Booked: The Graphic Novel

by Kwame Alexander, Dawud Anyabwile (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Kwame Alexander’s bestselling The Crossover series gets the graphic novel treatment in this unique adaptation of Booked. Themes of family, friendship and, of course, soccer are tackled in this illustrated story perfect for reluctant readers.

In this electrifying follow-up to Kwame Alexander's Newbery winner The Crossover, soccer, family, love, and friendship take center stage. A New York Times bestseller and National Book Award Longlist nominee, now in a graphic novel edition featuring art from Dawud Anyabwile.

Twelve-year-old Nick 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. Helping him along are his best friend and sometimes teammate Coby, and The Mac, a rapping librarian who gives Nick inspiring books to read.  

This electric and heartfelt novel-in-verse bends and breaks as it captures all the thrills and setbacks, action and emotion of a World Cup match.

"A novel about a soccer-obsessed tween boy written entirely in verse? In a word, yes. Kwame Alexander has the magic to pull off this unlikely feat, both as a poet and as a storyteller. " —The Chicago Tribune

Can’t nobody stop you

Can’t nobody cop you…

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780358161820
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	08/02/2022
Series:	The Crossover Series , #2
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	24,104
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 5.60(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kwame Alexander is a poet, an educator, and the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five books, including his Newbery Medal–winning middle grade novel The Crossover. Some of his other works include Booked, which was longlisted for the National Book Award; The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life; Swing; the picture books How to Read a Book and How to Write a Poem (coauthored with Deanna Nikaido), both illustrated by Melissa Sweet; and The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, which was longlisted for the National Book Award and won the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. He is a regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition, currently serving as their poet ambassador. He lives in Virginia with his family. Visit his website at kwamealexander.com. 

Dawud Anyabwile is an Emmy Award–winning artist, illustrator, and cocreator of the groundbreaking comic book series Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline. Anyabwile has worked with companies such as Cartoon Network, Turner Studios, NBA TV, Nickelodeon, and many others as a character designer, storyboard artist, illustrator, and concept artist. Anyabwile illustrated the graphic novel adaptation of the New York Times bestselling novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Anyabwile now volunteers, teaches art classes to young students, and gives lectures when he isn't working on his art.

Instagram @brothermancomix

Editorial Reviews

★ 11/01/2021

Gr 5–8—After a stunning turn with the 2016 graphic novelization of The Crossover, Alexander and Anyabwile once again team up, this time for an adaptation of Alexander's 2016 novel in verse. Eighth grader Nick Hall lives and breathes soccer, but he's got plenty of other things on his mind. His best friend is on a rival team; his dad's expectations for him are astronomically high; a couple of brutish bullies keep getting in his business; he's trying to figure out what to do about his crush, April; and his parents have separated, and, even worse, his mom is moving from their home in Texas to Kentucky to train racing horses. Readers will find Nick relatable and funny—his malapropisms and wordplay brim with rhythmic joy, even when he addresses tough topics. Nick finds himself succeeding in some spaces while drowning in others. Luckily, supportive adults help pull him to shore, like the Mac, a rapper-turned-librarian who (along with April) reframes Nick's relationship with words and reading, laying the groundwork for a fresh start for the boy and his dad. The grayscale palette, highlighted by lime green accents, allows the poetry to take center stage. Nick and his family are Black. VERDICT Conveying an important mental health message, this graphic novel adaptation is one more feather in the cap of a truly iconic author.—Abby Bussen, Muskego P.L., WI

School Library Journal

Alexander’s poetic storytelling and knack for language wrap around fun and expressive artwork to make for an inarguably charming format that may especially hold appeal for reluctant readers.”—Kirkus
 
“Conveying an important mental health message, this graphic novel adaptation is one more feather in the cap of a truly iconic author.”—School Library Journal
 

From the Publisher

2021-10-13
Eighth grader Nick Hall is a smart kid and a rising soccer star struggling with some rather sizable obstacles off the pitch in this graphic adaptation of Alexander’s 2016 verse novel by the same name.

Despite being quick on his feet and clever enough to dodge his schoolwork, Nick can’t as easily maneuver around his parents’ impending separation, sending his life into a bit of a spiral. Black-and-white illustrations with striking green accents from Anyabwile complement an emotional narrative about the forces kicking Nick while he’s already down. High expectations from his father, incessant bullying, and a sudden health scare that gets in the way of soccer aspirations pile on top of Nick during an already challenging stage of adolescence. But distance from his mother throughout all of this exacerbates a heartbreakingly relatable sinking feeling that necessitates professional intervention to help Nick work through his hurt. While the free-verse text may not always be an intuitive read for many traditional graphic-novel fans—especially when it comes to following dialogue—Alexander’s poetic storytelling and knack for language wrap around fun and expressive artwork to make for an inarguably charming format that may especially hold appeal for reluctant readers. Main characters are Black, and there is racial diversity in the supporting cast.

A hard-fought emotional score. (Graphic fiction. 10-13)

Kirkus Reviews