A New Romeo and Juliet themed YA novel

I read Twilight by Stephenie Meyers last week with the thought of using it to replace Blood and Chocolate as a Romeo and Juliet lit circle group read. It works perfectly as a new choice for students, especially those that want to earn bonus points for the extra pages. Now I'm waiting for the next book in this trilogy to come out in September. It's called new moon. When I looked on Stephenie Meyers' website tonight I saw a link to the first chapter. Be sure to click on the link to the pdf file. I guess I'll start there until the book comes out in a couple of months.

This is it for this school year!. You Thought Finals at Cap Were Tough!!

This will be the last post. I am simply trying to help a few of you raise your grades. I heard several students say that they were having a hard time concentrating during some of their finals this week. It can't be as bad for you as it is in Baghdad. Check out this article, "Iraqi Students Are Tested by Battle Outside." Amazingly, there are even connections to Romeo and Juliet in this piece.

Final, Final Posting (Maybe): That Look--It's Catching!

Again, I thought I was putting up the last post yesterday. It seems that the connections to our play, Romeo and Juliet continue to haunt me as I read the early edition of Tuesday's Washington Post. So this latest study suggests that like germs transmitting disease, emotions can be spread even faster; all it takes is a blink of the eye. Read the article and consider the very first meeting of Romeo and Juliet at the Capulet feast. Were their emotions transmitted in a blink of an eye? Does this study scientifically support the idea that 'love at first sight' is not a myth?

Final Posting: AP Poll Finds Americans in a Hurry

I came across this new article, "AP Poll Finds Americans in a Hurry" just as I had finished grading the Romeo and Juliet timed essays. A few of you chose time as the cause of their deaths; you supported your belief with evidence showing some characters rushing while others took their time.

So why are we always rushing? What does the article say about the pace of youth versus age? How is this connected to Shakespeare's play?

Bethlehem's Star-Crossed Lovers

Okay, so as a country the U.S. isn't really that unique. Last year I came across many news articles describing modern day Romeos and Juliets. Check out the SF Chronicle article, "Bethlehem's Star-crossed Lovers..." Comment on how the parents and authorities acted in this modern tale compared to the play. Are you shocked by the violence and treatment of women in what you believe are modern times?

The Brokenhearted

So today while watching Notting Hill I heard Al Green singing the '70's classic, "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?", and I immediately flashed on this science article I came across last year. The article is entiltled: "Study Suggests You Can Die of a Broken Heart." So tell me what you think after reading both the lyrics and the article. Connect these to Romeo. If he hadn't chosen suicide, would he have died from a brokenheart?

New Topic: Cell Phones

I am often amazed at the coincidences I see in the timing of several newspaper articles. Yesterday, while reading the NYTimes, I spotted an Op-Ed piece on why cell phones should be banned from schools. It included a plea to the parents fighting the school board about cell phones on campus. Then less than an hour later I am reading this article on the front page of the LATimes called, "Do Cell Phones Fuel Teen Angst?" What happens if you don't have a cell phone? Check out both pieces plus the cartoon and give me your feedback.

Something New

Well I can see most of you are struggling with the poem. So here is something much lighter on the brain cells.

I was checking out Netflix last week to see what new DVDs I might want to put in my queue. Most of what was coming out that week looked too serious or not really worth the time spent to watch. Then I saw one movie I'd like to see, but I will wait to rent with my mom in Kansas next month. (She's a big fan of romantic comedies and the actor, Simon Baker) Still, I couldn't resist at least checking out the trailer for Something New. After seeing it, I couldn't help but connect it with Romeo and Juliet. If you've seen the movie, let me know if the themes are similar to what we have been talking about. (But please don't totally ruin the movie for me by telling me all of the plot.) If you haven't seen the movie, check out the trailer and let me know what you think.

"Counting The Beats" by Robert Graves

So in response to a request, here's what I've come up with. I've chosen a poem by Robert Graves called "Counting the Beats". Robert Graves (1895-1985), began writing poetry at age 15 as a means to escape the bullies at his English boarding school. He fought in WWI as a teenager. He said his war experience forever changed his outlook on life.

As you read the poem, think about all of the meanings of 'heartbeat'. In the foreword to his 1966 book, Collected Poems , Graves said this about the poem, "My main theme was always the practical impossibility, transcended only by a belief in miracle, of absolute love continuing between man and woman." How does this poem and theme connect to Romeo and Juliet?

To help those of you struggling, you may want to check out his biography. Especially note, his relationship with Laura Riding. One biographer finds this relationship to be the basis of the poem, "Sick Love." Does this help you to understand the poem better?

Music Connections and Hip-Hop

Well, it was disappointing to see that so few of you posted on a blog that really didn't require much reading. Even if you blogged, most of you didn't provide me with any musical connections. Then this morning as I was reading the front page of The Washington Post, I understood what might be happening.

Check out the Op-Ed piece called, "Hip-Hop's Tough-Guy Romance" and let me know what you think about Mr. Asim's opinion on hip-hop lyrics. Remember because this is hip-hop, some lyrics may be politically incorrect. (Bear in mind my posting them in this article doesn't mean I approve of the use of derogatory/inflammatory language.)

So I know I will surprise most of you with this blog. I am a big fan of alternative music. As I listen to the newest wave of British musicians, I seem to hear so many lyrical connections to the pieces I teach. How many of you have really listened to the lyrics in Arctic Monkeys' hit, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor". Did you catch the allusions? If not check out the lyrics. Or maybe you want to watch the video to hear what's playing in Mrs. Henry's CD.


What music are you listening to that connects with either the play, Romeo and Juliet, or the themes we have been studying? Send me some links, if you know them. Let me know your thoughts about how music connects with the play.

"Romeo and Juliet" Cartoons

Every year when I start Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet students complain that they can't understand the language. I even have some ask me, "Why are we reading a play written hundreds of years ago when it doesn't relate to our lives today?" So I do try to always find new and funny interpretations of the play. Cartoonist, Roz Chast, five years ago with the arrival of AOL's IM, began satirizing Romeo and Juliet in cartoons that featured IM chat. (The picture is from the latest calendar.) Check out the chat from another one at the link: http://claudia.weblog.com.pt/arquivo/2004/11/romeo_and_julie_1.html . Just tonight as I was searching for the Chast cartoons, I came across another video card from Musearts that features guinea pigs. Check it out at this link: http://www.musearts.com/cartoons/pigs/romeo.html

So tell me your reactions to the satires. What are you thinking about the relevance of Romeo and Juliet to today's teens?

Character Therapy

I read eight newspapers online daily, yet I don't consider myself a news junkie. Usually I am skimming for connections I can use with my students or for books that I might suggest students read. I enjoy reading the Arts and Books sections of the British newspaper, "The Guardian". It's always a treat to see how another culture looks at life or books. A semi-regular series I enjoy in this paper is called, "Character on the Couch". They cleverly interview the star actor as if the character he is playing is in therapy for analysis. It's a nice way of getting the gist of the plot from a fresh perspective. Check out Rupert Evan's comments as Romeo. What do you think about the attitude he gives Romeo? Was it how you pictured Romeo would respond?

Here's a short article from another British news source, "Italian Dies in 'Romeo' Tragedy." So , maybe it isn't only the young that are rash. What did you think after reading it?

Romeo and Juliet in Modern Times

Students have been asking me if I believe in love at first sight, or if I believe that teenagers can be so committed to each other that they would defy everyone to be together. They tell me that either they can't trust their fellow teens to be so open and honest with them that they could commit, or too many teens are so fickle and such players that they wouldn't see Romeo and Juliet happening today. Yet, it seems that every year while I am teaching Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet I come across a news story that proves that young romantic love lives and reinforces why this play is still so popular today. Yesterday, while reading the LATimes online, I saw this article, "Young Love, Old Divisions" . Check it out, especially if you read Romiette and Julio. Tell me what you think.

Margaux with an X by Ron Koertge

Koertge introduces us to another odd couple in this novel. Imagine being beautiful and popular and hating every minute of it! What is really behind Margaux's hatred of her life? Wow!! Have you had trouble keeping up with M's vocabulary? How and why does she use language? What about that sensitive Danny? Is he too good to be true? Will this odd couple survive where Ben and Colleen were doomed to failure by her drug dependency? You need to blog about this book!!! You have all lost your blogging points for Stoner and Spaz.

Lit. Circles Room 399's Blog

Welcome to Room 399's firstever weblog!! Over the next few months I hope to get everyone involved in chatting about our Romeo and Juliet-themed YA books not just in class, but with other classes at Capuchino. Who knows, maybe even other bloggers on the web will join in on our conversations. It has been done before. One class in New Jersey blogging about the book, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd even had the author herself check out the blog and answer questions students had about the book. Since the authors of all of our YA novels are alive and well, maybe we might get lucky and have them join in on our conversations.

To make this blog a little easier to maneuver around, I'm going to give each YA novel its own posting. I'll be looking for your comments and suggestions as we go through learning this new technology tool together.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
Originally uploaded by caproom399.

Isn't this classic girls!! Why do the shy ones always go for the town's tormented bad boy? Is love blind for Jamie and Landon? Or is it Jamie's tragic flaw to want to rescue him? Or is their love controlled by fate? What deception is going on? Does Jamie use time to her advantage? How will Landon and the Reverend get past their clash? Let's get those thoughts blogged!!

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Originally uploaded by caproom399.

So can any of us escape who we really are? What is Vivian thinking when she tries to hook up with 'meatboy' Aiden? Is love that blind? Or is Vivian just struggling with her flaws? Or rebelling against Esme, a mother not acting her age? How are time, fate, deception, civil disobedience driving the plot? Let me in on your thoughts!

Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier

Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier
Originally uploaded by caproom399.

Man aren't we all Born Confused? Aren't we all just trying to survive high school? Does life come with a self-help manual? Have you started to feel the hate for Gwen? Or do you see her tragic flaws? What does Ms. Hidier want us to learn about culture clash? about deception? about time? What part does fate play with Karsh and Dimple? Let's hear your thoughts!!!

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Looking for Alaska by John Green
Originally uploaded by caproom399.

So who'd name their daughter after a state like Alaska? What does it say about her personality? Why can't the colonel go by his real name, Chip? Pudge for the skinniest guy? Why so much deception? Is it fate/coincidence that they've ended up as roomies? So what do the boarders and the Weekend Warriors tell us about culture clash? What's happening with love and time in this novel? Start chatting!!

The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci
Originally uploaded by caproom399.

What's up with the people in this town? When Torey realizes that he never really knew Creed, what does he learn about love, deception and tragic flaws? Is it fate/coincidence that creates the culture clash between the town and the Boonies? How does time affect the plot? Start chatting about those theme ideas now!!

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
Originally uploaded by caproom399.

So is it love at first sight for Vince and Kendra? Or lust? Or is he really just out to antagonize his dad? So what do you think about Vince's tragic flaws? his idea of love? his willingness to engage in deception? Was he fated to meet Kendra? How do time and civil disorder play out as themes in this novel? Get to chatting about it all!!

Romiette and Julio

Romiette and Julio
Originally uploaded by caproom399.

Ok, Let's get started talking about Romiette, Julio, Ben, Destiny, and of course the Parents!! What are your thoughts about Ms. Draper's theme topics of love, deception, time, civil disorder, fate/coincidence, or tragic flaws? Start posting your comments and questions along with quotes from the book.