Parents' Guide to

Solo

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Poignant tale of rock star's son fleeing fame, finding self.

Book Kwame Alexander, Mary Rand Hess Poetry 2017
Solo Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

Molly S.
Molly S. Adult
May 5, 2018
age 10+

Phenomenal

This took me a chapter or two to get into, but when it got good, it got GREAT. Beautiful.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In SOLO, Blade Morrison has one parent who is dead, another who's a rock legend and legendary screw up, a girlfriend who has to keep their relationship secret, and a sister who straddles the line between super annoying and somewhat supportive. He lives under the Morrison family cloud of fame, excess, and celebrity that shelters and imprisons him. There's also a big family secret looming that will rock his world -- and not in a good way. When Blade's dad's addiction screws up the biggest day of Blade's life, he makes a decision to cut loose from the family and the fame, and looks to a future with his girl, Chapel. Will Blade break free of the notoriety of being a Morrison? Will Chapel get free of her family? And is there any hope that Blade's dad will break free from his addiction? Family, secrets, fame, and music drive Blade to places he never imagined, including a little village in Ghana.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (5):
This masterfully woven tale of forgiveness, family, music, and coming-of-age amid excess and secrets is a compelling book for these "insta-celebrity" times. While most teens dream of the perks of celebrity, Kwame Alexander shows in Solo that there's a very real downside as he also explores the growing pains every teen faces. Blade Morrison is a well-developed character that connects emotionally with readers. Through him, Alexander shows the stress of family dynamics, the healing power of forgiveness, and the power of music to emotionally support the soul.
Teens will love the current and cool vibe of the book, while adults will appreciate the life lessons and nods to classic rock favorites.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about fantasy vs. reality in Solo. How does the media's portrayal of celebrities compare with the reality of life lived in the public eye? How might life be hard if you were a celebrity? What wouldn't you want people to discuss about your family and life if you were a celebrity?

  • How does forgiveness help in Solo? Have you ever had trouble forgiving a family member? How did that affect your relationship?

  • Kwame Alexander tells his story in free verse. What makes poetry a good fit for a story about music? What other interesting ways have you seen people tell a story?

Book Details

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