Booked

Nick’s mom is funny, compassionate, wise, and loving. She moves to Kentucky to train a horse for the Kentucky Derby and separates from Nick’s dad. While she’s away, she calls and texts Nick often and sends a joking text message when he doesn’t respond: “My dear Nicky, I’m / assuming you’ve been eaten / by a black mamba [...]” (95). Whenever she comes back, Nick’s mom tries to behave as if nothing is wrong, although Nick can tell that tension remains between his parents. She bonds with her son through friendly competition like Ping-Pong and soccer games. During an emotional scene in Nick’s hospital room, his mom apologizes for prioritizing her career too much and hugs his dad. Although they reconcile in that moment, Nick’s mom and dad still divorce, saying they can’t resolve their differences.

Nick’s dad is “a linguistics professor / with chronic verbomania*” (4). His dad also wrote Weird and Wonderful Words, a dictionary he makes Nick memorize because he wants his son to succeed in college and beyond. After Nick’s mom moves, Nick’s dad continues to be the strict parent and struggles to communicate well with his son. He also hangs out with friends Nick knows nothing about and has a large following on social media, suggesting that his book is a great success. Nick’s dad has passed on his talent for language to Nick and hopes to cultivate that in his son, even when Nick resists him. Nick’s dad finally opens up to his son one night during dinner and describes how he responded to a childhood bully like Nick’s. This conversation helps mend the division between father and son, and Nick’s dad goes on to show his more playful side.

Mr. MacDonald is the librarian at Langston Hughes Middle School of the Arts. He is “a corny-joke-cracking, / seven-foot / bowling fanatic / with a reddish mohawk / who wears funny T-shirts [...]” (46). A Grammy-winning rap producer, Mr. MacDonald spends his days encouraging students to read great books. He appeals to Nick’s intelligence and humor and suggests books Nick should read. Mr. MacDonald is quirky, observant, friendly, and kind, as well as fixated on dragonflies. As a testament to their friendship, Mr. MacDonald gives Nick a book, his bowling bag, and his secretive dragonfly box when he moves away to be with Ms. Hardwick the English teacher.

Coby is Nick’s best friend. Throughout Booked, Nick and Coby talk, text, practice soccer, play FIFA online, and practice blackjack on the school bus and in the library. The poetic speaker contrasts Nick’s love of soccer with Coby’s: “You absolutely love soccer. / But Coby’s married to it” (27). Nick feels comfortable opening up with Coby about things he won’t discuss with his parents. Coby also has parents who are separated and can empathize with his friend about his hardship. Coby is Singaporean and Ghanaian, and he supports the soccer teams of both nations. When Nick’s teammate insults him before a soccer game, Nick observes Coby’s smile and realizes, “He’s ready to pounce” (178). In this and other scenes, Coby does not back down from fights and behaves aggressively when provoked. He is a foil for Nick’s more passive approach during conflict. 

Nick begins his story with a crush on April, a classmate and fellow attendee at Miss Quattlebaum’s School of Etiquette. An avid reader, April participates in The Mac’s Nerds and Words book club. She appreciates Nick’s extensive vocabulary as well as his skills on the soccer field. She takes initiative and is confident around Nick even when he’s nervous. She also stands up for herself around the brutish Dean Eggleston and invites the ladies from the book club over to Nick’s house, demonstrating her boldness and openness in new situations. By the end of the story, Nick calls April his girlfriend.

The Eggleston twins bully Nick, as well as Coby and April. Nick fears and avoids them, but he must face them several times in Booked. At first, Nick watches helplessly as these “pit-bull mean / eighth grade tyrants / with beards” (38) give Coby a black eye, flirt with April, and steal his bike. Nick is relieved once they are kicked out of his school for their racism and cruelty toward Coby. Once Nick learns how to intimidate these bullies, he faces them both at a pool party. Dean winds up in the pool, and Don punches Nick. They also return Nick’s bike when they leave.