I loved everything about this audiobook. The story is smart, heartfelt, and full of the kind of rhythm and humour that makes middle grade fiction such a joy to listen to. But what really elevates it is that it’s read by the authors themselves and you can feel it.

Kwame Alexander, in particular, brings a poetic quality to the narration that’s impossible to ignore. His background as a poet shines through in every line; there’s a cadence, a texture to the way he reads that gives the story so much depth and energy. Jerry Craft also brings a warmth and familiarity that makes the characters feel real and relatable.

Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or just someone who appreciates a well-told story, this is a standout listen. Uplifting, fun, and full of heart.

LOVE this book about fren-emies J and K!

Your students will laugh out loud at the funny humor and creative illustrations provided by the authors. (Keep an eye out to a sneaky shout-out to Jeff Kinney via a 4th grade contestant!)

The audio was so worth it and it great to use for a read-aloud during the day, or even for those aspiring older readers who want to read the same texts as their peers.

Also - thanks to Hachette for not only providing this ALC, but also for providing great teaching materials through their website.

These two authors are a joy apart, so I was FLOORED when I saw they were doing something together. This was so much fun and I laughed so hard at my big age lol I can only imagine what those who are the target age are feeling. Also, if you do pick this up, listen to it, but also look through the finished copy as well. This is definitely worth an immersive read lol

When I say this was hilarious, I mean it. They wrote this basically like they were having a conversation. I loved the way they broke character in some places just to argue and change some things. And the way they basically sabotaged each other had me cackling. I truly thought it was going to be funny, but I did not think it was going to be like THAT.

I think the coolest part about this is the way they incorporated some people they knew into the other characters. It wasn’t until my co-worker interviewed them that I figured out who one of them was. And I gotta say, I wonder who in the world was that one kid. I don’t want to name names, but I’m sure once you get into it you’ll know who I mean lol

The best thing about this tho was quite possibly the narration. Yeah I missed out on the images, but when I tell you it seemed like I was listening to a weird conversation between the two of them lol And it was like I was listening to a convo that was happening right in front of me. I also loved that the way they narrated? Does that make sense? Like they took the right inflections, they paused, they had the dramatic timing down, and of course the random titles of their books that kept popping up lol Those were actually my favorite.

This was so much fun and I loved being able to experience this story in almost real life lol I really hope y’all blow this book up. It really helped me get back to my happy place, so I imagine it’s going to do the same for the kiddos that get their hands on it as well.

J vs. K (Kindle Edition)
by Kwame Alexander Jerry Craft
The audio book gives an exceptional experience of the story.
As the authors tell of childhood experiences and the craft of book writing and creation. The two authors argue and pose before each other with long time rivalry, and companionship. Their humor and spontaneous conversations show that the writing and publishing process, although intimidating, are not that insurmountable. The use of language and mental imagery cause the students to see their own possibilities.
It was a great story for students. Two rivals join forces to enter the school's writing contest. Even though they did not win the writing contest. They show how they inspire others to write and find acceptance.

This book was entertaining and informative. I appreciated the good balance. The marration was fantastic. I listened with my kids who also enjoyed it. It is a great story teaching kindness and how to get along with others, how to have an opening mind and to be willing to learn.

Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft have created an absolutely brilliant, interactive story that will engage readers of all ages and be a resource for teachers everywhere.

First, the excellence of Kwame and Jerry as narrators is truly unmatched. Their joy is infectious as they bring their characters to life with their intended inflections and cadence. Their author notes and asides work in audio format as they made intentional choices to help the listener understand the difference between them and the actual story. Kwame and Jerry are natural storytellers, and that is evident not only in how they write but how expressive and engaging their narration is as well.

Next, I absolutely loved the relevancy of this plot. How timely is it that we get a story of two young men who, at first glance, may not have anything in common, but through actual communication and introspection, they realize that not only do they have a myriad of things in common they actually enjoy each other as friends? Although the story and message was written for younger readers, it is absolutely applicable to older readers as well.

Last, as a middle school educator, I am beyond excited for how this text can be used in the classroom to teach several elements of English Language Arts, especially Author's Craft. Author's Craft is a concept that many students struggle to understand and internalize, and J vs. K is an accessible example of why author's make the choices they do.

I highly recommend this book to families and educators as it truly does have something valuable for everyone.

The audiobook is just as entertaining as the chapter book in Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft's joint creation. Read by the authors, there is good natured ribbing, genuine laughter, and sort of a conversational tone at times, which I loved. Readers will feel like they are sitting down with the authors as they joke, tell a great story, and teach aspiring artists and writers about their craft.

This audiobook is not to be missed, in addition to the book which has fun illustrations. I've been listening to J vs. K with my 6 1/2 and 7 1/2 year olds, and they love it, but I also think it would appeal to 8-12-year olds.

I highly recommend this audiobook for schools and libraries.

5 stars

When I originally interacted with this text, it was through an electronic copy, and I really enjoyed the read. I was skeptical about the audio version since the illustrations add so much. While I still recommend reviewing the illustrations, I have to say that I enjoyed the audio even more than the e-book. These two narrating their own book? Absolute GOLD.

Like many prospective readers, I came to this book because of my ongoing appreciation for the co-authors. This incoming knowledge of both writers' works also led me to have specific expectations about what I'd find here. While those expectations were somewhat challenged, I am still finishing the read satisfied.

J and K are fifth graders who badly - and I mean badly - want to win The Contest. Both kids realize that they have serious competition in each other, and this evolves (devolves!) into a pretty extreme and often amusing rivalry.

The basic plot of this - even for a middle grade novel - is almost too simplistic, and I did struggle with that at times. What I absolutely loved throughout is the constant interjecting from both authors, who also serve as characters in their own ways, sharing regular brief asides about their choices and each other. They really take the J vs. K bit to a whole other level, and it is a lot of fun to encounter that part.

This is labeled as a graphic novel in some spaces, and that is not quite right in my estimation. There are vital illustrations, but these illustrations do not accompany or replace the written text throughout. This is more accurately a middle grade novel with fun illustrations on the side.

An original and fun conversation between two characters and authors, this book brings something fresh. to the middle grade circuit, and it's all the more exciting that it's coming from two proven and respected writers.