logo

45 pages 1 hour read

Mary Rand Hess, Kwame Alexander

Solo

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | YA | Published in 2017

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Solo by Mary Rand Hess and Kwame Alexander, 17-year-old Blade Morrison, the adopted son of a former rock star, embarks on a journey to discover the truth of his parentage and to mend his fractured relationships, ultimately finding his biological mother in Ghana and reconciling with his adoptive father amidst a backdrop of personal and familial struggles.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Hess and Alexander's Solo intertwines verse and music to explore complex family dynamics and self-discovery. The poetic format garners praise for its emotional depth and lyrical beauty. However, some critics find the narrative's pacing uneven and the character development occasionally lacking. Overall, it's a heartfelt, resonant read that engages teens effectively.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Solo?

A reader who would enjoy Solo by Mary Rand Hess and Kwame Alexander is likely a young adult looking for a profound, lyrical exploration of identity, family, and music. Fans of books like The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo and Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds will appreciate the verse narrative and emotional depth.

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.

Book Details
Pages

458

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Publication Year

2017

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

HL640L