Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson is a novel in verse that delves into the emotional journey of a young boy named ZJ as he copes with his father's deteriorating condition due to CTE, a result of his football career. The book beautifully portrays the father-son relationship and the impact of head injuries in sports, focusing on themes of family, friendship, and music. Woodson's writing style, characterized by crisp and emotional storytelling, captures the struggles and moments of solace experienced by ZJ as he navigates through his father's illness.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is written in verse, offering emotional depth and requiring readers to engage deeply with the narrative's meaning.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows a boy dealing with the decline of his NFL father due to head trauma, highlighting themes of family love and the struggles of mental health.

Setting:

The setting is late 1990s Maplewood, New Jersey, intertwined with the culture of football and its implications.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast due to the verse format, yet it effectively conveys the emotional weight of the story.

Genres:

Topics:

chronic traumatic encephalopathy

sports related injuries

father son relationship

coming of age

Notes:

The book follows ZJ, a 12-year-old boy, as he watches his father, a star NFL player, struggle with health issues.

ZJ's dad exhibits symptoms such as memory loss, aggression, and severe headaches, which might be related to CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).

The story is set in 1999 and explores themes of family, love, and the impact of sports injuries.

The novel is written in verse, giving it a poetic feel that allows for emotional and impactful storytelling.

ZJ's family is very loving and supportive, providing a warm backdrop to the challenges they face.

The book addresses the struggles of young athletes and the pressures of sports culture, particularly regarding player health.

It includes a close-knit group of friends called the Fantastic Four, who support ZJ throughout his father's illness.

Music serves as a bond between ZJ and his dad, highlighting its importance in their relationship.

The book sheds light on the effects of concussions and the lack of understanding about CTE in the late 90s.

Woodson's writing combines honesty with sensitivity, making the emotional journey relatable for readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of chronic illness, mental health struggles, and the emotional impact of a loved one deteriorating.

From The Publisher:

WINNER OF THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD

WINNER OF THE CORETTA SCOTT KING AUTHOR AWARD

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson's stirring novel-in-verse explores how a family moves forward when their glory days have passed and the cost of professional sports on Black bodies.

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?

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Before the Ever After

Jacqueline Woodson