A fun and very “bookish” graphic novel that not only talked about soccer, but included great book recommendations and some blackout poetry. Thanks again to NetGalley and Etch/HMH Books for Young Readers for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for feedback.

This book is about a young boy, named Nick, who loves playing soccer, but doesn’t love that his parents are dealing with issues at home. His father loves words and makes Nick read a dictionary, so a lot of new and interesting words end up in this graphic novel (including their definition, which is helpful). Nick is also dealing with bullies, so with the help from friends (and his crush), he learns how the power of words can help him down the road. I also really enjoyed the fact that this book offered some book recommendations that I didn’t know anything about, so they are on my to-read list. Not only that, but this book even had some pages of blackout poetry included (which I LOVE), so that was an extra delight!

Another great book turned into a graphic novel. Booked tells the story of an 8th grader, Nick, as he navigates school and family drama.

This is a fantastic Graphic Novel adaptation of Kwame's Booked. This is going to be a hit with fans of the other books in the Kwame Alexander collection. I love the inclusion of words and definitions throughout the story. The topic is very timely as the main character struggles with his parent's separation and he is also dealing with a couple of bullies at school. The characters are very likable and realistic. I think this is an all-around win.

The Graphic novel adaptation of this book is wonderful. I teach students who have been disinterested in reading for a while. Graphic novels really help to ignite their passion again. This one is no exception. Kwame Alexander is fabulous with words. Students will love this book.

Kwame Alexander is an incredible author. I love graphic novel versions of chapter books and this one is even better because it's the graphic novel version of a novel in verse. His other graphic novel interpretation of his novel in verse was wonderful and hooked so many of my readers and I know this one will do the same. The story is relatable by all kids. The lessons learned are essential for all kids. I'm so excited to get this book for my classroom!
I received a copy of #BookedGraphicNovel from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've loved this book since it was first published! Even though I am not the biggest GN fan, I know it will draw in readers that are!

Kwanzaa Alexander is a talented writer and this story is i exception. This adaptation of his earlier work into a graphic novel, that deals with themes and situations my students relate to. Can’t wait to get copies of this to my students.

I absolutely love they are turning these stories into graphic novels. We have so many Booked, and Kwame fans in general. This will NOT stay on my shelf once it's there!

Stellar! Another amazing book by Kwame Alexander. His love of words and language is especially clear in this story. The bold, powerful images go perfectly with the text. What a delight!

Thanks to the publisher of this book and NetGalley for an advance view of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

I can't keep the novels in verse by Kwame Alexander on the shelves at my school libraries and I will never have enough copies to feel like I should be the one reading them. (They're for the kids!)

So, when I saw this opportunity to read something by Mr. Alexander, I took it. I'm truly glad I did. I think my students will love the references to books that they have read, people they should know and vocabulary they haven't heard before.

Interestingly, I always thought that authors who used references to popular cultural items would date their books and they would become less popular as time moves on. I think seeing these titles gives them what some might call "street cred" and will increase their circulation for many years to come. I'm gonna need to get more copies of each book mentioned.

A graphic novel that students will love! Kwame Alexander writes for kids. He understands their likes and dislikes.

Yes. Just yes.
I have recommended Kwame Alexand'ers books to my students for YEARS. They're perfect for that kid who is reluctant and only wants to read about sports but has read all the nonfiction sports/athletes books. It is honestly because of his stories that I have gotten some of my more reluctant readers to read. That being said, I was so excited to see the graphic novel version because many of those reluctant readers are reluctant because their reading levels are not that high. This allows them to read books that their peers might be reading without having to struggle. The story itself is simply (as the kids say) *chef's kiss.* It deals with so many tough topics and does so in a way that is relatable to kids without being blatantly lesson-heavy. I cannot recommend Kwame Alexander's books enough, graphic novels enough, and this enough. I will buy a copy for my library when it comes out. Thank you!

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publishers for the #BookedGraphicNovel ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel version of Booked by Kwame Alexander with illustrations by Dawud Anyabwile.

Football mad Nick is a relatable protagonist and the book sensitively deals with his parents' separation, bullying and navigating the ups and downs of school life. I particularly love the way words are played with, how challenging vocabulary is cleverly woven into the story and how a range of books are introduced to young readers.

The dynamic illustrations and the text/layout add a different dimension to the story and make this free verse novel even more accessible. I can see this really engaging reluctant readers.

Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group and #Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of the graphic novel Booked by Kwame Alexander. All opinions are my own.

Nick loves soccer and hates book. His hatred is amplified by his father's love of words and the fact that Nick is required to read a dictionary written by his father. His life gets more complicated when his parents separate and his mom leaves Nick with his father while she goes to work in another state. At school, Nick has trouble with bullies and girls.

I loved the original novel-in-verse version of Booked and the graphic novelization did not disappoint me. My students love the lyrical style and the pacing of the book. Even my most reluctant readers become absolutely captivated by Alexander's books. I love that Booked covers important themes related to family, divorce, bullying, and relationships. The illustrations in the graphic novel really bring the story to life and enhance the messages and emotions. This book is perfect for upper elementary and middle school libraries.

I was so excited to see that Booked had been turned into a graphic novel. My students have loved all of Kwame Alexander's books and I know this one will be no exception. Booked is the story of Nick Hall, an eighth grader, who loves nothing more than soccer. He's an only child with a dad who is a wordsmith and requires him to read his dictionary of weird words everyday. Nick and his best friend, Coby would be content doing nothing more than playing soccer on the pitch and in video games but Nick's parents don't make it easy on him. There is also the situation with April, Nick's object of affection. Booked deals with a variety of topics from divorce to bullying to therapy to trying to figure out your place in the world. The illustrations are amazing and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. Every upper elementary and middle school classroom needs this book in their library.

Kwame Alexander brings a new flair for young readers that engages and delights. This novel told in verse graphic novel will be sure to grab a reluctant reader's eye and keep them reading.

The graphic novel adaptation of Booked. This follows Nick who learns about the power of words as he deals with his problems. The sport focused on in Booked is soccer.

Just like with Crossover this is more of an illustrated novel than a traditional comic. There aren't really panels, but the art is great. It enhances the story so much.

The lettering changes size and style so even though all of the words from the novel are there it doesn't feel like you are reading a traditional novel because there is so much on the page that adds to the story. I love the color choices of black and white with green accents. It makes everything stand out.

My students already love Booked, this version is going to have them even more excited. I have already let our school librarian know that they will need to carry this in the school's library.

Creative Team:
Written by Kwame Alexander
Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile

This is a great graphic novel. I loved the original book in verse and this does a great job telling the same story in a different format.

The text and illustrated versions of BOOKED are perfectly matched to draw in struggling and reluctant readers, and second language learners. The illustrations leap off the page bringing the characters and words to life. I can't wait to add copies of this book on my classroom shelves.

Thank you NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for the e-arc.

I finished this graphic novel in one sitting. I really enjoyed the characters. I wish Nick had stood up for his friend, Coby, at some point over the course of the novel. I'm used to interrupted poem breaks in books in verse but not in graphic novels, so that took me a moment to get used to. The minimalist drawings showed the action while letting the reader's imagination fill in some of the details. A lot of my students are fans of Alexander's original version and graphic novels, so they're sure to love this. Students will also find something to relate to with everything that Nick is going through.