Romiette and Julio

Class, we will begin reading Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper next week. As many of you may notice the name of this book closely resembles that of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Draper modeled her novel and the characters after the classic play. As you will soon find out there are many similarities and differences between the two tales of star-crossed lovers. Over the years there have been many reproductions of the play, as well as, movies that have been made. In 1996 Leonardo Dicaprio starred as Romeo in a modernized version of Romeo and Juliet. The difference from the '96 movie and others that came before it is that this movie maintained the Shakespeare language but modernized the setting and environment.

What are you to do?? Well I have included a video clip of th '96 movie. This clip is of the first meeting of Romeo and Juliet. You are to watch the video and respond. Your response must focus on what you know about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and what you predict will happen to Romiette and Julio in Sharon Draper's novel. Predict what you think may happen in the novel. Will they face the same fate as their namesakes? Please respond in at least one well devloped paragraph of 6-8 sentences.