Before the Ever After

By: Jacqueline Woodson

Narrated by: Guy Lockard

WINNER OF THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD

WINNER OF THE CORETTA SCOTT KING AUTHOR AWARD

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson's stirring novel-in-verse explores how a family moves forward when their glory days have passed and the cost of professional sports on Black bodies.

For as long as ZJ can remember, his dad has been everyone's hero. As a charming, talented pro football star, he's as beloved to the neighborhood kids he plays with as he is to his millions of adoring sports fans. But lately life at ZJ's house is anything but charming. His dad is having trouble remembering things and seems to be angry all the time. ZJ's mom explains it's because of all the head injuries his dad sustained during his career. ZJ can understand that--but it doesn't make the sting any less real when his own father forgets his name. As ZJ contemplates his new reality, he has to figure out how to hold on tight to family traditions and recollections of the glory days, all the while wondering what their past amounts to if his father can't remember it. And most importantly, can those happy feelings ever be reclaimed when they are all so busy aching for the past?

Amazing story everyone needs to experience

This was an excellent novel in verse that chronicles the hardships a young boy was enduring due to his father’s football injury which led to CTE. The writing and storytelling was superb as it was easy to follow and very descriptive. The short chapters helped it flow smoothly as well. Lockhard did an excellent job narrating which really brought it to life!

this was a great realistic fiction book

this book opened my mind to the fact that even famous people's family's have it hard! But it also reminded me that family will always be their, either in spirit, mind, or real life, just remember, you're never alone

This is my favorite author

I liked everything about this about the book and the voices that change to it soo yea

From a CTE and complex dementia specialist

Woodson beautifully and clearly illustrates the challenges, pain, and conflicts of cognitive impairments for families.

Very sad but beautiful

This story is poetry. There’s not a word out of place in this painting of a novella. Beautifully narrated also.