Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson’s “Before the Ever After” tells the story of ZJ and his father, a town legend and professional football player. Over time, ZJ notices that his dad’s moods are changing, his memory is slipping, and ZJ learns that his dad has sustained head injuries that altered his personality. ZJ’s story is about how he learns to cope with this new life, and how he can find new ways to connect with his father.