I have never read a book quite like this one. Set in the 90s, a family goes through the hardships brought on by the professional football playing dad's football injury. It's not an injury you can see however, it is what we now know as CTE. More and more of us continue to learn about how detrimental to the brain football and concussions can be, but I felt the frustration of this family lift off the page as they battled with this unknown at the time illness.

As always, I love Jacqueline's way with words and how she uses free verse to place importance upon different parts of the story. I can't wait to share this with students.

Wow, what can I say as far as Jacqueline Woodson’s forthcoming middle grade novel that will get across just how incredible it is? Because I had to sit and hold it for awhile last night when I finished it, because I could so deeply feel the confusion and longing from ZJ, because I could feel the love surrounding him from his friends, because I knew as a reader what was happening to his dad and how devastating it is, and yet, this book is about love, family, hope, football, and everything else that fills in the gaps of what becomes our lives. I think this will be a must read in my classroom this year, this is perfect for so many ages. One of the best books of the year, preorder now #pernillerecommends

This was a quick read that I really enjoyed.
Told in Jacqueline Woodson's signature verse, I loved the writing style.
You can't help but get emotionally invested in ZJ and his family. Around the turn of the 21st century, ZJ's is a football player that begins to exhibit symptoms of what we now know as CTE. Not that we have all the answers now, but at that time it was even more of a devastating mystery. Needless to say it has a life-changing impact on the family.

This book reminded me of The Crossover by Kwame Alexander - the aging athlete with an injury although this injury was a brain injury. I do love to read Jacqueline Woodson's writing. She has such a way with words. After listening to her read aloud Brown Girl Dreaming, I heard her voice as I read this book.

I'm not sure that this book will be all that appealing to kids as there is not a lot of story. It seemed to me more of a reflection piece, ZJ looking back at his dad and what happened to him as he broke. I would have liked more about the main character, ZJ and his buddies, perhaps putting them in a different setting such as school. I could see this being a great book for parents to read with their children, especially parents who do not want their children playing tackle football. I could see this being a good discussion book for a teacher to read aloud with a class and then they could discuss concussions. It could also be a springboard for a teacher to then assign research on CTE and research on the human brain.

When I was only a few pages in, I realized I was already marking several passages in which the wording so beautifully rang true and this is characteristic of Woodson’s writing in general. This was a book, like many of hers, that I just couldn’t put down! The combination of football and music will draw in a lot of readers. Seeing the experience of this particular character and his family, in regards to CTE before much was known about it, was interesting and thought provoking. I loved seeing the relationship between father and son. I loved the friendship between the “Fabulous Four” boys. Definitely one I will add to my school library collection.

It's hard not to love anything written by Jacqueline Woodson and Before the Ever After is no different. Woodson lyrically depict the impact of a father's illness on his son. ZJ's father, a football legend, suffers from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy brought on by multiple concussions over the course of his career. This disease brings on chronic migraines, unpredictable behavior and memory loss. ZJ has to navigate the process of saying goodbye while an individual is still physically present.

This book beautifully portrays the importance of presence in parental relationships. ZJ's father, despite his fame and demanding career is fully present, not just physically, but emotionally. He conveys the importance of being passionate about things and supports ZJ's efforts to find those that are his own. This allows ZJ enough distance to contemplate the cost of violent sports in his own life and to others around him.

This story also models positive friendships. Just as ZJ's father sees his son's unique capabilities and strengths, ZJ sees the unique strengths and capabilities of his friends. While his father's illness impacts these friendships, Woodson demonstrates how to move beyond the fear to support those you love.

This is not a happy book, but it is a meaningful one.

I was given this ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Jacqueline Woodson has done it again. She crafted this incredibly poignant story chronicling a family’s struggles when the professional football player father suffers from traumatic brain injuries. This book offers so many rich opportunities for discussion and writing. I’d loved to be in the room when a group of tween football fans talk about this book. Woodson can do no wrong.

To everyone else, he was the great American football player, but to ZJ, he was just dad. But he’s not really the dad ZJ has always known anymore. Set in 1999-2000, this novel explores how CTE effects more than just the player. Jacqueline Woodson does it again! Pick it up on September 1! #BeforetheEverAfter #NetGalley