BOOKED: an inspiring gift for readers

Kwame Alexander's new book, BOOKED, is a reminder of the power of verse. It's a beautiful entry point for reluctant readers, an amazing look at the power of words, and an inspiring gift for readers.

Twelve-year-old Nick Hall has a passion for soccer, but is less enthusiastic about reading. However, BOOKED will nudge even the most reluctant reader to take a second look at words, language, other novels, and pop culture.

I loved the footnotes: malapropism, the amusing and ludicrous misuse of a word, especially by confusion with one of a similar sound. Here's an example: my English teacher, Ms. Hardwick, is a wolf in cheap clothing.

And...

Ms. Hardwick's Honors English class
is one boring
required read
after another.
So you've become a pro
at daydreaming
while pretend-listening.

Huckleberry Finn-ished
Great discussion today, class.
I'm sure you all see why
Mark Twain is one
of our greatest literary
treasures, Ms. Hardwick says.

With only five minutes left in class,
it's probable she's forgotten
the assignment
she gave you,
which means
you're off the hook.

Tomorrow, we will begin
another classic
of children's literature.
One of my favorites,
Tuck Everlasting.

And your laughter gushes
like an open fire hydrant
'cause you could have sworn
You heard an F,
Instead of T.



Limerence
She says,
from the French word limier.
I can tell you what it means right now, Ms. Hardwick.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Go right ahead, Winnifred.

Limerence is
the experience of being in love with someone,
commonly known as a crush,
but not any old crush.
A. Major. Crush.

NICHOLAS B. HALL
BELOVED SON. BEST FRIEND. SOCCER STAR.
2003-2016
DIED OF ONOMATOPHOBIA.*
MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
*onomatophobia: fear of hearing a certain word. DEAD!!!!


Your Suggestion
Can we please choose
a book with a boy this time -
Weren't you listening? Winey interrupts. It is about
a boy.

Preferably in this time period, you continue.
I need a break from history, I'm just sayin'.
Like what? Winnifred whines.

Like Peace, Locomotion,
an epistolary novel, which
means a -

I KNOW WHAT EPISTOLARY MEANS, she shouts,
still frowning. IT'S A BOOK WRITTEN IN LETTERS.
Great choice, April says, and winks

at you.


Get this book for all the readers and non readers you know. Get it in the hands of sports lovers, word lovers, and librarian lovers. This book will spread the idea... don't be afraid to show your intelligence.