Fortune's Fools: A Romeo Roller Coaster

This new story of sporting rivalry shines a light on the very worst things about sport. Dom and Blake are BFFs ‘for evaaaaaaaaa!’ and are the best two sportspeople in their school. Their friendship is pushed to the limit, though, by shameful grown-ups hungry for a taste of sporting victory.

Headteacher – Mr Fortune – is a Shakespeare nut and decides that the entire school house system is going to be based around Romeo and Juliet. With sports day approaching, the school community takes the play’s themes somewhat too seriously, with hordes of Capulets and Montagues behaving appallingly in an effort to assert themselves as the best house. Teachers and parents who are usually very civil suddenly become mortal enemies, willing to win at any cost; even if it means shouting abuse at one another’s children or – even worse – insulting one another’s baking!

The course of true friendship never runs smooth, even for the fastest two sprinters in town. Placed in opposing houses, with marauding supporters to please, Dom and Blake must battle one another for victory, whatever it takes.

Fortune’s Fools is a fun take on the two households of fair Verona, celebrating one of the Bard’s most famous plays in a fun and original way that is relatable for young readers. Montgomery’s use of a three-legged race to evoke the tragic final scene of Romeo and Juliet is especially impressive.

Barrington Stoke always publish their books in a way that is accessible to emerging readers, and the manageable length and sporty theme of Fortune’s Fools means that it could be a real winner for reluctant readers.