A parent might reach for this book when their middle schooler is navigating the confusion and anger of a parental separation. "Booked" is a powerful graphic novel about Nick Hall, a soccer-obsessed boy whose world is turned upside down when his parents announce they are splitting up. At the same time, he's dealing with a school bully, a first crush, and a major injury that sidelines him from the game he loves. Told through dynamic illustrations and verse, the story explores themes of resilience, identity, and the power of words to heal. It's a perfect choice for sports fans and reluctant readers, offering a relatable and hopeful path through family upheaval.
The central sensitive topic is parental divorce. The approach is direct and secular, focusing on the emotional impact on the child. The arguments and the announcement of the separation are depicted realistically from Nick's perspective. The resolution is not a reconciliation, but an acceptance of the new family reality, making it realistic and ultimately hopeful as Nick learns to cope and finds his footing again. Bullying is also depicted directly, including verbal taunts and a physical altercation.
Ideal Reader
This is for the 11-13 year old, particularly a boy, who is navigating a significant family change like a separation. He might be an athlete who ties his identity to his sport, and he's likely feeling angry, confused, and powerless. It’s an excellent choice for a reluctant reader who is drawn to graphic novels, fast pacing, and sports action.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for direct depictions of parental arguments and Nick's raw, angry reactions. The scenes where his parents tell him they are separating (both the initial "interim" talk and the later confirmation) could be emotional for a child in a similar situation. The book can be read cold, but it will almost certainly spark questions and feelings that warrant a gentle, open conversation afterward. A parent has just told their child they are separating. They see their child withdrawing, becoming more irritable, or struggling to express their feelings about the situation. The child might be lashing out or blaming one parent, and the parent is looking for a story to help their child feel seen and understood.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will connect strongly with the soccer action, the bullying subplot, and the friendship dynamics. They will understand the sadness of the parents splitting up on a surface level. An older reader (12-14) will grasp the deeper emotional complexity of Nick's identity crisis. They will better appreciate the nuance of his relationship with his father and the sophisticated way the book uses language and poetry as a coping mechanism.
What Makes It Special
Its unique combination of verse novel poetry, a compelling sports narrative, and a dynamic graphic novel format makes it exceptionally accessible. Unlike many books about divorce that are more introspective and quiet, "Booked" is packed with action and rhythm. It brilliantly equates the power and flow of poetry and vocabulary with the energy of a soccer match, providing a novel way for kids, especially boys, to see language as a tool for strength and self-expression.
Read plot summary
Twelve-year-old Nick Hall is a soccer star with a linguistics professor father who forces him to read the dictionary, and a horse-trainer mother. His life revolves around his sport, his best friend Coby, and his crush, April. His world fractures when his parents announce their separation, a school bully escalates his attacks, and a serious injury requires surgery, taking him off the soccer field indefinitely. Feeling lost, Nick begins to discover that the words his father loves can be a source of power and a way to process his anger and grief, helping him redefine himself beyond the soccer pitch.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Nick's dad makes him read the dictionary, which Nick calls 'the word-jail.' By the end of the book, how has Nick's relationship with words and the dictionary changed?
2
When Nick gets injured and can't play soccer, he feels like he has lost his identity. What other parts of himself does he discover when he's on the sidelines?
3
Think about Nick's best friend, Coby, and his crush, April. How do these two friends support him in different ways while he is going through a hard time?
4
Nick's parents tell him they are on an 'interim' separation. Why do you think they chose that word, and how did it make Nick feel? Was it better or worse than being direct from the start?
5
The book is a graphic novel, using pictures to help tell the story. Find a page where you think the art did a great job of showing Nick's emotions without using any words.
