Before the Ever After

 

  •   Woodson, Jacqueline. Before the Ever After. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2020. Ages 10 and up.



This work by Jacqueline Woodson takes a realistic look at the dangers of long-term head trauma caused by physical sports like football and its effect on a family. ZJ has always looked up to his dad, who is an NFL tight end number 44, but after playing the sport for years, his father starts experiencing headaches and memory loss. Starting with migraines, ZJ details, “I am singing when mom tiptoes down the stairs, tells me to stop singing so loud. Your dad has a migraine, she says. Another headache? I ask . . . But I'm not hungry anymore. I’m scared. My daddy was a mountain, a football star, 223 pounds tight end” (Before the Ever After, 86). ZJ and his friends must come to terms with his father's new reality while his mother searches for treatment options.  

The book is split into two parts: "Before the Ever After" and "The Ever After", detailing memories of ZJ before and after his father begins changing. The novel is set from 1999-2001 and shows the progression of head trauma in a time when concussions in football weren't widely discussed.  ZJ recalls, “I was just a little kid back then, but I remember the sky above me. And my daddy smiling. And the sound of roaring that must have been fans. Cheering the team” (Before the Ever After, 120). Being set in the past, there was still a lot of unknown information about the connection between football and brain injuries.  

The story is told through chapters of prose and poetry, rhythmic and melodic. While it is a short and easy read to get through, the details and depth of writing distinguish this novel. Woodson shows readers instead of telling them, allowing readers to learn about the characters through their actions. While there are a lot of struggles, and you follow the father as his condition worsens, the themes of hope and family shine through. The characters shown are diverse and well-rounded, and while the topics are heavy, the author does a wonderful job of making them age-appropriate. It also allows opportunities for adults to discuss heavier topics and to help fill in gaps for younger readers. This is an excellent choice for anyone going through a tough time, a sports lover, or a poetry lover. This book belongs on all shelves and will delight readers with its heartfelt tale. 

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