Ronit & Jamil

Written by Pamela L. Laskin

Narrated by Nira Amiel, Assaf Cohen, Aylam Orian and Youssif Kamal

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• Release date: Feb 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9780062661326

Pamela L. Laskin

Pamela L. Laskin is a lecturer in the English department at City College of New York and directs the Poetry Outreach Center. A published poet and author, she has written several poetry chapbooks and children’s books, including Homer the Little Stray Cat, and short YA stories for both Sassy and Young Miss magazines. She is currently a Colin Powell fellow and a SEED grant recipient for Poetry Outreach, and she has received three RF CUNY grants for completion of creative work. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews for Ronit & Jamil

[katielibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

received as a giveaway through Goodreads. Retelling of Romeo and Juliet written in verse!

[hexenlibrarian · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I don't know. I thought the bad ratings were maybe high expectations unmet, but now that I read it, I see the problems.
It's all so unrealistic. Yes, there's insta-love, but just the situation doesn't feel right. I think this could have been better in a more traditional format, rather than prose.
I don't know. Overall, I'm just unimpressed. It's a great concept, I just think the product was lacking.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The premise of this book was amazing! A modern day re-telling of Romeo and Juliet with a Palestinian Boy and an Israeli girl falling for each other in Israel. It's written in verse and intended for teens, but honestly this whole book just fell short for me. The poetry was clunky rather than fluid, they were using cell phones to communicate, and honestly it was more about their differences than their love. I feel like this book was aimed to get teenagers to learn about the conflicts in Israel, but it didn't do anything for the heart of the story, the romance, the Romeo and Juliet vibe. Great concept, just sad it fell short of the mark. If you really want to check it out though it is a SUPER quick read and can be gotten through in an hour.