Before the Ever After

Twelve-year-old ZJ is the son of an all-star professional football player and he and the rest of their community idolize ZJ’s dad. ZJ and his mom learn, though, about the negative side of contact sports when his dad experiences the impact of head trauma and the terrible affects it has on him and the family. On this difficult journey, ZJ learns to cope with the help of his supportive mom, close friends, and music. This engaging realistic novel, written in verse, will allow mature students to explore loss, love, grief, the power of friendship and belonging, healing, sports culture, and sports and safety.