#BookReview: Solo by @kwamealexander Mary Rand Hess #Giveaway

  From award-winning 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 seventeen-year-old Blade Morrison, whose life is bombarded with scathing tabloids and a father struggling with just about every addiction under the sun—including a desperate desire to make a comeback. Haunted by memories of his mother and his family’s ruin, Blade’s only hope is in the forbidden love of his girlfriend. But when he discovers a deeply protected family secret, Blade sets out on a journey across the globe that will change everything he thought to be true. With his signature intricacy, intimacy, and poetic style, Kwame Alexander explores what it means to finally come home.

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and New York Times bestselling author of 24 books, including THE CROSSOVER, which received the 2015 John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American literature for Children. Kwame writes for children of all ages. His other works include HE SAID SHE SAID, a YA novel; BOOKED, a middle grade novel; and several picture books, including SURF’S UP, ANIMAL ARK, and OUT OF WONDER. Kwame believes that poetry can change the world, and he uses it to inspire and empower young people through his non-fiction debut, THE PLAYBOOK, and his PAGE TO STAGE Writing and Publishing Program. 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.). 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.

Mary Rand Hess has been writing and editing professionally for over twenty years. She writes everything from poetry, novels, and picture books, to screenplays and teleplays. Her work has been published in several regional, national, and international publications. In addition, she has had the privilege of running an independent publishing company, while working with award-winning, high profile figures in the literary, sports, and entertainment industries. She is the co-author of the picture book, ANIMAL ARK (National Geographic), with Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido. She is also the author of THE DAY I MET THE NUTS, and the GABE AND FRIENDS series. Over the years, Mary has been a Stephen Minister, and has taught creative writing, drama, art, and Sunday school. In her spare time, she loves to compose on the piano, listen to copious amounts of music, read, create mixed media art, and spend time with family and friends. She can't imagine a world without stories, poetry, and rock and roll.

Well, I need to learn to read it seems. When I grabbed this one for review, I didn't read all of it.  I didn't see where it said this book was in poetic style.  Go me!  Well, I am kinda glad I didn't see that this was written like that. For the simple fact, I would have run for the hills.  This book written in poetic format was pretty good. It's the first book I've read and finished in this way.  This one although it is written that way was absorbing. Each page flows off the page, is easy to understand, and gives you a story that is both song and a journey to find yourself.  I'm not sure how to review this for the characters, but Blade from what I got from reading the pages sounded pretty well formed. This wasn't a really fast read, but the pacing was splendid.  Parts of it actually sounded like it needed some music in the background and others just sounded so deeply written that I couldn't put it down.  

 Go Into This One Knowing 

Book is in Poetic style

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Posted in: 4 Stars, Giveaway, HarperCollins, Review, Young Adult