Romiette and Julio is a novel by Sharon Draper. It tells the story of two teenagers who are in love, but must overcome the odds to stay together. The novel explores the challenges and obstacles that young love can face, and ultimately shows that true love will always find a way. Romiette and Julio is a heartwarming story of young love triumphing against all odds, and is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.
Sharon M. Draper’s Romeo and Juliet Redux is a modified version of William Shakespeare’s disaster Romeo and Juliet. Romiette has had yet another drowning dream in real life. To calm herself, she begins to write in her diary. The next morning, Julio arrives at Romiette’s school for the first time. Following his father’s new employment to Cincinnati, Julio migrates north to Romiette. Ben is a classmate of Julio who he assaults hard enough to cause his nose bleeding on the first day of class.
Romiette gets caught in the middle of a fight between the two and is accidentally hit by Julio. Romiette falls and hits her head on a locker, passing out. When Romiette comes to, she’s in the nurse’s office with Julio sitting next to her. She has a concussion and is extremely dizzy. Julio helps Romiette home, and they end up falling in love with each other.
One day, Romiette goes to her best friend Destiny’s house after school, and they decided to go online to find out more about Julio. They come across a site called “CinciGangstas” and learn that he is a member of the gang. Romiette is terrified and doesn’t want to be associated with a gang member. However, Destiny convince her that Julio is not like that and she should give him a chance. Romiette decides to go on a date with Julio, against her better judgment.
At the movies, Romiette and Julio run into some of Julio’s old friends from Corpus Christi. Romiette is surprised when they start talking about how they used to fight and hurt people. She starts to wonder if Julio is really the person she thought he was. Later, they go to get food and Romiette finds out that Julio doesn’t have any money. She offers to pay for his meal, but he refuses and says he’ll pay her back. Romiette is offended and they end up having a big argument.
Romiette and Julio eventually make up, but Romiette is still worried about his old gang friends. She asks him to stay away from them, but he refuses. Romiette’s mom finds out about the gang and forbids Romiette from seeing Julio again. Romiette is heartbroken, but she obeys her mother’s wishes. However, she can’t stop thinking about him.
A few days later, Romiette gets a call from Destiny saying that Julio has been shot. She rushes to the hospital to find out that he’s going to be okay. Romiette is relieved and they both realize that they can’t live without each other. Romiette’s mom finally approves of their relationship and they live happily ever after.
After Ben tells the principal that Julio had tripped and fell, they become friends. That afternoon, Julio logs into a chat room with the screen name “spanish enthusiast” and starts to chat anonymously with “afroqueen.” He later finds out that she is Romiette. They arrange for Fate to come over to her house to watch a movie.
Romiette and Julio have much in common, including their shared hatred of gang violence. Romiette’s best friend, Destiny, is not very fond of Julio, and does not trust him because he is a guy.
Romiette and Julio are drawn to each other from the start. They continue talking online and eventually agree to meet in person. Romiette is hesitant at first, but Julio assures her that he just wants to be friends. When they finally meet, they hit it off immediately and become inseparable.
However, their relationship is soon put to the test when Romiette’s ex-boyfriend, Kentrell, who belongs to a rival gang, starts stalking her and making threats against Julio. Romiette and Julio are forced to go into hiding, with the help of Romiette’s mother and the police.
Despite the challenges they face, Romiette and Julio’s relationship continues to grow stronger. They eventually get married, and have a baby girl whom they name after Romiette’s mother.
Later, at school, Julio is threatened by The Devildogs gang. They think he’s apart of a rival gang from Texas. When he gets home, Julio calls his good friend Diego to tell him about how much he hates Cincinnati and the bullies there. As soon as Diego hangs up, Ben calls and asks if Julio wants to chat online again or meet in person for lunch.
Romiette and Julio’s parents fulfill that night as well as Romiette shares her joy with her mommy. Romiette is just one of the very first to show up to lunch, so she discovers a table. The rest of Romiette’s pals get here and start chatting with her about random points.
Suddenly, Romiette feels somebody’s eyes on her and turns around to see Julio gazing at her from throughout the cafeteria Romiette is elated, but does not wish to show it, so she averts her eyes. When lunch is over, Romiette gathers her things as well as heads towards class, but is stopped by Destiny who has something essential to tell her. Destiny tells Romiette that she has a bad sensation about Julio and Romiette asks why. Destiny says that she cannot explain it, but Romiette should beware.
Romiette walks to class, but is stopped by Julio who wants to talk. Romiette is hesitant at first, however then agrees to chat with him in the park after school. Romiette goes home after institution as well as tells her mommy regarding her plans to meet Julio in the park. Romiette’s mother advises her to be careful which she will go with her. Romiette and also her mom most likely to the park and also wait on Julio. When he finally shows up, they begin talking as well as walking.