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Booked (The Crossover Series)

Description:

In this electrifying follow-up to Kwame Alexander's Newbery winner The Crossover, soccer, family, love, and friendship take center stage. A New York Times bestseller and National Book Award Longlist nominee.

Twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. Helping him along are his best friend and sometimes teammate Coby, and The Mac, a rapping librarian who gives Nick inspiring books to read.  

This electric and heartfelt novel-in-verse bends and breaks as it captures all the thrills and setbacks, action and emotion of a World Cup match.

"A novel about a soccer-obsessed tween boy written entirely in verse? In a word, yes. Kwame Alexander has the magic to pull off this unlikely feat, both as a poet and as a storyteller. " —The Chicago Tribune

Can’t nobody stop you

Can’t nobody cop you…

ILA-CBC Children's Choice List· ALA Notable Children’s Book · Book Links’ Lasting Connections · Kirkus Best Book · San Francisco Chronicle Best Book· Washington Post Best Book· BookPage Best Book

Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

National Book Award longlist 2017 ILA-CBC Children's Choice List Book Links’ Lasting Connections 2016 Kirkus Best of 2016 Nerdy Book Club Nerdies 2016 Poetry/Novels in Verse New York Times Bestseller San Francisco Chronicle Best of 2016 Washington Post Best of 2016 BookPage Best of 2016 "A novel about a soccer-obsessed tween boy written entirely in verse? In a word, yes.Kwame Alexander has the magic to pull off this unlikely feat, both as a poet and as a storyteller. " —The Chicago Tribune "This lively, touching middle school soccer story is full of fun." —Common Sense Media * "A satisfying, winning read." —Kirkus, STARRED review * "Alexander skillfully juggles verse styles to realistically capture Nick's humor and smarts, passion for soccer, and vulnerability when being bullied, having surgery, or facing his parents' troubled marriage. Emotionally resonant and with a pace like a player on a breakaway..." — Publishers Weekly, STARRED review * "Alexander understands reluctant readers deeply, and here hands them a protagonist who is himself a smart, reading-averse kid who just wants to enjoy the words that interest him on his own terms. With accessible poetic forms and engaging formatting, Booked ’s pages will be turned swiftly and enthusiastically." — Horn BookMagazine, STARRED review * "Middle-school readers and their advocates will surely love Alexander’s joyous word play and celebration of reading." — Booklist, STARRED review "Newbery-winning poet Alexander once again brings to life a novel in verse that equally captures the rapid-fire excitement of a soccer match and the palpable pain of a young boy whose family is falling apart. Another winning goal for Alexander and middle school readers alike." —School Library Journal "This is a fantastic book with a never-ending supply of new words like “onomatophobia” and “yobbery” that will leave readers full of new words and ideas. This is an absolute must-have for any library serving tweens." — VOYA "A powerful story that will leave the reader breathless, right to the very end." —BookPage Children's Top Pick —

About the Author

Kwame Alexander is a poet, an educator, and the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five books, including his Newbery Medal–winning middle grade novel The Crossover. Some of his other works include Booked, which was longlisted for the National Book Award; The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life; Swing; the picture books How to Read a Book and How to Write a Poem (coauthored with Deanna Nikaido), bothillustrated by Melissa Sweet; and The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, which was longlisted for the National Book Award and won the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. He is a regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition, currently serving as their poet ambassador. He lives in Virginia with his family. Visit his website at kwamealexander.com. 

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

M. · July 7, 2025

Bought a class set for my students.

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful, cheerful read!

J.H. · May 19, 2022

BOOKED is a book that will make you laugh and cheer! It’s the story of a 12-year-old boy whose parents are breaking up and whose dad makes him read the dictionary to improve his vocabulary which HE does and IT does and it so impresses a girl he likes that she becomes his girlfriend despite her dad’s being a cop and she bringing her entire book club to his house for a date and he likes it and his mom taking them horseback riding which the girl likes even though it’s her first time in a saddle.Then he learns enough Taekwando to get back at the bullies who stole his bike and beat him up and of course this is after he gets out of the hospital for another matter and can’t go to New York or Dalles to play soccer with his team and his best friend and he has to see a psychologist for being so sad he couldn’t go and he names him Dr. Fraud then gets his friend the school librarian’s “Freedom” box because the guy is going down a different bend in his river and when he opens it, I mean wow!The boy loves words and rap, and I really loved him and his story and that K. A. wrote it so well and that it’s the second book in the series.Share this:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book

P. · September 15, 2024

My son loved it! Andvtge story seemed interesting.

4.0 out of 5 stars Middle School

G. · January 2, 2025

This is a good depiction of middle school life. The soccer poems are awesome, but I wish there were more of them to really show how much Nick loves the game. I felt for him as he struggled with fear and regret throughout the story—it’s something so many kids can relate to. That said, it’s a little hard to buy that a kid who knows so many big words and writes so well is only just starting to enjoy reading novels in 8th grade. Even with that, it’s a great book with a lot of heart, and it leaves you rooting for Nick the whole way through.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

C. · March 20, 2024

My son read this book multiple times and enjoyed that story. I would recommend to kids interested in sports.

5.0 out of 5 stars My fifteen year old son reading poetry?!!

m.o.3. · November 6, 2016

I was astonished and thrilled when my fifteen year old son chose Kwame Alexander's first basketball book, Crossover. Poetry? Really? You want to read poetry? Non only did he want to read it (over and over and over) he started to write poetry after reading this book. Poetry about what it's like to play basketball, poetry about winning. Poetry about trying. Poetry about being a good leader. This is a kid who, prior to reading Kwame Alexander, NEVER wrote a poem, ever. When he was younger, he read Shel Silverstein and loved it. In school he was exposed to Kipling's poem "If" and loved that. The Art of Manliness book included several poems that my son was astonished to find inspiring. Then, he chose Kwame Alexander's book, Crossover, one day at Barnes and Noble and all of a sudden my athlete kid is WRITING poetry. I LOVE this author. Love him. I bought "Booked" as a Christmas present for my kid, hoping he'll love it as much as he loved "Crossover".

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it! Engaging, clever, and “unputdownable”

L. · July 9, 2020

As a middle school teacher, I’m always looking for new books that will pique my students interests. This book is an absolute gem and I’m so glad I picked it up! I definitely think the main character will resonate with my students. There were also so many unique vocabulary words introduced in such a unique way, (with footnotes at the bottom of the page). It even had me looking up words like “callipygous” and had me chuckling at the meaning. Overall highly recommend!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

S.G. · December 11, 2023

This is a good book for YA readers. Great for making connections and learning about to visualize

Fabulous Book!

D.Q.-.T. · January 17, 2022

This is an absolutely amazing book! My son (age 11) and I couldn't put it down. He is a competitive soccer player so all the game and pro player references were really appreciated. It is beautifully writen and very touching. This is a must read!!

Quirky, original and life affirming

T.F. · January 13, 2022

A superbly written verse novel, with much for adults as well as young readers to appreciate. So many life lessons layered in the succinct and apposite prose. Thoroughly enjoyable and a great example of how verse can create flow atmosphere in a narrative.

Good book for football fan!

J.s. · March 7, 2022

Enjoyed by my teenage nephew

Moderate

A.C. · July 22, 2025

A little boring

Really Good For Teen Boys Who Don't Like To Read!

K. · March 31, 2019

This book and Author was recommended for my son to try to get him back in the habit of reading. He was able to get through this book with ease and seemed to enjoy the story and how the story was laid out. Not too many words per page, the story was written using a poetry format. A few words per line to tell the overall story. He loved it. I bought him another book for Christmas.

Visit the Clarion Books Store

Booked (The Crossover Series)

Product ID: U1328596303
Condition: New

4.7

AED5451

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

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All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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Visit the Clarion Books Store

Booked (The Crossover Series)

Product ID: U1328596303
Condition: New

4.7

Booked (The Crossover Series)-0
Type: Paperback

AED5451

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

In this electrifying follow-up to Kwame Alexander's Newbery winner The Crossover, soccer, family, love, and friendship take center stage. A New York Times bestseller and National Book Award Longlist nominee.

Twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. Helping him along are his best friend and sometimes teammate Coby, and The Mac, a rapping librarian who gives Nick inspiring books to read.  

This electric and heartfelt novel-in-verse bends and breaks as it captures all the thrills and setbacks, action and emotion of a World Cup match.

"A novel about a soccer-obsessed tween boy written entirely in verse? In a word, yes. Kwame Alexander has the magic to pull off this unlikely feat, both as a poet and as a storyteller. " —The Chicago Tribune

Can’t nobody stop you

Can’t nobody cop you…

ILA-CBC Children's Choice List· ALA Notable Children’s Book · Book Links’ Lasting Connections · Kirkus Best Book · San Francisco Chronicle Best Book· Washington Post Best Book· BookPage Best Book

Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

National Book Award longlist 2017 ILA-CBC Children's Choice List Book Links’ Lasting Connections 2016 Kirkus Best of 2016 Nerdy Book Club Nerdies 2016 Poetry/Novels in Verse New York Times Bestseller San Francisco Chronicle Best of 2016 Washington Post Best of 2016 BookPage Best of 2016 "A novel about a soccer-obsessed tween boy written entirely in verse? In a word, yes.Kwame Alexander has the magic to pull off this unlikely feat, both as a poet and as a storyteller. " —The Chicago Tribune "This lively, touching middle school soccer story is full of fun." —Common Sense Media * "A satisfying, winning read." —Kirkus, STARRED review * "Alexander skillfully juggles verse styles to realistically capture Nick's humor and smarts, passion for soccer, and vulnerability when being bullied, having surgery, or facing his parents' troubled marriage. Emotionally resonant and with a pace like a player on a breakaway..." — Publishers Weekly, STARRED review * "Alexander understands reluctant readers deeply, and here hands them a protagonist who is himself a smart, reading-averse kid who just wants to enjoy the words that interest him on his own terms. With accessible poetic forms and engaging formatting, Booked ’s pages will be turned swiftly and enthusiastically." — Horn BookMagazine, STARRED review * "Middle-school readers and their advocates will surely love Alexander’s joyous word play and celebration of reading." — Booklist, STARRED review "Newbery-winning poet Alexander once again brings to life a novel in verse that equally captures the rapid-fire excitement of a soccer match and the palpable pain of a young boy whose family is falling apart. Another winning goal for Alexander and middle school readers alike." —School Library Journal "This is a fantastic book with a never-ending supply of new words like “onomatophobia” and “yobbery” that will leave readers full of new words and ideas. This is an absolute must-have for any library serving tweens." — VOYA "A powerful story that will leave the reader breathless, right to the very end." —BookPage Children's Top Pick —

About the Author

Kwame Alexander is a poet, an educator, and the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five books, including his Newbery Medal–winning middle grade novel The Crossover. Some of his other works include Booked, which was longlisted for the National Book Award; The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life; Swing; the picture books How to Read a Book and How to Write a Poem (coauthored with Deanna Nikaido), bothillustrated by Melissa Sweet; and The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, which was longlisted for the National Book Award and won the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. He is a regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition, currently serving as their poet ambassador. He lives in Virginia with his family. Visit his website at kwamealexander.com. 

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

M. · July 7, 2025

Bought a class set for my students.

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful, cheerful read!

J.H. · May 19, 2022

BOOKED is a book that will make you laugh and cheer! It’s the story of a 12-year-old boy whose parents are breaking up and whose dad makes him read the dictionary to improve his vocabulary which HE does and IT does and it so impresses a girl he likes that she becomes his girlfriend despite her dad’s being a cop and she bringing her entire book club to his house for a date and he likes it and his mom taking them horseback riding which the girl likes even though it’s her first time in a saddle.Then he learns enough Taekwando to get back at the bullies who stole his bike and beat him up and of course this is after he gets out of the hospital for another matter and can’t go to New York or Dalles to play soccer with his team and his best friend and he has to see a psychologist for being so sad he couldn’t go and he names him Dr. Fraud then gets his friend the school librarian’s “Freedom” box because the guy is going down a different bend in his river and when he opens it, I mean wow!The boy loves words and rap, and I really loved him and his story and that K. A. wrote it so well and that it’s the second book in the series.Share this:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book

P. · September 15, 2024

My son loved it! Andvtge story seemed interesting.

4.0 out of 5 stars Middle School

G. · January 2, 2025

This is a good depiction of middle school life. The soccer poems are awesome, but I wish there were more of them to really show how much Nick loves the game. I felt for him as he struggled with fear and regret throughout the story—it’s something so many kids can relate to. That said, it’s a little hard to buy that a kid who knows so many big words and writes so well is only just starting to enjoy reading novels in 8th grade. Even with that, it’s a great book with a lot of heart, and it leaves you rooting for Nick the whole way through.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

C. · March 20, 2024

My son read this book multiple times and enjoyed that story. I would recommend to kids interested in sports.

5.0 out of 5 stars My fifteen year old son reading poetry?!!

m.o.3. · November 6, 2016

I was astonished and thrilled when my fifteen year old son chose Kwame Alexander's first basketball book, Crossover. Poetry? Really? You want to read poetry? Non only did he want to read it (over and over and over) he started to write poetry after reading this book. Poetry about what it's like to play basketball, poetry about winning. Poetry about trying. Poetry about being a good leader. This is a kid who, prior to reading Kwame Alexander, NEVER wrote a poem, ever. When he was younger, he read Shel Silverstein and loved it. In school he was exposed to Kipling's poem "If" and loved that. The Art of Manliness book included several poems that my son was astonished to find inspiring. Then, he chose Kwame Alexander's book, Crossover, one day at Barnes and Noble and all of a sudden my athlete kid is WRITING poetry. I LOVE this author. Love him. I bought "Booked" as a Christmas present for my kid, hoping he'll love it as much as he loved "Crossover".

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it! Engaging, clever, and “unputdownable”

L. · July 9, 2020

As a middle school teacher, I’m always looking for new books that will pique my students interests. This book is an absolute gem and I’m so glad I picked it up! I definitely think the main character will resonate with my students. There were also so many unique vocabulary words introduced in such a unique way, (with footnotes at the bottom of the page). It even had me looking up words like “callipygous” and had me chuckling at the meaning. Overall highly recommend!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

S.G. · December 11, 2023

This is a good book for YA readers. Great for making connections and learning about to visualize

Fabulous Book!

D.Q.-.T. · January 17, 2022

This is an absolutely amazing book! My son (age 11) and I couldn't put it down. He is a competitive soccer player so all the game and pro player references were really appreciated. It is beautifully writen and very touching. This is a must read!!

Quirky, original and life affirming

T.F. · January 13, 2022

A superbly written verse novel, with much for adults as well as young readers to appreciate. So many life lessons layered in the succinct and apposite prose. Thoroughly enjoyable and a great example of how verse can create flow atmosphere in a narrative.

Good book for football fan!

J.s. · March 7, 2022

Enjoyed by my teenage nephew

Moderate

A.C. · July 22, 2025

A little boring

Really Good For Teen Boys Who Don't Like To Read!

K. · March 31, 2019

This book and Author was recommended for my son to try to get him back in the habit of reading. He was able to get through this book with ease and seemed to enjoy the story and how the story was laid out. Not too many words per page, the story was written using a poetry format. A few words per line to tell the overall story. He loved it. I bought him another book for Christmas.

Similar suggestions by Bolo

More from this brand

Similar items from “Stories In Verse”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/U1328596303