46 pages 1 hour read

Sharon M. Draper

Romiette and Julio

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1999

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Character Analysis

Romiette “Romi” Cappelle

In the words of protagonist Romiette “Romi” Cappelle herself, “I am brown, like the earth, tall and slim like a poplar tree, and outspoken like the wind on a stormy day” (4). Sixteen-year-old Romi exudes confidence, pride, and a willingness to explore her identity as an African American girl. In many ways, she is a typical teenager with various likes (environmentally safe products, chili, and macadamia nut cookies) and dislikes (picky people, watermelon, and chocolate). But unlike many teenage characters who are framed as emotional and irrational, she is decidedly practical; however, her friendship with the aptly named Destiny allows her to appreciate the spiritual as well. Romi experiences a recurring drowning dream, as she cannot swim, but Destiny’s talk of soul mates and the eventual manifestation of her nightmare (i.e., transfer student-turned-friend Julio Montague saving her from drowning) allow her to conquer her fear of open water.

Despite the negative reputation of the Black gang at her high school, the Devildogs, and her being mistakenly linked to them, Romi remains proud of her African heritage—as her father’s job as a successful newscaster and her mother’s dealings with expensive African artifacts give her a strong sense of cultural identity.

Related Titles

By Sharon M. Draper

Study Guide

logo

Copper Sun

Sharon M. Draper

Copper Sun

Sharon M. Draper

Study Guide

logo

Darkness Before Dawn

Sharon M. Draper

Darkness Before Dawn

Sharon M. Draper

Study Guide

logo

Double Dutch

Sharon M. Draper

Double Dutch

Sharon M. Draper

Study Guide

logo

Forged By Fire

Sharon M. Draper

Forged By Fire

Sharon M. Draper

Plot Summary

logo

Just Another Hero

Sharon M. Draper

Just Another Hero

Sharon M. Draper

Study Guide

logo

November Blues

Sharon M. Draper

November Blues

Sharon M. Draper

Study Guide

logo

Out of My Heart

Sharon M. Draper

Out of My Heart

Sharon M. Draper

Study Guide

logo

Stella by Starlight

Sharon M. Draper

Stella by Starlight

Sharon M. Draper

Study Guide

logo

Tears of a Tiger

Sharon M. Draper

Tears of a Tiger

Sharon M. Draper

Plot Summary

logo

The Battle of Jericho

Sharon M. Draper

The Battle of Jericho

Sharon M. Draper

STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE

logo

We Beat the Street

George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt, Sampson Davis, Sharon M. Draper

We Beat the Street: How A Friendship Pact Led to Success

George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt, Sampson Davis, Sharon M. Draper