Solo

Solo
Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess
Blink, 2017 457 pages
Grades 7-Up
Narrative Poetry

Alexander and Hess co-write a volume of narrative poetry which functions as both an entertaining story and a self-described love letter to music. Blade Morrison is the son of famous rock musician and notorious addict, Rutherford Morrison. His mother passed away from a freak accident years ago and now he is living a Hollywood lifestyle, constantly dodging paparazzi, partying and buying things. What matters the most to him is his girlfriend, Chapel, and playing and writing music. His style is softer than his rocker father and sister and he shuns their excessive and decadent lifestyle. After his father makes a horrible scene at his high school graduation and he dramatically loses his girlfriend Blade gets into a terrible fight with his sister, afterwhich it is revealed that he is adopted. After some sleuthing he discovers his birth mother’s whereabouts: in a small village in Ghana. Blade impulsively decides to hunt her her down and present himself, only Ghana is about as far away from Hollywood as you can get. Eventually Blade reaches the remote village, only to discover that his birth mother is even further afield. As he waits for her he befriends a beautiful young woman/teacher appropriately named Joy and a young orphan named Sia, who latches onto him. Blade's world has been turned upside down, yet more surprises await as he continues on his journey to discover who is is and what truly matters.

I had the opportunity to hear Kwame Alexander discuss his new book in person this year and his infectious passion and personal connection to the subject matter made me excited to read it.  I was not disappointed. At first I found the 457 pages daunting, but as with other novels made up of narrative poems, it reads very quickly. The plot of the book is fast and interesting. Even though this is a story of growth and change, it does not dwell on introspective narration. Instead, the plot moves along quickly, often conveyed in text messages, conversations, and song lyrics. Alexander and Hess frame the poems within the context of favorite songs, whose titles and artists are identified, encouraging the reader to check them out. Music was a driving force in my journey, as it obviously must also have been in the the authors and continues to be in the lives of many young people, who will relate to this connection. I actually read this story by listening to the audio, which was narrated by Alexander himself. Generally I prefer professional narrators and find authors better at constructing the words, not delivering them. In this case, Alexander reads his poetry in the way it was intended and I loved hearing his voice. As an added bonus, Blade's lyrics were put to music, adding a richer dimension to the audio book. I love that the authors deliver the message that we are so materialistically blessed in America, yet often morally bankrupt. Planning my own trip to Haiti in January, I felt a further connection to Blade's journey and am excited to experience a new culture and plan to approach it with a renewed sense of humbleness, curiosity, and respect.