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librarydoc's review against another edition
4.0
**Thanks to @kidlitexchange for the advanced review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.** 4/5 stars
Grades 7+
Book Talk
Blade Morrison is NOT your typical 17-year old boy. He is the son of rock star parents, and is incredibly talented in his own right. He's got a gorgeous girlfriend and is on the cover of the tabloids. But after his mom dies, Blade's dad spirals into a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol that leaves Blade and his sister Storm pretty much on their own. Then Blade discovers that his dad isn't really his dad at all. Blade was adopted as a baby.
Blade begins the journey of a lifetime to Ghana, to meet his birth mother. Unfortunately, he does not go alone. His rock star dad decides to make the trip a family experience, including a giant tour bus and a reality television film crew.
Will Blade find his mother? Can the relationship between he and his father ever be repaired?
My Thoughts
I am generally not a big fan of verse novel, but I liked this one. The story moves pretty quickly, and I cared about the characters. I hated the names, though. I know, that sounds trivial. But Chapel? Storm? Blade? It felt a little...contrived. Still, I connected to Blade's struggle with his dad. I wanted his reunion with his birth mother to be successful. And I cheered for little Sia when she got sick. Overall, I would recommend this one to fans of Kwame Alexander's other verse novels or Jason Reynolds' books.
Little to object to here in terms of language or adult content, although themes of alcoholism and drug use are probably too heavy for elementary. I recommend for grades 7+ (or mature 6th graders).
Grades 7+
Book Talk
Blade Morrison is NOT your typical 17-year old boy. He is the son of rock star parents, and is incredibly talented in his own right. He's got a gorgeous girlfriend and is on the cover of the tabloids. But after his mom dies, Blade's dad spirals into a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol that leaves Blade and his sister Storm pretty much on their own. Then Blade discovers that his dad isn't really his dad at all. Blade was adopted as a baby.
Blade begins the journey of a lifetime to Ghana, to meet his birth mother. Unfortunately, he does not go alone. His rock star dad decides to make the trip a family experience, including a giant tour bus and a reality television film crew.
Will Blade find his mother? Can the relationship between he and his father ever be repaired?
My Thoughts
I am generally not a big fan of verse novel, but I liked this one. The story moves pretty quickly, and I cared about the characters. I hated the names, though. I know, that sounds trivial. But Chapel? Storm? Blade? It felt a little...contrived. Still, I connected to Blade's struggle with his dad. I wanted his reunion with his birth mother to be successful. And I cheered for little Sia when she got sick. Overall, I would recommend this one to fans of Kwame Alexander's other verse novels or Jason Reynolds' books.
Little to object to here in terms of language or adult content, although themes of alcoholism and drug use are probably too heavy for elementary. I recommend for grades 7+ (or mature 6th graders).
jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, but not as much as other books by the author. I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half.
chilotte's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
tinky47's review against another edition
5.0
This may the most gorgeous book I’ve read this year- the verse is lyrical. Don’t let the start of the book and teenage angst fool you. This novel in verse has gumption and weight in its message.
bookschaosnart's review against another edition
4.0
I love the lyrical and poetic nature of the writing and it makes sense for a family of musicians to communicate in this way. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of poetry in general I definitely tore through this story. Having the story told in verse definitely added to the novel.
As I'm not the target audience in terms of the characters age I'm not going to comment on that aspect but overall it's a great read and worth recommending to those in the YA bracket in order to help them understand their feelings and conflicts.
As I'm not the target audience in terms of the characters age I'm not going to comment on that aspect but overall it's a great read and worth recommending to those in the YA bracket in order to help them understand their feelings and conflicts.
danie_faye's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thechanelmuse's review against another edition
3.0
I don't think I would've enjoyed this as much if I hadn't listened to the audiobook. Hearing the music was such a treat.
keyari's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Audiobook: 5✨(Narrated by: Kwame Alexander with Randy Preston)
ec_newman's review against another edition
3.0
Verse novels are hard to write about, because in some ways, they are so unrealistic (who would ever be able to come up with those turns of phrase), but at the same time, it's a story about music (this one is) and it totally makes sense that the story is lyrical.
More to come when I've pondered for a bit.
--
This is a good book. I've enjoyed discussing it with my students. However, I am really bothered by the characterization of Joy. She has no flaws, she is a complete idealized woman. If you put her next to Chapel, you have the Perfect and the Evil. And it just really annoys me that Blade couldn't just have befriended Joy, but fell for her, days after breaking up with Chapel.
Ugh, Joy's fortune cookie wisdom and again, NO FLAWS, makes me want to knock this book down a star.
More to come when I've pondered for a bit.
--
This is a good book. I've enjoyed discussing it with my students. However, I am really bothered by the characterization of Joy. She has no flaws, she is a complete idealized woman. If you put her next to Chapel, you have the Perfect and the Evil. And it just really annoys me that Blade couldn't just have befriended Joy, but fell for her, days after breaking up with Chapel.
Ugh, Joy's fortune cookie wisdom and again, NO FLAWS, makes me want to knock this book down a star.
abyreadsalot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5