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WINNER OF THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD
WINNER OF THE CORETTA SCOTT KING AUTHOR AWARD National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson's stirring novel-in-verse explores how a family moves forward when their glory days have passed and the cost of professional sports on Black bodies. For as long as ZJ can remember, his dad has been everyone's hero. As a charming, talented pro football star, he's as beloved to the neighborhood kids he plays with as he is to his millions of adoring sports fans. But lately life at ZJ's house is anything but charming. His dad is having trouble remembering things and seems to be angry all the time. ZJ's mom explains it's because of all the head injuries his dad sustained during his career. ZJ can understand that--but it doesn't make the sting any less real when his own father forgets his name. As ZJ contemplates his new reality, he has to figure out how to hold on tight to family traditions and recollections of the glory days, all the while wondering what their past amounts to if his father can't remember it. And most importantly, can those happy feelings ever be reclaimed when they are all so busy aching for the past? |
Activity 1:
Complete this activity worksheet.
Activity 2:
In Before the Ever After, JZ's dad gets CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy). What is that? Do some research on it and present it to me in your choice of presentation. It can be in writing, poster form, oral presentation - your choice.
Activity 3:
Throughout the Covid19 pandemic, we have heard many references to “the new normal,” accompanied by a strong longing to return to ‘normal.’ For many families who have suffered losses during this time period, this is a paradox. They know that a return to normal is not possible and that they will continue to need to navigate change, loss, and grief even when restrictions are lifted. Woodson’s poem “Back Then” plays on the football term ‘holding’ to share ZJ’s struggles with his changing reality: “I feel like someone’s holding us, keeping us from getting back to where we were before and keeping us from the next place too.” How do you relate to the quote and how do you feel differently? Reflect on the concept of “normal.” Compose a free verse poem exploring your experiences of life before, during, and after the pandemic. Do you, like ZJ, think you can ever be normal again?
Complete this activity worksheet.
Activity 2:
In Before the Ever After, JZ's dad gets CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy). What is that? Do some research on it and present it to me in your choice of presentation. It can be in writing, poster form, oral presentation - your choice.
Activity 3:
Throughout the Covid19 pandemic, we have heard many references to “the new normal,” accompanied by a strong longing to return to ‘normal.’ For many families who have suffered losses during this time period, this is a paradox. They know that a return to normal is not possible and that they will continue to need to navigate change, loss, and grief even when restrictions are lifted. Woodson’s poem “Back Then” plays on the football term ‘holding’ to share ZJ’s struggles with his changing reality: “I feel like someone’s holding us, keeping us from getting back to where we were before and keeping us from the next place too.” How do you relate to the quote and how do you feel differently? Reflect on the concept of “normal.” Compose a free verse poem exploring your experiences of life before, during, and after the pandemic. Do you, like ZJ, think you can ever be normal again?