Romeo V Juliet

By R A Spratt

Reviewed by Jenny Ruge

R.A Spratt is a prolific author in the junior fiction and middle grade space, with numerous best-selling books in the Nanny Piggins and Friday Barnes series, The Peski Kids books, and several anthologies of short stories. Romeo v Juliet is Spratt’s second offering for young adult readers. 

Sixteen year old Selby, who has ‘a raging case’ of dyslexia, does her best to keep a low profile, especially in English class. So, when her teacher announces that the class will perform Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet, Selby volunteers for a behind-the-scenes role. Even being made understudy for Juliet doesn’t trouble her but, at the eleventh hour, when it seems Selby may have to perform after all, she enlists the help of former tutor, Dan. However, when she reads aloud from the play, she and Dan are thrust into the fourteenth century, right into the middle of the action in Verona.

Having experienced this phenomenon before, in Hamlet is Not OK, Selby is less confused than annoyed. Highly intelligent but perhaps lacking a little in compassion, Selby has a way of cutting through the language to get at the core of the story, and she’s not impressed! In her view, Romeo is a light-weight, fickle-hearted character who could use a little self-reflection, and Juliet is an unfortunate girl totally beholden to the whims of her parents. When Selby brings Juliet back to the present, Juliet is astonished at the possibilities of a world where girls might make their own choices. The final chapters, in which several of the fourteenth century characters (including Romeo), are forced to witness the consequences of their actions, are hilarious and insightful.

Selby is a no-nonsense character: always insightful, with a strong sense of right and wrong, and refusing to compromise her views. She brings modern day understandings and sensibilities to Shakespeare’s characters, allowing us to ‘read’ them in a new light. I particularly enjoyed Spratt’s characterisation of Selby’s English teacher, Ms Karim: somewhat jaded perhaps, but fully aware of all the tricks and avoidance tactics her students might throw at her. The story is fast-paced, cleverly-written, and always witty.

This novel is highly recommended for all readers 13+. It would be a wonderful classroom introduction to Shakespeare, but will also be enjoyed by those familiar with the Bard’s works. But be warned: you’ll never read Shakespeare the same way again!

Penguin 2026

R A Spratt