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Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess--February Selection

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Monday, Feb. 26
Moderator: Janice Kriegel

KIRKUS REVIEW


The 17-year-old son of a troubled rock star is determined to find his own way in life and love.
On the verge of adulthood, Blade Morrison wants to leave his father’s bad-boy reputation for drug-and-alcohol–induced antics and his sister’s edgy lifestyle behind. The death of his mother 10 years ago left them all without an anchor. Named for the black superhero, Blade shares his family’s connection to music but resents the paparazzi that prevent him from having an open relationship with the girl that he loves. However, there is one secret even Blade is unaware of, and when his sister reveals the truth of his heritage during a bitter fight, Blade is stunned. When he finally gains some measure of equilibrium, he decides to investigate, embarking on a search that will lead him to a small, remote village in Ghana. Along the way, he meets people with a sense of purpose, especially Joy, a young Ghanaian who helps him despite her suspicions of Americans. This rich novel in verse is full of the music that forms its core. In addition to Alexander and co-author Hess’ skilled use of language, references to classic rock songs abound. Secondary characters add texture to the story: does his girlfriend have real feelings for Blade? Is there more to his father than his inability to stay clean and sober? At the center is Blade, fully realized and achingly real in his pain and confusion.
A contemporary hero’s journey, brilliantly told. (Verse fiction. 14-adult)

Comments

  1. Bradley CraddockMarch 26, 2018 at 8:05 AM

    Well, there's no post yet for The Diary of Mattie Spenser. I'll be missing today due to a CIT responsibility--sorry to miss the exciting discussion. But, here's my 2 cents:

    While this reminds me a bit of my own book (the satirical Little House in the Dark Woods series: see the website and buy my books...shameless plug:
    https://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Dark-Woods-Brad-Craddock/dp/1365421082/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522076406&sr=8-3&keywords=brad+craddock&dpID=61oABpcS9zL&preST=_SY344_BO1,204,203,200_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

    I'm not sure I could find a place for this book in my curriculum. This just isn't our clientele, as I see it. Colorado of two centuries ago is as foreign to them as Mars--but not as exotic or, frankly, interesting. It's certainly not as funny as my take on this kind of sheltered life or history.

    With that said, I suppose the major theme of the book (the long suffering of women in the prairie) can be connected to the lives of our young girls, but I think other books for this crew would be a better choice. I'll keep the book in mind if a student is doing a project on the time period or wants a mildly juicy romance.

    This book might be of better use in the middle school or as a book choice on a list for middle school/early high school Westward expansion in the Social Studies department. But again, I think there are better choices that are more...effective...stories.

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