Before the Ever After
By:
For as long as ZJ can remember, his dad has been everyone’s hero. As a charming, talented pro football star, he’s as beloved to the neighborhood kids he plays with as he is to his millions of adoring sports fans. But lately life at ZJ’s house is anything but charming. His dad is having trouble remembering things and seems to be angry all the time. ZJ’s mom explains it’s because of all the head injuries his dad sustained during his career. ZJ can understand that—but it doesn’t make the sting any less real when his own father forgets his name. As ZJ contemplates his new reality, he has to figure out how to hold on tight to family traditions and recollections of the glory days, all the while wondering what their past amounts to if his father can’t remember it. And most importantly, can those happy feelings ever be reclaimed when they are all so busy aching for the past?
Author’s note.
ISBN: 9780399545436
JLG Release: Dec 2020
Sensitive Areas:
None
Topics:
Novels in verse
, Brain diseases
, Best friends
, Friendship
, Fathers and sons
, Memory
, Football
, Concussions
, African Americans
, Family life
Awards & Honors
2021 Coretta Scott King Author Award
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
School Library Journal
“Woodson’s latest novel in verse conveys that not all success stories have a fairy-tale ending. Readers will feel an immediate connection to ZJ and his group of authentic, complex friends and family…A unique take on sports and fame told from an unexpected perspective, and another incredible read -delivered by Woodson." “Woodson’s latest novel in verse conveys that not all success stories have a fairy-tale ending. Readers will feel an immediate connection to ZJ and his group of authentic, complex friends and family…A unique take on sports and fame told from an unexpected perspective, and another incredible read -delivered by Woodson."
Horn Book
“In lyrical verse, Woodson conveys the confusion and loss that many families feel as they try to figure out what is wrong with their loved one…Woodson reminds readers that life’s challenges are more easily faced with the support of friends and family.” “In lyrical verse, Woodson conveys the confusion and loss that many families feel as they try to figure out what is wrong with their loved one…Woodson reminds readers that life’s challenges are more easily faced with the support of friends and family.”
Book Details
ISBN
9780399545436
First Release
December 2020
Genre
Fic
Dewey Classification
F
Trim Size
8 3/10" x 5 /12"
Page Count
176
Accelerated Reader
Level 4.5; Points: 3;
Scholastic Reading Counts
N/ALexile
N/AFormat
Print Book
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Nancy Paulsen
Potentially Sensitive Areas
None
Topics
Novels in verse, Brain diseases, Best friends, Friendship, Fathers and sons, Memory, Football, Concussions, African Americans, Family life,
