Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Though it only came out in august, it is already a new york times bestseller and i can absolutely see why. Aug 01, 2017 solo by kwame alexander with mary rand hess. He grew up in a house full of books but had a few years in middle school when he. Solo, cowritten with mary rand hess, tells the story of seventeenyearold blade morrison, whose life is bombarded with scathing tabloid covers and a constant reminder that his famous father is struggling with just about every addiction under the sunincluding a desperate desire to make a rocknroll comeback. See all books authored by kwame alexander, including the crossover, and booked, and more on. The book is both a sports novel and a reflection on nicks experiences struggling with an. Since kwame alexander won the 2015 newbery medal for the crossover, hes been traveling far and wide in a whirl of evangelism for reading, poetry, friendship, selfexpression, sports, music and love. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. Jul 20, 2017 kwame alexander has always been surrounded by books and reading. 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. It is realistic in that 17 year blade morrison could exist in real life. Kwame alexander biography list of works, study guides. Why kwame alexanders solo is perfect for national poetry month.
On the verge of adulthood, blade morrison wants to leave his fathers badboy reputation for drugandalcoholinduced antics and his sisters edgy lifestyle behind. Kwame alexander did not disappoint in his newest novel. Kwame alexander is a poet, childrens book author, playwright, producer, dynamic speaker, performer, and the author of fourteen books including and then you know. Blade is the son of a rockstardrug addict who just wants to play his own music and find his own path. A novel in verse with all the impact and rhythm listeners have come to expect from kwame alexander, rebound will go back in time to visit the childhood of chuck da man bell during one pivotal summer when young charlie is sent to stay with his grandparents, where he discovers basketball and learns more about his familys past. Kwame alexander books list of books by author kwame alexander. Oct 09, 2018 solo by kwame alexander with mary rand hess 2017 if your kids loved alexanders books but are growing up fast, solo, which will appeal to readers age fourteen and up, will fit the bill. Alexander was born in brooklyn in 1968 to a very artistically inclined family. Solo by kwame alexander overdrive rakuten overdrive. This 39page guide for booked by kwame alexander includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis, as well as several more. In solo, alexander and rand hess tell the story of blade morrison, the son of rock star and drug addict rutherford morrison, whose fame and addictions complicate his sons life. His young adult novel solo was nominated for a 2017 naacp image award, and his middle grade novel the crossover received the 2015 newbery medal.
Thrown into a tailspin, blade decides that the only way he will understand his past and begin his future is to find out the truth behind the music and. The experience that inspired poet kwame alexander to open a library in. This masterfully woven tale of forgiveness, family, music, and comingof age amid excess and secrets is a compelling book for these instacelebrity times. Like kwame alexander s previous books, each character in solo have elements that you can relate to and see in the people you know. Told entirely in verse, solo is a story full of love, loss, addiction and music. Getting kids interested in poetry poet and educator kwame alexander stops by to chat about poetry with nprs rachel martin. Kwame alexander books list of books by author kwame. All the new cars and money in the world cant make up for the scathing tabloid. He runs the bookinaday program to introduce children to writing and publishing and was born in manhattan, new york.
Solo by kwame alexander, with mary rand hess, is tells the story of 17yearold blade morrison, who is being crushed between the tabloids exposing his former rockstarfathers addition and a protected secret that threatens his own identity. From new york times bestselling author and newbery award winner, kwame alexander. Kwame alexander, winner of the 2015 newbery medal for his book the crossover, a middlegrade novel in verse. Swing and solo by kwame alexander with mary rand hess. All the new cars and money in the world cant make up for the scathing tabloid covers or the fact that his father is. From awardwinning and new york times bestselling author kwame alexander, with mary rand hess, comes solo, a ya novel written in poetic verse solo tells the story of seventeenyearold blade morrison, who knows the life of a rock star isnt really about the glitz and glamour. One book ive been totally crushing on lately is kwame alexander s solo. After he crashes blades high school graduation in a drunken stupor, blade has had enough. Alexander has also received the coretta scott king author award honor, the ncte charlotte huck honor, the lee bennett hopkins poetry award, and the. Solo is a realistic fiction book written in verse style. As with other of alexanders award winning books, solo is written in verse. The experience that inspired poet kwame alexander to open a library in ghana. The experience that inspired poet kwame alexander to open. Mary rand hess is a poet, mixedmedia artist, screenwriter, and new york times bestselling author of solo and animal ark.
We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. Jul 27, 2017 getting kids interested in poetry poet and educator kwame alexander stops by to chat about poetry with nprs rachel martin. Kwame alexander is a poet, educator, new york times bestselling author of 21 books, and recipient of the 2015 newbery medal for his novel, t. His name kwame comes from ghana and it means born on a saturday, but alexander was born on a wednesday. He shares some ideas for poems to read with kids and tips for getting. The official music video for kwame alexander s the playbook with music by randy preston duration. Solo by kwame alexander blades father is a famous rock star but hes also an alcoholic who has made more promises to get sober than blade can remember. Blade, the son of a famous, but notoriously addicted rock star, tries to find his way to adulthood. How kwame alexander hooks kids on poetry mother jones. Like kwame alexanders previous books, each character in solo have elements that you can relate to and see in the people you know.
Solo by kwame alexander, mary rand hess, paperback. It was also selected as an honor book for the coretta scott king award. Basically, we are in a golden age of poetry and i am here for that. Kwame alexander is an american poet, novelist, and educator perhaps best known for his newburymedalwinning novel for young people, the crossover. Quintin kwame alexander born december 7, 1990 is an american professional basketball player who last played for the rain or shine elasto painters of the philippine basketball association pba. Watch the fantastic kwame alexander read aloud from his book the undefeated, which remembers unforgettable, unafraid and unbowed, famous and overlooked figures from black history. Solo is a realistic fiction verse novel written by kwame alexander with mary rand hess. Blade never asked for a life of the rich and famous. Solo by kwame alexander, mary rand hess, paperback barnes. In solo, alexander and rand hess tell the story of blade morrison, the son of rock star and drug addict rutherford morrison, whose fame and addictions.
Solo the two old men she pulls out percival bell, age 22 jordan bell, age 23 joshua bell, age 37 family history phone message when granddaddy hollers phone call with cj memory the big game wink brings the ball playing by twos but wait down by one showcase the last shot game over resolve surprise july 2 new sneakers the fourth basketball rule. From awardwinning and new york times bestselling author kwame alexander, with mary rand hess, comes solo, a ya novel written in poetic verse. The 17yearold son of a troubled rock star is determined to find his own way. The story involves blades rock star dads addiction, the death of a parent by allergic reaction, the death of a child from disease, adoption and heritage, as well as typical teen comingofage issues of first love, identity, and. Author interview kwame alexander, author of solo bookpage. Solo by kwame alexander cumberland regional hs media center. The 2018 nea read across america ambassador, kwame is also the host and producer of the literary varietytalk show, bookish. During a call to his virginia home where he was resting before lighting out for ohio, texas and beyond, alexander says, when i won the newbery, i committed myself to being an. His other works include he said she said, a ya novel.
Nov 21, 2017 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. Bea 2017 arc add it to goodreads from awardwinning and new. Also, get your flippin party hats on, because april is national poetry month. Solo the two old men she pulls out percival bell, age 22 jordan bell, age 23 joshua bell, age 37 family history phone message when granddaddy hollers phone call with cj memory the big game wink brings the ball playing by twos. Lezlie evans who brought us together, owen tharrington who got his little sister hooked on kiss at age three, mike and becky york our. Kwame alexander born august 21, 1968 is an american writer of poetry and childrens fiction. Owen tharrington who got his little sister hooked on kiss at age three, mike and becky york our generous and patient writing retreat hosts, juanita britton who introduced us to ghana, and its beautiful people, and emefa ansah who exemplifies hope. Mar 23, 2020 watch the fantastic kwame alexander read aloud from his book the undefeated, which remembers unforgettable, unafraid and unbowed, famous and overlooked figures from black history. A howling wolf, a stalking tiger, a playful panda, a dancing bird pairing the beautiful photography of national geographic photographer joel sartore with the delicate poetry of newbery awardwinning author kwame alexander, this lush picture book celebrates the beauty, diversity, and fragility of the animal world. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices.
Kwame alexander is a poet and educator who has written 24 books for children of all ages. Solo by kwame alexander with mary rand hess have you. Jan, 2018 solo by kwame alexander blades father is a famous rock star but hes also an alcoholic who has made more promises to get sober than blade can remember. We here at kidlit tv are excited about kwame alexanders latest book solo blink, 2017. Celebrating our wild world in poetry and pictures, both coauthored with kwame alexander. Aug 01, 2017 kwame alexander kwame alexander is a poet, educator, and the new york times bestselling author of 28 books, including swing, solo, and rebound, the followup to his newbery medalwinning middle grade novel, the crossover. Kwame alexander aims to win readers who are at the age he. Kwame alexander has always been surrounded by books and reading.
Blade is a musician dealing with family issues and his fathers addiction problems. But i do appreciate coming of age books that are more about emotional maturity than about romance. From awardwinning and new york times and bestselling author kwame alexander, with mary rand hess, comes solo, a ya novel written in poetic verse. While most teens dream of the perks of celebrity, kwame alexander shows in solo that theres a very real downside as he also explores the growing pains every teen faces. This is a pg book, no actual sex happens, but there are situations were it is desired and attempted, but thwarted. This book is challenging to summarize without including spoiler, but heres my best shot. Solo tells the story of seventeenyearold blade morrison, who knows the life of a rock star isnt really about the glitz and glamour. Solo by kwame alexander with mary rand hess 2017 if your kids loved alexanders books but are growing up fast, solo, which will appeal to readers age fourteen and up, will fit the bill. Kwame alexander s verse is lovely, and blades poetic self is beautifully expressed. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
His verse novel the crossover won the 2015 newbery medal recognizing the years most distinguished contribution to american literature for children. One book ive been totally crushing on lately is kwame alexanders solo. Solo ya fiction kwame alexander mary rand hess music. In fact, hed give anything not to be the son of rutherford morrison, a washedup. Please note that the lexile measures for a small population of books have been recently updated. Set in the world of music, its main character blade morrison grows up in the shadow of his famous rock star father. Enhancements were made to more precisely measure materials read in k2 classrooms. Kwame alexander is a poet, educator, and new york times bestselling author of 21 books, including the crossover, which received the 2015 john. Why kwame alexanders solo is perfect for national poetry. Kwame alexander kwame alexander is a poet, educator, and the new york times bestselling author of 28 books, including swing, solo, and rebound, the followup to his newbery medalwinning middle grade novel, the crossover. The official music video for kwame alexanders the playbook with music by randy preston duration.
Nov 18, 2015 kwame alexander, winner of the 2015 newbery medal for his book the crossover, a middlegrade novel in verse. He goes to africa, a real country, and experiences normal things that other teenagers do as well. Solo tells the story of seventeenyearold blade morrison. Cue the confetti, cut the cake and get ready for some sweet stanzas.
Solo tells the story of seventeenyearold blade morrison, who life is bombarded with scathing tabloid covers and a. How kwame alexander hooks kids on poetry the newbery medalist pivots from basketball to rock for his latest comingof age novel. The experience that inspired poet kwame alexander to open a. I listened to this book, and was able to appreciate the authors words and the rhythms of the feelings of the characters. Solo kwame alexander page 19 read online free books. I have come to really enjoy his writing style and very much enjoyed this book.
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