Solo

Solo, co-authored by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess, was published in 2017 by Blink. The coming-of-age story follows 17-year-old Blade, the adopted son of a former rock star, as he discovers the truth of his parentage, meets his biological mother, and mends his relationship with his adoptive father.

The paperback edition used for this study guide was published by Blink.

Content Warning: The source text of this guide discusses substance use disorder and struggles from withdrawal from alcohol addiction.

Plot Summary

Seventeen-year-old Blade Morrison lives in Hollywood with his famous ex-rock-star father, Rutherford, and older sister Storm.

As the novel opens, Blade wakes from a recurring nightmare, in which he is chased by a large spider while family members play a word game. Blade’s mother, Sunny, whom he adored, died 10 years ago, and she features prominently in his dreams.

At 17, Blade has run out of patience for his father whose failed attempts at rehab have made Rutherford the laughingstock of the media and negatively affected Storm and Blade. Blade and his girlfriend, Chapel, must hide their relationship because her father assumes that Blade will end up like his father. Blade’s resentment intensifies when Rutherford shows up at Blade’s graduation drunk and loudly interrupts Blade’s commencement speech.