Romiette and Julio

Romiette and Julio

Company type	Young adult novel
Industry	Literature
Founded	1999
Founder	Sharon Draper
Products	Book

Romiette and Julio is a young adult book authored by Sharon Draper and released in 1999 through Atheneum Books. This work serves as a contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, reimagining the classic family rivalry to address modern racial conflicts between African American and Hispanic communities in the United States. Critical reception of the novel was varied.

Plot summary

Romiette Cappelle, an African American teenager, experiences recurring dreams featuring fire, water, and a mysterious male voice she suspects belongs to her destined partner. At the same time, Julio Montague, a Hispanic adolescent, relocates from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Cincinnati, Ohio, enrolling in Romiette’s school. After a brief confrontation with Ben—a local youth who eventually befriends him—Julio enters an online chatroom under the username "spanishlover" and begins communicating anonymously with "afroqueen," who is actually Romiette. Their virtual interaction leads to meeting for lunch and ultimately falling in love.

Their interracial relationship provokes animosity from the local gang known as the "Devil Dogs," particularly from Makala, a gang member who threatens Romiette. While Julio’s mother Maria supports their relationship, his father Luis disapproves because of previous traumatic experiences involving African Americans and gang violence.

As threats intensify, Romiette and Julio collaborate with Ben and Destiny to stage a public display of affection designed to challenge the gang while ensuring their safety. However, their plan collapses when their vehicle breaks down, resulting in their kidnapping by the Devil Dogs. Ben and Destiny alert Romiette’s parents, Lady and Cornell Cappelle, who confront Makala; she initially denies involvement but eventually discloses the teenagers’ whereabouts after police interrogation.

Romiette and Julio are discovered stranded at the bottom of London Woods Lake following a lightning strike that separates them. During this ordeal, Romiette loses consciousness and relives her nightmare. Julio manages to save her from drowning; as he attempts to revive her, she recognizes his voice as the one from her recurring dream.

Reception

Simon Rodberg of The New York Times provided a mixed critique, observing that Sharon M. Draper's Romiette and Julio addresses various current topics including school safety, immigration issues, and internet harassment. He found the protagonists likable but somewhat uninspired, criticizing their adherence to conventional gender roles within a modern moral framework. In contrast, Rolling Stone included the novel among the top 40 young adult books, emphasizing its broad appeal. On review platform Teen Reads, Cassia Van Arsdale commended Draper's casual yet intimate narrative style, highlighting the charm of the main characters and the significance of their romantic bond.

Kirkus Reviews noted that while some parallels to Shakespeare’s original play felt forced at times, it praised the book’s straightforward storytelling, captivating plotline, and satisfying resolution that offers an optimistic outcome for its characters.