Romeo and Juliet : For Kids (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series) (Paperback)

by Lois Burdett (Author) "I have a story from another age, A tale of resentment and bitter rage..." (more)
Key Phrases: Count Paris, Eliza Johnson, Anika Johnson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-Once again, Burdett has produced a jaunty version of a Shakespeare work that grew from an intensive project with her elementary school students. The central text, composed of labored, uneven couplets, is the least appealing part of the book. Naive drawings, done by the students, are colored with clear, bright markers. Lively written additions from the second and third graders, such as Juliet's diary entries or reports from Verona citizens in response to the feud, show how well immersion in the play can lead to a good understanding by younger children. While readers elsewhere might enjoy a look at their contemporaries' drawings, it seems unlikely that they would derive even a fraction of the understanding of the play and its importance that Burdett's students got from the project. It wouldn't hurt, though, for teachers seeking inspiration to take a look at what can be achieved with enthusiasm and a strong belief in your source.-Sally Margolis, Barton Public Library, VT

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review
Gets inside the nature and motivations of these adult play characters some might think too remote from children's lives. -- John Warren Stewig, American Alliance for Theatre and Education, Winter 2000

Keep[s] intact the essence of Shakespeare while telling an exciting story that will keep kids' attention.... Highly recommended. -- Carol Burbridge, Library Talk, May/June 1999

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552092291
• ISBN-13: 978-1552092293
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 6 in The The Shakespeare Can Be Fun Series Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful way to introduce Shakespeare to kids, April 23, 2001

By A Customer

As a homeschooling parent I was looking for a way to introduce Shakespeare to my kids (9 and 10) -- they have loved these stories -- which we read aloud and then discussed (plot, characters, themes, conflicts, setting, motivations, etc.) -- the verse is enjoyable and effectively incorporates selected passages from the original in a seamless way. My kids have also enjoyed the illustrations and writing samples (all by 2nd-3rd graders) included in each book. After we read R&J, we watched the old Zefferelli film version and my kids got much more out of it. We've also read the Evelyn Nesbit prose versions but they didn't "feel" like Shakespeare the way these do...I have already purchased the exisitng Burdett versions and hope she has others in mind (PLEASE do Merchant of Venice!).

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful way to introduce Shakespeare to kids, April 23, 2001

By A Customer

As a homeschooling parent I was looking for a way to introduce Shakespeare to my kids (9 and 10) -- they have loved these stories -- which we read aloud and then discussed (plot, characters, themes, conflicts, setting, motivations, etc.) -- the verse is enjoyable and effectively incorporates selected passages from the original in a seamless way. My kids have also enjoyed the illustrations and writing samples (all by 2nd-3rd graders) included in each book. After we read R&J, we watched the old Zefferelli film version and my kids got much more out of it. We've also read the Evelyn Nesbit prose versions but they didn't "feel" like Shakespeare the way these do...I have already purchased the exisitng Burdett versions and hope she has others in mind (PLEASE do Merchant of Venice!).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your Child Can Read Shakespeare!!, August 14, 2006

By	A. Rassler (Concord, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I used this as an experiment to see if my 10-year-old and her 9-year-old friend could read and understand the storyline of a Shakespearean play. The verdict?? THEY DID!! I asked them to summarize the plot and they did it with total accuracy. What a cool thing!!
I loved this and you will, too!