Booked

Eighth grader Nick Hall navigates middle school life while dealing with his parents' separation and his passion for soccer. His English teacher helps develop his interest in words and language, even as Nick resists reading. The story unfolds through free verse poetry that captures Nick's daily experiences with bullies, first crushes, and intense soccer matches. His best friend Coby and the school librarian, "the Mac," provide support as Nick faces changes at home and school. The book explores themes of family bonds, self-discovery, and finding one's voice through both words and athletics. It demonstrates how literature and sports can each contribute to a young person's growth and understanding of the world.

Readers connect with the authentic voice and relatability of 12-year-old Nick as he navigates middle school challenges. The novel-in-verse format makes the book accessible to reluctant readers while maintaining depth in its exploration of family, friendship, and growing up. Readers praised: - Fast-paced storytelling that hooks young readers - Integration of soccer themes with coming-of-age moments - Strong father-son relationship dynamics - Effective use of footnotes to explain vocabulary - Representation of school bullying and first crushes Common criticisms: - Some found the verse format initially difficult to follow - Soccer references can be confusing for non-fans - Plot feels predictable to some adult readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,000+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 One middle school teacher noted: "My students who claim to hate reading finished this in two days." Several parent reviews mentioned the book helped their children develop interest in both poetry and sports-themed literature.

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🏃‍♂️ Twelve-year-old Nick Hall's journey through soccer, friendship, and first love mirrors author Kwame Alexander's own childhood experiences with sports and poetry. 📚 The book is written entirely in verse (poetry), making it accessible to reluctant readers while introducing them to various poetic forms. 📖 "The Mac" (Nick's dad) creates his own dictionary for Nick, which features real vocabulary words that readers can learn alongside the main character. 🏆 Booked was named a 2017 NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts and received multiple other literary accolades. 🎭 The book tackles serious issues like bullying and divorce while weaving in elements of humor and pop culture, including references to social media and contemporary music.