45 pages • 1 hour read
Mary Rand Hess, Kwame AlexanderA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
“Who am I? // I am / the wretched son / of a poor / rich man. // I do not hate / my life. […] My life is hmmm, / inconvenient.”
Blade describes his dysfunctional, rock star father, with details of wild afterparties and consequent negative coverage in the press. This quote is the first time Blade introduces himself, and that he describes himself as “wretched” and his father as “poor” despite being materially rich, demonstrates the significance of Blade’s resentment toward his father.
“But it would be the most romantic thing you’ve ever done // for me. And people would be talking about it for months.”
Chapel’s preoccupation with Blade creating a song for her in the moment he contemplates creating a song for the high school commencement illustrates her immaturity. Blade has the honor to give the speech, as the valedictorian has become ill, and instead, she attempts to convince Blade to create a performative love song about her.
“I Can’t Say I Blame Him // My family / stands for / too much / and not enough. // Too much celebrity / not enough dignity. / Too much excess / not enough kindness. // Too much Yes. / Not enough No / to drugs / to crude behavior / to breaking the law / to rock & roll.”
Though he doesn’t agree, Blade understands why Chapel’s father has forbidden Chapel from seeing him, emphasizing The Impact of Addiction and Fame on Family. This passage further provides context for Blade’s resentment toward Rutherford as he’s unable to enjoy a romantic relationship due to his father’s actions while struggling with substance abuse disorder.
By these authors
Becoming Muhammad Ali
James Patterson, Kwame Alexander
Booked
Kwame Alexander
Rebound
Kwame Alexander
Swing
Mary Rand Hess, Kwame Alexander
The Crossover
Kwame Alexander
The Door of No Return
Kwame Alexander
The Undefeated
Kwame Alexander
Addiction
View Collection
Appearance Versus Reality
View Collection
Art
View Collection
Brothers & Sisters
View Collection
Class
View Collection
Class
View Collection
Colonialism & Postcolonialism
View Collection
Coming-of-Age Journeys
View Collection
Community
View Collection
Daughters & Sons
View Collection
Diverse Voices (High School)
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Fathers
View Collection
Forgiveness
View Collection
Grief
View Collection
Guilt
View Collection
Hate & Anger
View Collection
Memory
View Collection
Mortality & Death
View Collection
Mothers
View Collection
Music
View Collection
New York Times Best Sellers
View Collection
Novels & Books in Verse
View Collection
Popular Study Guides
View Collection
Pride & Shame
View Collection
Realistic Fiction (High School)
View Collection
The Power & Perils of Fame
View Collection
Trust & Doubt
View Collection
Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love
View Collection