I’m sure some will prefer the original which is in a verse novel format, but I am happy to have both options as I truly think it will widen the range of readers to which I will hand off this book.

Same great story, and now we have visuals. I loved re-visiting this story, but in graphic novel format. While his books have already been loved by many students, this format will make them accessible to an even bigger audience. I love that Kwame Alexander’s popular middle grade books are being reimagined as graphic novels. Grateful to Edelweiss and Etch/HMH Books for Young Readers for the E-ARC of this book. I would recommend this book to my middle school students and believe that it would also appeal to some high school students.

I believe that many young readers will be able to relate to the struggles that Nick experiences. Through it all he has the support of his best friend Coby, the school librarian, and a counselor. Nick faces challenges related to soccer, bullying, girls, and his parents' relationship. He isn't a fan of books, but his dad requires him to read from a dictionary in order to increase his vocabulary. Although Booked doesn't follow the traditional graphic novel format with panels and word balloons, the words and illustrations still work together to create a cohesive story. I was thrilled when I first learned that some of his books were being adapted into graphic novels because that makes them even more accessible to young readers. Kwame Alexander has established himself as a master at writing engaging high-interest books that include deep thinking and complex vocabulary. Thank you to NetGalley and Clairon Books for the opportunity to review the graphic novel version of Booked by Kwame Alexander. Recently, Alexander led a delegation of 20 writers and activists to Ghana, where they delivered books, built a library, and provided literacy professional development to 300 teachers, as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an International literacy program he co-founded. A regular speaker at colleges and conferences in the U.S., he also travels the world planting seeds of literary love (Singapore, Brazil, Italy, France, Shanghai, etc.). Kwame believes that poetry can change the world, and he uses it to inspire and empower young people through his PAGE TO STAGE Writing and Publishing Program released by Scholastic. His other works include Surf's Up, a picture book Booked, a middle grade novel and He Said She Said, a YA novel. Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and New York Times Bestselling author of 21 books, including The Crossover, which received the 2015 John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American literature for Children, the Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, The NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, and the Passaic Poetry Prize.

Booked by kwame alexander