Sign in with Facebook
Terri's Reviews > Booked
Booked
by
by
To be released in April of 2016, "Booked" by Kwame Alexander delivers on all levels. Starting with the cover, which will draw potential readers in with its simplicity and the promise of soccer and action, the book is spot on.
Once that potential reader cracks the cover, he or she will be reeled in by language that positively dances on the page, and find much more than soccer! Alexander employs a variety of poetic forms to tell the story of twelve year old Nick Hall and his family. Because of the sparsity of words (lots of white space on each page), the book moves quickly (I read it in one sitting) and will be unthreatening for reluctant readers. The fact that the protagonist is a reluctant reader himself, much to his professor, "verbomaniac" father's chagrin, is also a plus here. "Booked" teaches us about the power of words and of reading (Nick's dad says, "I give you the dictionary so you'll know the world better, son. So you'll BE better." ). Through Nick, the reader will also explore issues of divorce, loss, friendship, bullying, standing up, regret, family, education, and more. The "lessons" here are positive and uplifting - despite the challenges that Nick faces. I loved the fact that the story includes characters of color. I loved the fact that boys cry in the story. I loved the positive, present, supportive adult characters. I love the fact that teachers are made human.
Though the protagonist is identified as a twelve year old middle schooler, he could just as easily have been a high school student. And the book will definitely appeal to high schoolers! Buy lots of copies!
TEACHERS: "Booked" is a testament to your power! It is an ode to words and great literature! It would be an excellent addition to the classroom to teach vocabulary, poetic forms, malapropisms, epistolary literature, etc.
Once that potential reader cracks the cover, he or she will be reeled in by language that positively dances on the page, and find much more than soccer! Alexander employs a variety of poetic forms to tell the story of twelve year old Nick Hall and his family. Because of the sparsity of words (lots of white space on each page), the book moves quickly (I read it in one sitting) and will be unthreatening for reluctant readers. The fact that the protagonist is a reluctant reader himself, much to his professor, "verbomaniac" father's chagrin, is also a plus here. "Booked" teaches us about the power of words and of reading (Nick's dad says, "I give you the dictionary so you'll know the world better, son. So you'll BE better." ). Through Nick, the reader will also explore issues of divorce, loss, friendship, bullying, standing up, regret, family, education, and more. The "lessons" here are positive and uplifting - despite the challenges that Nick faces. I loved the fact that the story includes characters of color. I loved the fact that boys cry in the story. I loved the positive, present, supportive adult characters. I love the fact that teachers are made human.
Though the protagonist is identified as a twelve year old middle schooler, he could just as easily have been a high school student. And the book will definitely appeal to high schoolers! Buy lots of copies!
TEACHERS: "Booked" is a testament to your power! It is an ode to words and great literature! It would be an excellent addition to the classroom to teach vocabulary, poetic forms, malapropisms, epistolary literature, etc.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
Booked.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
January 19, 2016
–
Started Reading
January 19, 2016
– Shelved
January 19, 2016
–
Finished Reading
