Booked Graphic Novel

LoveReading4Kids Says

September 2022 Graphic Novel of the Month

Kwame Alexander’s stirring free-verse novel about a football-loving, book-hating boy dealing with life’s big challenges lends itself perfectly to the graphic novel format.

Brilliantly paired with illustrator  Dawud Anyabwile, this is an exhilarating read, with the super-charged text and images working in perfect harmony to engage the most reluctant of readers, especially as its main character discovers the magic and freedom to be had from books.

Twelve-year-old Nick is a whirl of energy, pumped by his love of football, but dragged down by living in a “prison of words” – his dad is a linguistics professor, and Nick does not share his love of language and books. Father-son conflict aside, Nick’s troubles escalate when he has to deal with bullies, a split in his family, and injury, but Mr Mac, a rapper turned-cool-school-librarian, helps Nick navigate the storm and find support from books. Fizzing with energy, empathy, emotion and a dash of romance, Booked is an authentic, inspirational delight.

Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen is a writer, reviewer and workshop presenter whose lifelong love of books began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
More reviews by Joanne Owen

About Booked Graphic Novel

Like lightning/you strike/fast and free/legs zoom/down field/eyes fixed/on the checkered ball/on the goal/ten yards to go/can't nobody stop you/can't nobody cop you...

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