Our students love anything by Kwame Alexander, so I know they are going to love this. Kwame Alexander is an author who should write even more books!

Although beautifully written (as all of Alexander's work is), Solo won't appeal to many of my readers, despite the verse format. Solo ends up being a fantastic look at verse novels and a great read for lovers of literature, but definitely a niche novel.

I LOVE Kwame Alexander's MG verse novels, despite having no interest in sports. I was really excited to read a YA verse novel from him. Unfortunately, this was kind of all over the place for me. I felt like the story could use some focusing and the verse didn't sing for me the way it usually does. I would still recommend it to readers looking for verse novels, because other readers might find points of connection with the story that I just didn't.

I just love Kwame Alexander's style. In his next novel in verse, out this summer, Blade is a teenager living in the shadow of his rock star dad and coping with the recent death of his mom. He has to learn how to get along with his dad, deal with family secrets, and find his place in the world.

Solo is a complex and layered look at a young boy, about to turn 18. His journey through the book takes him through challenges involving school, family, heritage, life, love and death. I am very eager to hear what students think about the questions the book raises. It is a book that will leave you thinking until the last verse. It's words deserve a few reads, as I suspect
I will find many gems that I missed the first time.

This was another winner by Kwame Alexander, but this time for young adult readers. A wonderful book filled with characters who the reader comes to know, love, and feel their "hearts" throughout the story. One of my favorite things about this book was that the ending left the reader with many questions that he needed to answer on his own; this means you are thinking about the book, long after the covers are closed. #arealbookthatleavesuthinking

Alexander does not disappoint with Solo. The story of a young man coming terms with love, loss, chaos, family and life in general, Solo walks you through Blade' s journey. The words, white space an titles all work together in a way that have you feeling and seeing each page. "We cry with colors that spill from our eyes." The story tells more than the words on the page. Phenomenal. Can't wait to share!

Kwame Alexander can reach into your soul through his heartfelt poetic verse. This story captured my interested and kept in to the very end.

Kudos Kwame.

Kwame Alexander has a thing, poem (or in this case lyric) packed books with particular appeal to teenage boys. That is such a wonderful thing! The boys at my school lap up his books, he writes sport so beautifully and he has such great things to say to his audience, thing like, you can be great even if you are not the greatest at this one thing, it is ok to show weakness, you don’t have to be That Guy all the time – you can be you and it will be fine.

This particular book is the story of a young man who has it all, he has money, he is loved, has talent and who is the son of one of the world’s most famous rockstars. He is about to graduate high school and it should be the beginning of fabulous new and exciting times at college, unfortunately the challenges in his life have become more than just annoying, his dad is living the rock and roll lifestyle to it’s extreme and has used every rehab available, his sister has made the most cringeworthy record and there is plenty more to deal with, but that is ok, life is still ok, isn’t it? Then love makes a fool of him and his poor hurt heart needs to heal. The next bombshell hits and he realises that there is healing to do that he can only do by himself. What he decides to do is brave and wild and will change his life forever.

It is a really good book, I liked it slightly less than The Crossover, but that was always going to be a hard act to follow. Kwame is awesome. Thank goodness for Kwame and for his making reading cool for some of the most non-readerly boys.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me access to this great book.

(I received an ARC of this book on NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

Solo is a great story in free verse about a young man trying to balance the toxic relationships in his life with his ambitions, love, and grief.

We are the sum of moving parts and adjustable hearts.

In addition to the rhythmic and captivating writing style, I enjoyed the storytelling and heart of this work. It is funny, honest, and thought-provoking.

Blade, as our protagonist, is so sure of himself and his goals, even when it’s clear to the reader that he’s being completely obtuse. It happens a few times that the reader is able to sympathize with Storm (Blade’s sister) AND love Blade, even though the two are disagreeing. This is masterful writing – Alexander has made us feel like a part of this family!

Every time Rutherford, Blade’s father, came on screen, I was able to feel the same stuck feeling as Blade. I could deeply relate, since Rutherford reminded me so sharply of my own grieving, addict father who is eager-to-please, yet deeply selfish and deluded. At other times, when Rutherford was kind or caring, I steeled myself (as Blade did) for the next heartbreak. Reading about this character was a really visceral experience for me.

All in all, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to students or friends, and I will definitely seek out the rest of Alexander’s books now.

Basically anything by Kwame Alexander is going to be a hit in my library and this book is no exception. You really feel the struggles Blade is dealing with in his family and relationship throughout this book. Solo is an interesting follow up to Crossover and Booked.

What a powerful book. I love all of Kwame Alexander's books. They have a unique way of teaching life lessons. This book shows the power of family, friendship, loss, love and belonging.

I really love Kwame's books. They are so easy to relate to for kids and adults, especially reluctant readers. I live in a rural community, so the kids don't check them out as much in my public library, but they are checked out a lot in the school one. His recent books have all been middle grade, but this newest is young adult for sure! I really, really hate to say this, but this book was just okay for me. I feel like it needed to be more focused on one specific thing instead of about three to four different things. Seriously, he had me at music, especially since it is the type of music I really enjoy, and I am fascinated by rockers who have lavish lifestyles...BUT...I am concerned that the teens are not going to relate to the music. If the teen is a music buff, it will be okay, but the others will be put off by it. This book is also more far-fetched than his others. If it had just focused on the relationship with the dad, I would have really enjoyed it. Even if it had focused on his girlfriend, or going to college, I would have liked it...BUT...the other part of the story a world away was too much for me. It was just too much going on for me to really like it. All of that being said, I think it will be very popular. It might be more popular with a specific group of teens, but I'm sure it will be read by a lot of people.

Unique and beautiful prose, the story is heart wrenching and tender all at once.

I have read several Kwame Alexander books and have loved them. Solo though was not for me. Some people I'm sure will love this book. Written in Kwame's typical style (which I DO like) will make this popular. Definitely not a book for the elementary library. I see this more in high schools.

Ever heard
the sound of goodbye?
The way a door closes.
The way a deer looks.
The way a busted bird sings.
The ending of the world.
The wailing of a hollowed heart.
.
Had the privilege of reading @kwamealexander's upcoming poetic novel, Solo, this evening. It follows the story of Blade Morisson, the soulful seventeen-year-old son of an out of control, rockstar junkie. After a series of embarrassing and heart breaking events and one life-altering revelation, Blade travels to Ghana to find out who he really is and where he belongs. While there, he meets people who help him heal and mend the relationship with his father. Written in Alexander's masterful verses, Solo is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. I cannot wait to buy a hard copy for my #classroomlibrary ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️