I read this a while ago. Another good novel in verse by Alexander, of course! I always enjoy his writing style.

Sounded like a good concept but I just wasn't a massive fan fo the writing style, and I couldn't really get past all of the painful character names.

One of the best verse novels I've read. Strong character building and development along with a plot that keeps the reader interested. While the physical book is wonderful the audiobook is extremely well-done with musical accompaniments.

This played really well as an audiobook. I had mixed feelings about the characters and the storyline. I found it hard to connect to them.

Kwame Alexander once again shows his talent! I can always confidently recommend his books to YA readers and teachers.

Another hit for Kwame Alexander, who keeps the books in verse coming to his huge fandom. This book had real themes and characters that draw the reader in. For a large book, it was a very quick and enjoyable read.

Thank you to Kwame Alexander, Mary Rand Hess, Blink Publishers, and NetGalley for this free honest reviewer copy of "Solo."

I was absolutely sold from go about this new Young Adult novel being written entirely in poetry and music. This novel was powerful in its impact and incredibly needed in a world where poetry is seen increasingly as an esoteric language but where song (which is poetry set music) is the reigning king, that no one sees the earlier shadow and shining crown of.

This whole novel was heart felt, painful, perfect and I hope that the author writes many, many more like this.

Another fantastic read by Alexander, this one more YA and in prose format. It will fly off the shelves.

I realize that Solo is about music, but the silhouette on the cover, to me, looks like the main character is about to take off running - not perform on stage. I think he needs a microphone in his right hand. Or the guitar needs to be a silhouette, too.

Anyway.

I enjoyed Solo once I figured out that it was NOT about a runner. Before that, I was just confused. Blade, the main character, has challenges in his life that make for an interesting story. Teens will empathize and be swept up in the story. Also, I liked how music was tied in to the poetry. It was genius and a great way to get younger people interested in poetry. Wonderful!

Blade’s father is the over-the-hill rock star Rutherford Morrison. The fading celebrity is a druggie who is flamboyant and also gifted. Rehab has repeatedly failed and his antics trouble Blade, especially when he humiliates his son in front of all his friends. During a family argument Blade learns a secret which prompts him to travel to Ghana. There he meets people who are committed to doing good and children who capture his heart. But will he find the answers he seeks?

Alexander is a talented writer and this is another moving story. It isn’t as strong as some of his earlier novels but the African setting is touching to the characters and readers alike. Rutherford is more than a caricature and Blade is a sensitive soul. His girlfriend Chapel’s family has banned their dating because of the taint of Blade’s father’s behavior. He feels isolated and questions everything in his life. The musical talent of both the father and the son brings a lyrical quality to the story. This is a fast read that shines with its humanity.

Simply astounding; from K.A., I would expect nothing less.

Great new work by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess. Blade, son of a famous aging rocker who can’t seem to stay sober or clean, finds out a long held family secret and decides to find truth by going to Ghana. There he finds many people in the village of Konko that help him heal, Joy and Sia, are the most featured. Blade finds out about himself and tries to find the music within him.
Beautiful words, the story picked up nice he went to Africa. I imagined a past Steven Tyler as his rocker father, no for his physical traits but for the rocker persona. He was an interesting character throughout the book. It would’ve been interesting to listen via audio on how Blade’s songs were read/sung

Beautiful book. Kwame Alexander can do no wrong. I think this may be my favorite of his books yet.

Once again, Newbery winner Kwame Alexander hits it out of the ballpark with this beautifully written, poignant, soulful tale of a rock star's teenage son. Alexander's co-author, Mary Rand Hess, helps bring this tale about 17 year old Blade to life. Blade tries to stay out of the limelight, and the ever-present shadow of his larger than life father. All Blade want to do is be with his girl, Chapel, and play music. Unfortunately, Blade has to endure loss, a broken heart, and a trip around the world in order to receive all the gifts the universe has to offer him. This coming of age story will touch every reader's heart and soul.

This story was just okay for me. I couldn't really connect to any of the characters, which made it harder for me to enjoy it. So, while I don't have any complaints about the book, it just wasn't for me.

Solo was such an enjoyable read. The poetic writing makes the story very powerful. We follow Blade who goes on a crazy ride.(I don't want to say too much it's better if you go in without knowing much.) This book flies by that I felt I didn't get enough, I wanted more.

I love how much music plays into this book. The rock and roll dances between these pages. Music is a powerful thing, and in this book, it shows the many sides to music and its world.

A family is a huge part of this book. - I've been reading more and more books with family themes. - This book shows that not all families are perfect and that families come in different spaces and sizes.

Overall, if you like verses, music and family-themed stories, then pick up this book.

Solo is a great book in verse. I'd recommend the audio as it is read by the author and the songs are put to music. I made a trailer for it and posted it on my book blog.

I'm not usually a fan of novels in verse, but with Kwame Alexander's name on it, I knew I had to read it. And I'm glad I did. The poems were so much more in-depth than I expected and it talked about some heavier topics that I didn't expect as well.
The number one best thing about this book is the music that's incorporated. Since I saw it was about music, I waited until it was released to get the audio version. It was definitely worth the wait. I was able to hear the singing and the different voices that the narrator used. I loved that the songs were actually sung and sung well. It was a great listening experience and I encourage people to try the audio version of this book.
As far as the story, it was a bit choppy and I didn't completely connect with the main character, but I think that's the price one pays for reading/listening to a novel in verse. But for the most part, I loved the message and identified with that more than anything. I haven't read many YA about books about adoption, but I'm glad to see more of them are appearing.
This book was a pleasant surprise. I'm not sure why I waited so long to read a book by Alexander, but I can assure you this will not be my last.

Summary (from Goodreads):

Solo, a YA novel in poetic verse, 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.



My Thoughts:

Let me just say that I loved everything about this book – the cover, the characters, the mode of writing.

Blade is a character that many readers will find pieces of themselves. He is full of so much heart, so much hope, with sprinkles of sadness. His character reminds me of the journey we are all on, a journey to find out who we are and what we bring to the world. He is looking for meaning. That’s not too much to ask, right?

As I read this book, I felt Blade down in my soul. It’s not a feeling easy to describe, but there were many moments where I felt so connected to him as a character that it changed my interaction with the text.

The development of the characters is spot on. We are learning about Blade – who he is, where he comes from, what those things mean to him – but the other characters stay in the background. This is important for Blade and his story; the focus is right where it needs to be at all times. It keeps the story moving.

With every choice of word, Alexander is moving the story forward. Some books can get bogged down in too many details and too many characters. The choice of poetic verse for this story was the right choice because it allows the flow of the story to mirror what is most important to Blade (and to his family)—music.

This is a melody on the page.

His journey of self-discovery and making peace with himself after a family secret was revealed was the most powerful part of the story for me.

This was a book that I closed and hugged and said, “Wow. That was awesome. The kids are going to love it.”

As soon as this book hit the book store shelf, I purchased a copy for the library, and it hasn’t remained on the shelf since I catalogued it.

The right book at the right time is powerful to teens, and Solo will be that book for so many.

Add it to your TBR pile if you haven’t already.

Happy Reading!

- The Hodgenator