Tue. August 29, 2023
Contemporary literature is an essential component of English Language Arts courses. The relevance of contemporary literature helps students connect to the material on a personal level and fosters an appreciation and love for literature. Current literature also includes diverse perspectives and voices that can inspire empathy and help students broaden their worldviews. By pairing these modern stories with classics, students can make connections between the past and the present and develop a deeper understanding of timeless themes and the complexity of humanity throughout time.
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has many timeless themes that connect to modern literature. Connecting contemporary situations to this classic helps engage students as they relate to the story and apply the themes to situations in their own lives. Making these connections through independent reading of contemporary novels keeps students reading and provides them an opportunity to explore a theme or idea of interest to them in the play. It also helps students see the modern-day relevance of this classic literature.
THEME: Star-Crossed/Forbidden Love The first thing most students think of when hearing Romeo and Juliet is the idea of forbidden love, and many modern-day middle grade and young adult novels capture this theme. These books often focus on the complexity of young love and the obstacles created when their love does not conform to the expectations of society, their parents, or both.
Opposite of Always by Justin Reynolds – Jack and Kate fall for each other at a party. Tragically, Kate dies, and Jack finds himself back in time when he first met her. Jack learns that each action can have a very significant impact on his life and the lives of those around him as he continues to try to redo the past and save Kate.
The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera – Much like Romeo and Juliet, the reader knows from the beginning that Mateo and Rufus will die in the end. In a future society, people are called on the day they will die and told they will die before the next day. Mateo and Rufus meet on their death day and spend it together, learning about each other and trying to fit in as many experiences as possible while realizing how much they both mean to each other and wishing it wouldn’t end.
Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian – This book follows the story of three generations of Iranian men who are faced with their own star-crossed situations. Bobby, the grandfather, is a gay man in the late 1930s who is not able to share who he is with the world because his mother is trying to save his acting career. He misses the opportunity to share his life with the man he loves. Saeed, the father, must give up the love of his life to protect his parents. Moud, the son, is learning about family, culture, and himself all while figuring out his own romantic relationship.
Other Recommendations: Star-Crossed by Barbara Dee; You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson; The Lines We Cross by Randa Abdel-Fattah; He Said, She Said by Kwame Alexander; What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera; Yesterday Is History by Kosoko Jackson; and The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
THEME: Mental Health In recent years, students have picked up on the mental health issues of Romeo and Juliet in the play, and it has led to thoughtful and deep exploration. At the beginning of the play, Romeo has many symptoms of depression, and he and Juliet ultimately decide to take their own lives. Contemporary novels that explore mental health and healthy ways to get help during a mental health crisis provide students with a different perspective. Many of the books include positive interactions with a therapist, showcase the importance of asking for help, or both.
How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby – Pluto is struggling with depression, and much like Romeo at the beginning of the play, it makes it difficult for her to do anything. Melleby does an amazing job showing readers what it feels like to be depressed as a teenager and how those feelings impact relationships. Unlike Romeo, Pluto has a therapist, family, and friends to help her find herself and discover strategies to help her mental health.
My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee – Zinnia is struggling after her brother is diagnosed with a mental illness, but it feels like she needs to keep it a secret. Dee shows the impact mental illness has on family members and the importance of having someone you can trust to talk to about your feelings.
Anger Is a Gift by Marc Oshiro – After Moss’ father is killed, he has panic attacks. He attends an underfunded school where he is intimidated by the school resource officers. As things begin to get worse instead of better, Moss realizes that maybe his anger can be a gift and help him make a positive impact in his community. This book can also work with the theme of conflict and violence.
Other Recommendations: The Science of Being Angry by Nicole Melleby; A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner; The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead; What About Will by Ellen Hopkins; The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves; and Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca
THEME: Conflict and Violence The consequences of violence in Romeo and Juliet were death and tragedy. While many students enjoy reading about the fight scenes, it is sobering to think about the death and pain that resulted from this violence. Contemporary novels that explore the modern impacts of conflict and violence enable students to compare the impact then and today.
Rain Rising by Courtne Comrie – Rain’s brother is a star athlete planning to go to college on an athletic scholarship when he is a victim of racially motivated violence at a party and becomes unable to play. This act of violence impacts him, his family, and the entire community. Rain then finds herself struggling more than ever with her image and feeling worthy. She finds comfort and help in an after-school group. This book can also be used for the mental health theme.
The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga – This book explores the impact of a school shooting on two friends. When Cora’s sister is shot and killed by Quinn’s brother, the two girls work desperately to go back in time and change their siblings’ future but end up figuring out how to help themselves. This book highlights the very real and traumatic outcomes of school shootings.
Coyote Queen by Jessica Vitalis – Fud is a victim of domestic violence. Her mother’s boyfriend has physically and verbally abused her and her mother, and she is searching for a way to save her pregnant mother and herself. This tragically real story shines a light on the impact of domestic violence and how important it is to ask for help when needed.
Other Suggestions: Tethered to Other Stars by Elisa Stone Leahy; There Goes the Neighborhood by Jade Adia; Disappeared by Francisco Stork; All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely; I’m Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal; Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes; Shot Clock by Caron Butler and Justin A. Reynolds; and She’s Gone by David Bell
Some contemporary novels can be paired with any classic, but it can take time to find them. If you don’t have a free Titlewave® account yet, sign up to use Follet Tags. You can search for themes, topics, and genres that connect to the classics you use in your classroom. This tool will help you narrow down books that fit well with classics and build books lists for students to begin exploring.
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Kasey ShortKASEY SHORT
Director of Studies and Eighth Grade English Teacher
Charlotte Country Day School
Kasey Short enjoys sharing her ideas from the classroom and writes frequently for various educational outlets. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a Bachelor of Arts in middle school education with a concentration in English and history. She went on to earn a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Winthrop University. She is currently the Director of Studies and eighth grade English teacher at Charlotte Country Day School.
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