It's springtime at South Orange Middle School. Pete Saltz is in love with Anabelle, a girl in his eighth grade class, and she likes him, too. But they're both so shy, they won't even look at each other, much less show their feelings. It will take more than chance to get them together. Fortunately, Ed Sitrow, another eighth grader, has a master plan. He'll cast Pete and Anabelle in the lead roles of a school production of Romeo and Juliet. Then they will have to kiss each other in the last act. Soon the whole school is looking forward to the play-and the big scene. Avi has delighted countless young readers with his tales of high-spirited adventure. A former librarian, he has won a Newbery Honor Award, an O'Dell Award, a Christopher Award, and honors from the ALA for his works. Romeo and Juliet . is full of slapstick and excitement, and narrator Jeff Woodman's lighthearted performance heightens the fun.