This was an amazing book by Jacqueline Woodson. It was a very real topic that many are dealing with today. It was a quick read and written in verse.

I was given a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Told in verse, a family figures out how to move forward after multiple concussions causes the breadwinner long term damage and the inability to function.  Sad, enlightening, impactful and so much more.  Great read!  #netgalley, #BeforeTheEverAfter #JacquelineWoodson

I am so sorry that I cannot do a review. I read this book for consideration for the Schneider Award. While I am allowed to give starred reviews, I cannot give analysis reviews. But thank you for allowing me the chance to read it!

ZJ's father is no longer able to play football. He was once the ebullient center of the household, but now ZJ can't predict his moods and behavior so avoids bringing friends home. Before the Ever After, a novel in verse, describes the changes in the household and the difficult adjustments ZJ has to make due to the medical effects of repeated head injuries his father has suffered. In this year of no library budget, this is a title that I bought with my own money for my school. The combination of subject matter, presentation, and writing has already transformed two students into readers. An essential purchase. I need another copy.

See my review on YALSA's The Hub for this Best Fiction for Young Adults nominee:

http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2020/11/06/best-fiction-for-young-adults-bfya2021-nominees-round-up-november-6-edition/

Woodson poignantly captures the agony of a family dealing with the repercussions of football related brain injuries. Zachariah loves football, was born to play football, so it is heartbreaking to watch this wonderful father, husband and young man as his mind deteriorates. Doctors can't figure out what is happening, the family struggles to figure out how to help and Zachariah can no longer play. Once again, Woodson has written a beautiful story about an important topic.

This was SO good and made it in my top 10 books for 2020. Definitely worth reading and bring your kleenex along for sure.

This review is based on an ARC provided by NetGalley.

Jacqueline Woodson has done it again. This is a breathtaking novel that focuses on healing during a time of trauma. She eloquently depicts the relationship of a family going through a tough trauma and the bonds they have are built stronger. The family struggles to figure out where to go from here and how to cope with the future but they rally around those they love and find healing. The beautiful verse tells this story of healing.

Jacqueline Woodson is a master storyteller, and this novel-in-verse is another work of art. She gives ZJ a real, honest voice as he describes his love for his dad, a professional football player. Their relationship is the heart of this book and it is beautiful - and then ZJ's dad begins to face the aftermath of too many concussions, to the point that he doesn't seem like the same person anymore. Heartbreaking and yet hopeful., Before the Ever After is an important story about fathers and sons, children and parents, and unconditional love. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

I listened to this book and it was so amazing to hear the story unfold. Told from a child’s perspective, trying to understand something that even adults didn’t understand. Woodson wrote a beautiful story about a family’s love for one another.

Jacqueline Woodson’s latest middle grade novel, “Before the Ever After” (Nancy Paulsen/Penguin, $17.99), uses verse to explore the bond between father and son, as well as the lasting effects of traumatic brain injury. ZJ is used to people admiring his dad, a former pro football star. Lately, though, his dad is often angry, and sometimes forgetful — which his mom says is because of all the football tackles. The 2020 MacArthur Fellow and former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature eloquently depicts how much ZJ cares for his father, even though he’s confused and hurt by his behavior. It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking and important read. (Ages 8-12)

Before the Ever After is such a great book! It’s a novel in verse and it’s by Jacqueline Woodson so you can’t go wrong. Hand to students who enjoyed Dragon Hoops, Crossover, and Harbor Me.

I have written about Jacqueline Woodson's work before, for Kirkus Reviews and TIME Magazine, but I was not able to find the appropriate outlet to pitch this beautiful, quiet and lovely important middle grade novel. It has all the hallmarks of her at the height of her craft -- the sensitive lens, the tender appreciation of a young boy's perspective as his father deals with the head injuries that have impacted his football career and their family's life.

Woodson’s latest book will find readership among football fans as well as those who are drawn to those bittersweet realistic fiction works that leave a mark on hearts. “Before the Ever After” addresses the dangers of one of America’s most popular pastimes by putting 12 year old ZJ squarely in the midst of the pain and personality changes that repeated hits on the gridiron can cause football players, even Super Bowl ring wearer icons like his dad. As Zachariah, Sr. is forced to leave the sport he loves and battles declining health and slipping memory, ZJ clings to the memories of “Before,” his 3 best friends and those who haven’t left just because the star isn’t shining so brightly anymore. Terrific middle grade read will allow readers to create their own ever after ending and hopefully send them to do a little extra research on the subject

A realistic portrayal of a family dealing with illness.  A young boys family deals with the effects of his fathers successful football career when his dad starts having signs of CTE.  The main character is dealing with the changes in his father physically and mentally while also navigating his evolving friendships.

Woodson is a phenomenal talent so I was very much looking forward to reading her new book in verse Before the Ever After.  It centers around 12 yr old ZJ, son of former NFL star Zachariah Johnson.  As the story unfolds ZJ relates how his father's career has begun to impact their family.  Dad suffers from a traumatic brain injury as a result of years playing football.

I loved getting to know ZJ and all his friends and how they supported and loved one another.  ZJ is a very articulate 12 year old who is able to express himself with his words and lyrics all the things his family is suffering.  I particularly liked the recurring use of trees in the story. Even as we witnessed the father's decline, his fascination with the trees remained.  ZJ's mom was a model of a patient, caring love we seldom see described.  

Despite the wonderfully relatable characters of ZJ and his boys, the one character I cannot let go is Everett.  I am haunted by the boy, whose dream, like ZJ's father, was to play football.  ZJ himself didn't share his father's love for the game, but Everett does.  It makes me wonder if Everett ever made it to the NFL and if so, is he any better protected that Zachariah was when he played?

My reluctant readers always seem to be drawn in by a book in verse, and this one at under 200 pages, wouldn't disappoint.

Jacqueline Woodson's novel in verse, Before the Ever After, explores the effects of head injuries in sports through the eyes of a son as he watches his father struggle with memory loss, mood swings, and the lack of support from the sports' organizers. The crisp writing, so characteristic of Woodson, speaks to kids and tweens perfectly. While this may not be a book that young readers gravitate to independently, this would be an excellent choice for family or classroom reading. Recommended!

ZJ’s father is a professional football player. As his headaches and memory loss increase and his ability to play decreases, his family must lean on each other and their close friends as they try to find out what’s happening, how to heal, and how to move forward. Touching, painful, and all too real. Wonderfully insightful story.

Jacqueline Woodson defies gravity with writing that is succinct, timely and out of this world.  She tackles the topics that need to be talked about and brings depth, clarity, and vulnerable characters to readers through these stories.  In her newest book, the devastating and life changing effects of concussions on a family is explored.  Powerful and thought provoking.

T.J. idolizes his dad. Who wouldn't when your father is a Tight End in the NFL? A friendly giant, he's the dad that everyone wants to be around. That was the Before. Now T.J.'s dad is forgetful, quick to anger and confused, but no one has answers for his family. Will things ever go back to normal? T.J.'s circle of friends become his constant in this time of uncertainty. These friendships light up this book and make it whole.

It has been a long time since I have devoured a book in one sitting. Longer than I can remember. But if there was ever an author to keep me awake all night - it is Jacqueline Woodson.

A great MG novel about family, friendships, heroes and loyalty. Before the Ever After will quickly be added to the long list of Woodson classics.

Thanks to the author, Netgalley and Penguin/Paulsen books for an early review copy.