African-American Lit: Before the Ever After

Before the Ever After

A Review by Amanda Kendall

 

Bibliography:

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2020. Before the Ever After. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books. 0399545433

 

Plot Summary:

For years, ZJ's dad has been everyone's favorite professional football player. His charismatic personality and talent on the field have made him a hero to his son, the neighborhood, and fans around the world. He is ZJ's role model and biggest fan. But suddenly something changes. He starts getting pounding headaches that won't go away. He is irritable and yells. He forgets words, places, memories, and people. ZJ and his mother watch on the sidelines while the person they love the most changes before their very eyes. As ZJ's dad's illness progresses, ZJ relies on his mom, his "boys," and his music to help him adjust to his new normal and hold on to his family unit.

 

Critical Analysis:

Before the Ever After is a relatively short novel in verse that lingers with the reader well beyond the last page. Set in 1999 and early 2000s, the story chronicles ZJ's emotional journey as he watches his father suffer from CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a then unknown illness after years of suffering concussions while playing professional football. Woodson's poetry sings on the page, jumping back and forth between vignettes that develop the plot and poems that focus on ZJ's feelings. The repetition, cadence, and tone of Woodson's poetry add to the authenticity of the novel inviting readers to experience the story right along with the characters.

ZJ's voice is pure as he narrates. It reads like a diary as he openly shares the confusion, hurt, and pain he is feeling. His authentic voice captures the fear of the unknown during this time for families of professional athletes. Many football players were experiencing similar symptoms but doctors did not have any answers. We see this authentic representation of the times throughout the novel when ZJ's dad is going to see another doctor for another treatment. As ZJ says, "Waiting. We're always waiting. Waiting for another doctor. Waiting for more tests. Waiting for test results. Waiting for new treatments" (Woodson 2020). His character is rich and complex, as are the minor characters of his father, mother, and friends.

In addition, the novel is rich in cultural details that reflect African-American experience. The dialogue between characters often includes words and phrases reflective of African-American culture including use of the word "Bruh" as a term of endearment and the phrase "just playing" to refer to joking around. ZJ also frequently takes pause throughout the novel to remember life with his dad before the headaches. He reflects on the bond they shared over music. His father used to say, "Make me a rhyme, little man" (Woodson, 2020) and ZJ would rap. The father-son duo would listen to hip-hop and create music together.  Music and language are used throughout the novel to show connections between the characters.

 

The story also shows an authentic experience of a Black family whose livelihood comes from professional sports. In one memory, ZJ's dad says, "What the house and the yard and the pool got to do with a guitar? Sometimes a parents going to give you something they wished they had when they were kids" (Woodson, 2020) ZJ's dad did not grow up with money, but his career allowed him to generously provide for his family. And while the family does have money and privileged now, the cost of that life has come at the expense of Zachariah Sr.'s physical and mental health. As his mind deteriorates and his career comes swiftly to an end, the family discovers their true friends. "We invited the people who keep coming around, the few friends who ask How are y'all doing and wait for our honest answers" (Woodson, 2020). While many people faded into the background of their lives, both ZJ and his mother have people to support and carry them through this difficult journey. ZJ's "boys" show up for him in every say and provide an unmatched support system for him.This cultural theme of friendship and the strength of extended family is repeatedly demonstrated throughout the novel. 

 

 

Review Excerpts & Awards: 

BOOKLIST (July, 2020) "Woodson again shows herself to be a masterful writer, and her meaningful exploration of concussions and head injuries in football, a subject rarely broached in middle-grade fiction, provides young athletes with necessary insights into sport's less glamorous side. In addition to this, it is a novel that explores family, mental illness, and the healing that a tight-knit, loving community can provide."

 

KIRKUS REVIEWS (July15, 2020) "Using spare and lyrical language for ZJ’s present-tense narration, which moves back and forth through time, Woodson skillfully portrays the confusion, fear, and sadness when a family member suffers from brain injury and the personality changes it brings. Readers see Zachariah Sr. through ZJ’s eyes and agonize with him as the strong, vibrant athlete begins to fade. The well-rounded secondary characters complete a mosaic of a loving African American family and their community of friends. The tale is set in the early 2000s, as awareness of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and its catastrophic consequences was beginning to emerge. A poignant and achingly beautiful narrative shedding light on the price of a violent sport."

•  Coretta Scott King Author Award, 2021
  

 Curricular Connections:

• Pair novel with a poetry lesson on poetic elements. Students use selected poems from the text to discuss figurative language, tone, and word choice.
  
• Have students write a poem about a small moment in their life as modeled in the text.
• Invite students to research more about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and what changes have been made to football safety equipment since the disease was discovered.