Shakespeare for a 9 year old

[Dancergirl]

Dd2 is a passionately keen reader and wants to try reading Romeo and Juliet. She has already read the Shakespeare Stories set of books and now wants to try the real thing.

Can anyone recommend a suitable edition for her, perhaps one of the school editions? The Oxford school Shakespeare looks good on Amazon, maybe something like this?

I can't recommend any particular editions, though I'm sure a bit of browsing will reveal many child-friendly editions. Would she be interested in the film versions by Zefferelli and Luhrmann? I think I'd want to encourage her to explore the language, but the themes are quite adult, so maybe something you can share together? Lucky you.

I would definitely take her to see some Shakespeare in performance or get out one of the movies. An annotated Shakespeare just breaks up their enjoyment I'd say, much better to let her get the gist from performance and then she can enjoy the language of the play-which you can get free online anyway. not sure if you are in London but The Globe do an amazing tour and exhibition which even my 6 and 3 year old loved.

Robert Swindells has rewritten two of Shakespeare's plays for children. I haven't read either of them, but I do like his other stuff - he's a good writer for both younger children and teens/young adults.

As plays I think seeing them performed is great for children, reading a play is quite different and imho far less enjoyable. However, with the films I read the text alongside watching, I have no real idea why I do this but I always have and just like to do it. I may be slightly odd.

Can't really help with your question but I just wanted to say that I saw the RSC's Midsummer Night's Dream, on tour, when I was 8 or 9. It was amazing. Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Richard Briers. I still remember it to this day and it sparked a real love of Shakespeare. I'm off to the Globe next month for my first fix in a while. I definitely think taking her to see some would be excellent (although I'm guessing you may already have done so). A trip to Stratford or the Globe could be a great experience.

I'm tempted to agree with a PP that reading the play might be a stretch at 9, even for a really bright child. And annotations get in the way. I like the idea of reading alongside a film though. Might be a good way in.

If you do encourage her to read one I'd choose a comedy rather than a tragedy, to be honest. MND or Twelfth Night are really accessible, Merry Wives or Comedy of Errors also. I think it's easier to keep reading a comedy. Although R&J is surely the best of the tragedies to try.

Enjoy - I hope my DCs are as enthusiastic!

these are beautifully written.

Lambs tales from Shakespeare was one I remembered from my (very long ago!) childhood

These Orchard Books are the plays written in simple prose which would be good to give her an idea of the story and characters before trying a simple play. They also have a great section at the end talking about staging in Shakespeare's times (IIRC) and a simple discussion of the main theme of the play. Really good.