Fakespeare--Star-Crossed in Romeo and Juliet

April 1, 2017
Books are capable of transporting readers to other worlds in more than the metaphorical sense in this entry in the new Fakespeare series from Castle.Black protagonist Becca and her white stepbrother, Sam, find themselves trapped in Verona after a mysterious copy of Romeo and Juliet eats them. In order to escape they must unite a sullen Romeo with a puckish Juliet, all while avoiding a homicidal Tybalt, dealing with Mercutio's pet-dander allergy, and enduring a flatulent dog that's just along for the ride. This adaptation of Shakespeare leans heavily on the "fake" portion of its title, offering little of the flavor of its supposed inspiration. Abundant scatological references and tomato fights provide paltry attempts at humor in a plot that bears little resemblance to the original apart from the character names; such embellishments as basing the Montague/Capulet feud in an argument over which family makes the better pizza seem pointless. It's mystifying, given the humor style and audience, why the author did not select A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, or another of Shakespeare's comedies to adapt rather than awkwardly ramming a juvenile sense of humor into an iconic tragedy. The co-published Something Stinks in Hamlet is a similarly baffling effort. While the concept of introducing children to Shakespeare is one with a long history, this volume's plot, language, and setting are so far removed from the source material that it utterly fails in that aim. (Fantasy. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2017

Gr 3-6-What do rotten tomato fights, moats filled with venomous snakes, and secret stink bombers have in common with Shakespeare? Castle's new series transports a group of unassuming kids into different Shakespearean tales, providing intrigue, adventure, and loads of humor. In Something Stinks, Hallie, Kyle, and Kyle's baby brother find themselves captive in a castle surrounded by a vicious stench, only to be rescued by Hamlet. Together, they plan to overthrow Hamlet's evil uncle and end up discovering a real ghost. In Starcrossed, Becca and Sam meet Romeo Montague, whose family members are feuding with the Capulets over stolen cheese and a dough recipe, preventing either family from making pizza. Sam and Becca must create a romantic chance meeting for Romeo and Juliet and solve the case of the missing ingredients. Both titles are lighthearted and witty introductions to classic Shakespearean tales. Curious students familiar with Shakespeare's name will be drawn to the quirky characters and absurd stories. The fast-moving plots are enhanced by simple dialogue and language, making them perfect for reluctant readers. Students will be pulled in by Jennewein's comic-inspired illustrations. However, it is important to note that young readers will likely fail to pick up on the amusing references to, and twists on, the original works. VERDICT A unique purchase for larger collections and where educators are looking to introduce Shakespearean tales to a younger audience.-Mary-Brook J. Townsend, Episcopal Collegiate School, Little Rock, AR

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.