Solo, by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess

Solo, by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess

From my Kirkus column about Solo, by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess:

Like the Pérez book, Solo is full of music. Not just Blade’s own songs, but references to other songs and musicians and music, and readers who’re familiar with some of the specific songs will notice how their rhythm informs the rhythm of the poetry—it’s lovely. The plotting and some of the characterization—especially in regards to the two main female characters in Ghana, both of whom read more as archetypes than individuals—aren’t entirely successful, but Blade’s voice is so strong and his journey towards understanding himself, his history, and his father is so compelling that it’s well worth a read anyway.