Solo

Betrayed by those closest to him and stunned by a family secret, 17-year-old Blade Morrison flees his comfortable but chaotic life as the son of a drug-addicted rock star. Seeking answers and closure, Blade travels to the Ghanaian village of Konko, where he gains new perspective on family and belonging. Writing in free verse, Alexander and Hess, who recently collaborated on Animal Ark, strongly communicate Blade's frustration and disappointment ("I have taken for granted/ the palm trees of Cali... planted by Spanish missionaries/ in the 18th century.... They don't belong here./ And neither do I"). Lyrics from Blade's songs (and interspersed references to songs from Lenny Kravitz, Metallica, and others) emphasize the importance of music in his life, both as a link to his family and as a way to express himself. Blade's interactions with his father, a Ghanaian young woman named Joy, and a child named Sia are especially poignant, so much so that these secondary characters can draw focus. But many readers will identify with Blade's struggle to find his place in a family where he feels like an outsider. -- PW * Publishers Weekly *
'Hand to music lovers, reluctant readers, fans of spoken word poetry, those who appreciate Alexander's work, or anyone seeking a tale of self-discovery.' * School Library Journal *
'From the lyric verse to the driving beat of the storytelling, this book is music, and beautiful music.' * Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of The You I've Never Known *
'A rhythmic, impassioned ode to family, identity, and the history of rock and roll.' * Booklist, starred review *
'A contemporary hero's journey, brilliantly told.' * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *
'A gorgeously lyrical and passionate meditation on family and identity. Solo is Kwame Alexander at his finest.' * Nicola Yoon, New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything *