone to violence family in the original story (and in this adaptation as well). And while I am always so happy to see characters of color on adaptations on Shakespeare's work, this specific choice felt wrong. I would have loved to see other characters of color filling other roles. While I know both the Montegues and the Capulets are at fault, the short definitely leans toward the Capulets being the more violent aggressors so it was disappointing to see the only characters of color filling that role. I would have preferred a more widely diverse cast...

All in all, it was cute, but not spectacular and definitely not free of issues