Ronit & Jamil

Ronit and Jamal are young lovers of different cultures and religions in an Israeli-Palestinian setting. Their parents oppose the relationship so the two try to find a way to make their love work by setting off to the United States to find peace and a new life together. This novel in verse, a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet for grades 9-12, could be used as a supplement to the study of Romeo and Juliet, for writing and creative activities, and as a cross-curricular resource when studying the ongoing conflict in Israel, the affects of war on youth, and/or life in countries in crisis. Prior knowledge of Romeo and Juliet beneficial.