Knowing Kwame Alexander's reputation but not having read any previously, I'm glad I started here; if you're already a fan you won't be disappointed. Blade's artistic and family and interpersonal dramas are evocative and palpable. I really enjoyed this new spin on the old "finding oneself" trope, and this story helped shed a few of the expectations attached to it. I'd recommend for just about any reader, but especially fans of Ellen Hopkins, Jandy Nelson and Robyn Schneider.

Novels written in verse are a sure fire way to get all kids, especially reluctant readers to read and enjoy poetry. Kwame has a way with words, his words and stories strike a cord with so many kids today. His storytelling is one of a kind. Kwame Alexander is a writer you want to have on your library shelves. His work is relative and brilliant. He is a much needed voice in YA.

Review link will be live on blog July 25, 2017

So glad that Kwame Alexander is continuing to write novels-in-verse, and now for slightly older readers! I've already put this on the syllabus for the fall semester section of my young-adult literature class. Required reading, for sure!

Very different from The Crossover and Booked. Blade, this book's protagonist, seems to have it all: son of rock 'n roll royalty, money, a bright future ahead. When the book begins we see him struggling to understand his father's alcoholism, his mother's death, his sister's coping mechanisms, and his relationship with Chapel, his girlfriend and the love of his life. Blade soon realized that his life's foundation is really a house of cards and he decides to embark on a journey of discovery to see who he really is without the people that have surrounded him his whole life.

Solo is another masterful novel by Kwame Alexander. In his beautiful poetic voice he tells the story of a young man questioning his life. Heartfelt and fun read for young adults!

Thank you NetGalley for sharing this beautiful story with me. As soon as I knew it was written by Kwame Alexander, I knew it would be a hit. I love the way he has woven musical lyrics into the story. Boys and girls will relate to the honesty and raw emotions present in this story. Thank you Kwame for touching us with your gifts of storytelling.

Blade Morrison is a smart young man who has experienced love and loss in his young life. He lost his mother and his rock and roller father is addicted to drugs and alcohol. When Blade learns a family secret about himself and when he suffers another loss, he decides to go on a journey that can possibly change his life the lives of those around him. #SoloBook is about love and growth and acceptance and change. It another Kwame Alexander masterpiece, written in verse, with music included. I am thankful to Netgalley for the opportunity to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Review based on a digital ARC provided by Netgalley.

Blade Morrison is having a crisis. He is graduating from high school near the top of his class, he has a girlfriend that he loves, he is planning on college in the fall and he crafts and plays beautiful love songs on the guitar, but these are just the surface details of a life in turmoil. Told through verse, with tracks from famous rock songs as section headings, this story delves into the very personal life below the surface. A famous rock star father dealing with addiction, trouble with the aforementioned girlfriend, and a devastatingly revealed secret, all drive Blade to take a journey to Africa to learn more about himself.

The novel in verse format gives weight to the words, each chosen carefully to reflect the feelings and thoughts of Blade as he moves through the story. Blade’s character is well developed and sympathetic. He does not react in a perfect way to the situations he finds himself in, but his reactions are natural and realistic.

I wish the character of Chapel were delved into a little more deeply, as it is difficult to tell why Blade loves her so much. And while it is obvious where Blade’s father’s pain comes from, near the end of the book, an event occurs that I wonder how he will deal with in the long run. However, this is not a story about his father or about Chapel. It is a story about Blade, his journey and his acceptance of himself and the things that have happened in his life.

I like how the story ended. There was no neat resolution, no perfect ending, as there never is in life. The ending was filled with possibilities – hopeful, yet unsure. The situation that Blade finds himself facing at the end of the book merits this sort of ending.

Kwame Alexander does it again! Solo is another homerun of engaging story, lyrical language, and powerful theme. Middle grade to young adult readers will stay with this one to the last page. I can't wait to listen to the playlist!

Music lovers. Star gazers. World Savers. Rock and Roll Rebels. Heart-break and Sorrow, Addiction and Adoption. Love and Redemption. Beginnings and Endings. These are the subjects and themes of Kwame Alexander's astonishingly beautiful new release, Solo. Prepare for a rhythm that will reverberate in your soul long after you turn the last page. This THE story that you want your son or daughter to read. ARC via Netgalley - Lisa Brennan, Middle School Librarian @noveltalk

Beautifully crafted. I loved the musicality and range of emotions explored.

I enjoyed this one! Story of a troubled celebrity's child finding our secrets about his past and then heading to Ghana to find answers. Part of why I enjoyed this so much had to do with the form - novels written as free verse poetry are newer to me but I am enjoying them!

It is a good thing I was on an airplane when I started Solo! If I had been at home, with the many interuptions of daily life to keep me from reading in one sitting, I would have been frustrated. Following Blade as he worked through his troubled relationship with his father was riviting. Thank you Kwame!

This is not the Kwame Alexander I am used to reading, but it was still just as wonderful as the others! The verse that follows the story of Blade is amazingly beautiful and the "chapter" breaks or immensely clever!

This book makes me want to go out and read Mary Hess' work since I am unfamiliar.

Book written in prose poems, about Blade, the teen guitarist son of a self-destructive musician. About love, friendships, ambition and defining yourself as different from your parent and sibling.

The book takes a deeper turn, gaining perspective when Blade travels to find out more about himself. A warm book, flowing with uncontrollable emotions, for teens.

This novel in verse features seventeen-year-old Blade Morrison, son of rock and roller Rutherford Morrison. He lives in Hollywood and seems to have the whole celebrity lifestyle except since his mother died Blade feels separated from his father who has substance abuse problems and his sister Storm who is trying to follow in their father’s footsteps in the music industry. Blade also plays guitar and writes music but he has no desire to join the family business. When his father crashes into the stage at his graduation where he was about to give the salutatory address, it is the last straw for him. His only solace is his girlfriend, Chapel. When her parents forbid her from seeing him and Blade finds her with her ex, Van DeWish, he feels like his world has ended. Then he learns something explosive about his family and goes on a journey to Africa to find out who he is. Alexander weaves song titles and lyrics into the text to tell Blade’s story to sweet effect. Fans of verse novels and coming of age tales will enjoy this title.

Kwame Alexander's first YA novel blends his style of novels in verse with teenage angst and a journey of self-discovery. Blade Morrison is salutatorian at his high school, all set to head off to college in the fall. He plans to do that with his girlfriend Chapel, although her parents have forbidden them to see each other. The reason? Blade's father is a rock star who is frequently in and out of rehab and the tabloid headlines. When his father publicly embarrasses him once again, Blade sets off to find his roots. So he heads from Hollywood to Ghana.

The story unfolds through a mix of song lyrics Blade writes, texts between the characters (Blade, Chapel, Blade's sister and father), and poetic narrative stretches. Along with the usual teenage search for identity and independence, the story also deals with themes of betrayal, loss, love, forgiveness, celebrity lifestyles, and what makes a family.

Although it has such meaningful content, it is a quick read due to the way the verse carries you along. Meant for YA and too mature for younger readers, Solo is another masterpiece by Alexander. Readers who are music buffs will enjoy the references to musicians and particular songs that are scattered throughout the book. (They may also wince over the fate of a certain Eddie Van Halen Frankenstrat.)

Finally! A young adult novel written by the venerable Kwame Alexander! For all of his fans, you will not be disappointed. To those readers who aren't yet familiar with Mr. Alexander's work, congratulations, you have a new favorite author!

This novel introduces us to Blade, the youngest child of a burnt-out rock musician. Blade's mother died when he was young, and the family has never recuperated from their loss. Blade's dad has retreated into drugs and alcohol, Blade's sister tries to be the matriarch, and Blade throws himself into his guitar and his relationship with his girlfriend, Chapel.

But when Chapel isn't there for him, and he discovers a somber family secret, his life turns even more upside down. Written in verse, Solo follows Blade's journey to self discovery, friendship and family.

Solo is a young adult novel that will appeal to students of all ages. This is definitely going in my middle school library, and I will recommend it to readers of all ages!

Kwame Alexander does it again! I love the way he and Mary Rand Hess uses poetry to reach into the hearts of his characters. There is something so authentic about the voices of the characters and the emotions that sparse verse can reveal. This is a book that, though it is a quick read, will leave you thinking and pondering for days.