Selby does not want to be in the school play. She is much happier behind the scenes painting sets - anything to avoid standing on stage in front of an audience, performing for disinterested classmates and overenthusiastic parents.

So Selby did not plan on landing the lead role of Juliet . . . and she certainly never planned to land in Verona and meet Juliet in person.

With chaos, wit and R.A. Spratt wisdom, if those who rush stumble and fall, Romeo and Juliet are about to crash-land into a modern-day town!


'Spratt has very cleverly written a narrative within a narrative as Dan and Shelby discuss the events, motivations and character traits resulting in their intervention scheme for the Montagues and the Capulets. Romeo V Juliet is the perfect companion to the original play, effectively unpacking Shakespeare with teenagers because we have the privilege and stimulation of watching fictional contemporaries do it first.' - ReadPlus

'This entertaining, smart and fast-moving romp from the prolific R. A. Spratt is a must-read for any student or teacher wanting to approach Shakespeare without feeling intimidated or apprehensive. . . mixing life, history and theatre together to create teetering scenes of hilarity and tension.' - CBCA Reading Time


Praise for Hamlet is Not OK:

'The book presents a convincing argument for Shakespeare's value in modern-day classrooms' - Kirkus Reviews

'A refreshingly different, wildly imaginative take on Shakespeare's Hamlet.' - Booklist starred review

'Spratt doesn't waste words, and is an expert at whittling away the blurry edges of a story to reveal the golden core. Through Selby's eyes, Spratt delicately and thoughtfully opens up the famous play to readers who may feel that Shakespeare is just for people who excel at English.' - Storylinks

'Sharp-witted and funny. . . Shelby's ignorance of anything Shakespeare brings a fresh teen perspective on the behaviour of the characters and their actions to one another . . . A clever, entertaining read.' - What Book Next