The comparisons are inevitable. When one writes a book as lauded as "Crossover" was, the follow-up will be compared, whether the author intended it to be, or not. "Booked" is, and isn't, the same as "Crossover." Both are verse novels with similar graphical layout provided by the publisher. Both have Middle School boys who love sports and like girls. Both have rivalry between the boys and their brother or friend, and both have boys who seem somewhat more mature than their Middle School ages. After that, however, there are differences. "Crossover" is about twin brothers who excel at Basketball, "Booked" is about a boy obsessed with Soccer. Both are family tales, but very different families. In "Crossover" it's an essentially strong family which is ripped apart, while in "Booked" it's a family with a lot of fault lines which are only temporarily repaired. I saw the ending of "Crossover" coming, I was surprised by "Booked." The nice rhythms and subtle humor are still there, but there are fewer concrete poems in "Booked." That being said, "Booked" has some interesting and unique takes on how to create new literature from old -- blacking out words and phrases to create secret messages. The whole book is very much a play on words, something that can bring readers back time and again and motivate them to create something themselves. "Booked" didn't have the emotional impact of "Crossover" but then that first book by Mr. Alexander felt visceral and personal -- this one is mostly fun with a good dose of the reality of human complexities thrown in. It's an engaging read, and should satisfy those who loved "Crossover."
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