Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute
Funny "Sense and Sensibility" takeoff highlights diversity.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sayantani DasGupta's Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute is a funny Sense and Sensibility retelling highlighting the need for diversity in mainstream media. Readers will learn about Regency-era clothing, manners, and history. There are also many references to Jane Austen and Shakespeare throughout the story. Family, friendship, empathy, humility, and integrity are important themes. There's a diverse, multicultural cast of characters that believe in inclusivity. There are also gay, lesbian, and bisexual characters. Eila and her friends at Regency Camp want to see more queer couples, couples of color, and women's lives outside of courtship and marriage in the next season of the Regency-era TV series Rosewood. Characters get into arguments. A girl threatens to have the camp counselor fired if she doesn't get more time with the actor already cast in Rosewood. Eila's old high school drama teacher didn't believe in color-blind casting, so leading roles would only go to White kids. Characters kiss and hold hands. Two girls share a kiss, and two boys share a kiss. There are mentions of Eila and Mallika watching Rosewood scenes of couples making out or engaging in "seriously R-rated" or NSFW (not suitable for work) things, although nothing is described graphically. Strong language includes "ass," "bloody," and name-calling like "scoundrel," "idiot," "trollop." There are a couple of mentions of an adult smoking a cigarette.
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What's the Story?
In ROSEWOOD: A MIDSUMMER MEET CUTE, Eila Das dreamed of becoming an actor. But after her dad passed away, Eila traded her passion for theater for a sensible career, insisting that she'll give up acting to become a lawyer. After all, she's the oldest, and it's her responsibility to take care of her younger sister, Mallika. Eila's devastated when she learns that the Norland Summer Shakespeare Academy has been canceled and replaced by Regency Camp, where producers of the hit Bridgerton-like TV show Rosewood will scout for potential talent. And she doesn't know what to think when she learns that Mallika submitted applications for them, and they were accepted.
While at Regency Camp, Eila meets Rahul Lee, a smart, handsome boy who happens to love Shakespeare and the theater as much as she does. But what happens when Eila discovers that Mallika and Rahul have been keeping secrets? Will Eila find a way to keep her acting dreams alive?
Is It Any Good?
This funny, fast-paced retelling of a Jane Austen classic highlights the need for diverse representation in mainstream media. Besides enjoying the update of Sense and Sensibility, readers will love the Regency facts regarding clothing, manners, and history between the chapters and the references to Shakespeare and Austen throughout the story. And although there is a charming, multicultural group of characters who believe in inclusivity, the plot is predictable, and the ending feels rushed. However, as Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute progresses, teens will see the importance of family, friendship, empathy, humility, and integrity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the various kinds of diversity in Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute. Why are diverse representations important in children's and young adult literature?
How do the characters demonstrate empathy, humility, and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?
Does the romance portrayed seem realistic and relatable? Do YA romance novels help readers sort out their feelings and learn how to communicate, or do they create false expectations about teen relationships?
Book Details
- Author: Sayantani DasGupta
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Empathy, Humility, Integrity
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Scholastic Press
- Publication date: March 7, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 320
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: March 15, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Sense and Sensibility
Classic novel is rich in romance and humor.
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Sense and Sensibility
A lush and witty adaptation of Jane Austen's novel.
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Bridgerton
Sex, nudity, smoking in sumptuous, diverse period drama.
-
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating
Cute, socially aware romance of queer South Asian teens.
For kids who love classics and romance
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