Award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson’s novel Before the Ever After is a middle-grade novel written in verse and published in 2020. Set in 2000, it chronicles the memories of ZJ, the son of famous football player Zachariah “44” Johnson Sr, who grapples with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from football injuries. It is a story of a family coping with a harsh reality—and emphasizes themes of hope and family in dark times.
At the beginning of the story, ZJ feels like the shadow of his father in front of reporters and people who don’t know him personally, but with his family and friends, he feels seen and happy. ZJ and his father have a very close relationship, often doing all sorts of things together whenever his father is not away at a game, such as going to Central Park, writing songs together, and going on trips. Zachariah also tells ZJ stories of when he was growing up, and ZJ looks up to him. When Zachariah starts losing his memory and getting headaches, ZJ copes through his passion for music and spending time with his friends. As his father’s condition worsens, ZJ’s mother takes him from doctor to doctor searching for answers, and as the family grapples with confusion and loss, they cling to the memories of life – when his dad was happy, when they could write songs and dance together, and when his mom didn’t always look tired and sad.
Woodson’s writing is both melodic and crisp, and the story is beautifully told through a series of poems. The story greatly utilizes “show, don’t tell.” Rather than giving tons of exposition, we learn a little more about the characters in each chapter through their actions and decisions. The characters are complex and multilayered, each grappling with their own issues and identities, but themes tie them together through the addressing of issues such as grief, mental health, and healing, and each chapter focuses on a particular theme that ties into the overall message of the narrative.
There are so many themes in this novel that one can relate to. Even if you haven’t had a family member with CTE, the connections between ZJ and his friends, ZJ’s personal struggles with his identity, and the little moments between family members are all parts of the book that everyone can relate to. I personally related a lot to ZJ’s journey of reliving the little moments with his loved ones and cherishing the time they spent together, finding his passion for music, and learning to be his own person rather than a shadow of his father.
The novel’s themes are heavy and it’s unafraid to deal with tragic or complicated topics. It’s a great book for those who are looking for a story about family, connection, grief, and healing. I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
