Review Detail

Kwame Alexander does it again - and does not disappoint his fans. Like The Crossover, Booked is written in verse and is about a young teen named Nick that is a star on the soccer pitch. Booked centers around soccer, but just like Crossover it is about so much more than just what goes on when Nick is on the field. Nick's parents are separating, he's bullied at school, he likes a girl but is afraid to talk to her, his best friend ends up on a different soccer team than him, and he feels relentless pressure from his dad. Many teenagers can relate to Nick is some way.

I love the way Kwame Alexander uses the power of words in this story. With the help of Nick's librarian words mean so much more than just letters written down on a piece of paper. Humor and sports are woven together effortlessly as Alexander tells about the challenges Nick faces. And of course, there is a little mystery thrown in with the mysterious dragonfly box. What is inside? Why is it so special? A dragonfly can symbolizes change and self-realization, but what does this mean for Nick?

Booked will appeal to a variety of readers and will surely get some hooked on narrative poetry as well. Great for reluctant readers, book lovers, and sports fans.