Booked

National Book Award longlist 2017 ILA-CBC Children's Choice List Book Links' Lasting Connections 2016 Kirkus Best of 2016 Nerdy Book Club Nerdies 2016 Poetry/Novels in Verse New York Times Bestseller San Francisco Chronicle Best of 2016 Washington Post Best of 2016 BookPage Best of 2016 "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 "This lively, touching middle school soccer story is full of fun." --Common Sense Media * "A satisfying, winning read." --Kirkus, STARRED review * "Alexander skillfully juggles verse styles to realistically capture Nick's humor and smarts, passion for soccer, and vulnerability when being bullied, having surgery, or facing his parents' troubled marriage. Emotionally resonant and with a pace like a player on a breakaway..." -- Publishers Weekly, STARRED review * "Alexander understands reluctant readers deeply, and here hands them a protagonist who is himself a smart, reading-averse kid who just wants to enjoy the words that interest him on his own terms. With accessible poetic forms and engaging formatting, Booked 's pages will be turned swiftly and enthusiastically." -- Horn BookMagazine, STARRED review * "Middle-school readers and their advocates will surely love Alexander's joyous word play and celebration of reading." -- Booklist, STARRED review "Newbery-winning poet Alexander once again brings to life a novel in verse that equally captures the rapid-fire excitement of a soccer match and the palpable pain of a young boy whose family is falling apart. Another winning goal for Alexander and middle school readers alike." --School Library Journal "This is a fantastic book with a never-ending supply of new words like "onomatophobia" and "yobbery" that will leave readers full of new words and ideas. This is an absolute must-have for any library serving tweens." -- VOYA "A powerful story that will leave the reader breathless, right to the very end." --BookPage Children's Top Pick --