A review by clementineecho
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

4.0

In summary, ZJ is the son of a football star and has to deal with the medical aftermath of a career full of concussions.
Woodson manages to include so many different elements that would draw in a variety of readers, making this a fab middle-grade class book. It is short too! So very accessible.
She's got a touching family dynamic! Friendships! Sports! Music! Dealing with adversity! Something for everyone and nothing edgy, so it is appropriate for everyone in the classroom.