Pamela L. Laskin’s beautiful and lyrical novel in verse delivers a fresh and captivating retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that transports the star-crossed lovers to the modern-day Israel-Palestine conflict.
Ronit, an Israeli girl, lives on one side of the fence. Jamil, a Palestinian boy, lives on the other side. Only miles apart but separated by generations of conflict—much more than just the concrete blockade between them. Their fathers, however, work in a distrusting but mutually beneficial business arrangement, a relationship that brings Ronit and Jamil together. And lightning strikes. The kind of lightning that transcends barrier fences, war, and hatred.
The teenage lovers fall desperately into the throes of forbidden love, one that would create an irreparable rift between their families if it were discovered. But a love this big can only be kept secret for so long. Ronit and Jamil must face the fateful choice to save their lives or their loves, as it may not be possible to save both.
- Enemies to Lovers Romance: He’s a Palestinian boy. She’s an Israeli girl. Their families are divided by generations of conflict, but their hearts refuse to listen.
- Star-Crossed Lovers: A modern retelling of the classic tragedy, set against the fraught backdrop of the contemporary Israel-Palestine conflict.
- Dual Perspective: Told from the viewpoints of both Ronit and Jamil, this story gives voice to two teens caught in a world not of their making.
- Social Issues for Teens: A poignant exploration of love, identity, and the human cost of a political conflict that feels both timely and timeless.
"[A]ccessible verse and universal questions about crossing cultural lines make for a quick and powerful read. An obvious choice to pair with Romeo and Juliet in a literature class, this can also open discussion about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and about bridging cultural boundaries."
