Booked - Kwame Alexander

Booked - Kwame Alexander

Bibliography: 

Alexander, K. (2022). Booked. Andersen Press.

Plot Summary: 

Twelve-year-old Nick loves soccer and hates books, but soon learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams.

Critical Analysis:

Wow, Kwame, you did it again! Booked was un-be-liev-a-ble!

Nick Hall LOVES soccer! His world revolves around it. He and best friend, Coby, play travel soccer, FIFA online, and watch the pros play on ESPN. Unfortunately, the opposite can be said for reading. Nick despises it! He is forced to read books in English like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and doesn't want any part of it. Plus, he is forced to read a dictionary of weird words which was written by his father, a linguistic professor. Then, there's Mr. MacDonald, AKA The Mac, a former Grammy-winning rap producer turned school librarian whose goal is to get a book into Nick's hands.

Booked has middle school drama, girl crushes, parent issues, bullies, and a lot of great references to modern culture. Beautifully written in typical Kwame-style, this book will have you laughing, crying, and wishing for the best for all the characters. I cannot wait for Booked to be released so everyone can read this!

Review Excerpt: 

Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

Alexander skillfully juggles verse styles to realistically capture Nick's humor and smarts, passion for soccer, and vulnerability when being bullied, having surgery, or facing his parents' troubled marriage. Emotionally resonant and with a pace like a player on a breakaway...

Horn Book (starred review)

Alexander understands reluctant readers deeply, and here hands them a protagonist who is himself a smart, reading-averse kid who just wants to enjoy the words that interest him on his own terms. With accessible poetic forms and engaging formatting, Booked ’s pages will be turned swiftly and enthusiastically.

Booklist (starred review)

Middle-school readers and their advocates will surely love Alexander’s joyous word play and celebration of reading.

School Library Journal

Newbery-winning poet Alexander once again brings to life a novel in verse that equally captures the rapid-fire excitement of a soccer match and the palpable pain of a young boy whose family is falling apart. Another winning goal for Alexander and middle school readers alike.

Connections:

Racial Discrimination & Prejudice

Multi-leveled lesson that goes with the graphic novel

Book Trailer to help persuade students to want to read