“Created by real-life rivals and #1 New York Times bestselling authors Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft this hilarious illustrated story features two talented fifth graders going head-to-head in a competition for the ages.” (From Hachette Book Group)
I have never been a fan of bloggers recommending books that I can’t buy yet! But I couldn’t wait to share this one with you and I know Barnes and Noble has their PREORDER25 code active now for ordering preorders. So I highly encourage you to go to your local independent bookstore or to Barnes and Noble to preorder this book today! (I could write a whole post on this being a great time to be very INTENTIONAL about where you are spending your money, but that is for another day.)
So, I finished J vs. K by Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft this week! I picked up an ARC at NCTE’s annual convention –it was the one book I really hoped I could get before the publication date because it looked so fabulous. It definitely met and exceeded all of my expectations and I can’t wait to share this one with kids and teachers.
I love everything about this book! First of all, the characters are both fabulous. Both main characters are 5th graders. K is an incredible writer and J is an incredible artist. Both use these skills for storytelling and their classmates love their stories (words and pictures.). As a literacy teacher, how could we not love characters whose passion is to tell stories!? The characters are also kind and funny and most of all, genuine. There are features throughout the story where the authors talk to us and where the healthy competition by the authors is mirrored by the actions/words of the characters.
I also love the plot. There is a big storytelling contest at the school and it is a BIG DEAL. The whole school is getting ready and even though no 5th grader has ever won, both J and K are certain they can win. Threaded through this is a theme of friendship.
The format of the book is great. Lots of text and lots of visuals throughout. There are some fun features that focus on vocabulary, some back-and-forth between the authors and font changes throughout.
Every detail of this book is intentional–from the Dear Reader to the Author/Illustrator(Not Illustrator) bios.
Kids are going to love this book. Teachers and parents will love it too. It is a great story full of humor and it seems like it might be the first in a series! For fans who already love Kwame Alexander or Jerry Kraft, they will be thrilled to see this author pair coming together to create something. For readers who have not yet discovered these authors, I am sure they will go on to read more of their books.
The book comes out May 6. But I recommend preordering it today!
A(nother) Year of Reading 