Margin Notes

Here are 10 reasons why I couldn’t put down And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps:

1. Joe
   Joseph Oak’s voice is real and raw and connects you to his struggles from the beginning of the story to the end. Joe keeps his truths hidden from his friends and people who care for him, yet his fear and pain ring loud and clear throughout his internal monologues. His story is a window to the strength and loneliness of kids who deal with hardship every day.
2. Novel in Verse
   The verse format works brilliantly for this story. It captures Joseph’s emotions in short, punchy lines that are filled with vulnerability, humor, and hope. The cadence of the story makes it a quick read, yet a deep one. This lyrical story will break your heart yet hope lingers.  
3. Depiction of Poverty
   Fipps presents poverty in a matter-of fact way and highlights the daily struggles. She portrays poverty with raw honesty, yet she humanizes Joseph by highlighting his courage and spark, making him more than just his struggles. 
4. Friendship
   Joseph’s best friends are absolute gems. Nick and Hakeem’s loyalty and unwavering support for Joe are a lifeline and support network throughout the story. These friendships are full of warmth, humor, and small acts of kindness that make a huge difference.
5. Comic Book Heroes
   Joe makes sense of his world through comic book superheroes. The comic book metaphors layered and laced throughout the story add depth to his character. His own heroic journey of survival mirrors the stories of the superheroes he admires, yet even superheroes need help sometimes. I love how the book begins and ends with Joe’s superheroes musings, framing his own journey. 
6. Grandmum
   Though she leaves us early in the story, Joe hangs on to her presence, their enduring bond and her love for him. She was and continues to be Joe’s anchor, the one who held everything together. Her love is a thread woven throughout Joe’s ups and downs and in-betweens.  
7. Dogs
   Even in Joe’s most difficult moments, he shows compassion when he rescues and cares for a stray dog and her pups. I loved how his empathy and the healing power of caring for others, even in tough times, mirrored his own need for connection, companionship, care and love.  
8. Humor and Hardship
   Fipp’s balance between humor and hardship keeps the story from feeling too heavy and it reminds the reader that there can be a duality between laughter and pain, it can coexist. Even in the toughest moments, there’s humor, whether it’s through Joe’s witty internal monologue or the banter with his friends. This balance between moments of joy and starks truth, made me think about my own life experiences when moments of sorrow coexisted with laughter.  
9. Hope
   The “and-thens and BOOMS!” some good but mostly bad make the moments of hope in this story hard-earned. Hope prevails through Joe’s friendships, his small victories, moments of kindness and connection, a stray dog and her pups, and the helpers who step in when least expected in the darkest moments. Joe’s quiet hope, even after all the “and-thens” and “booms” that shake his world, show the reader what it truly means to hope.  
10. A Story For Everyone
    And Then, Boom! shines a light on the experiences of kids living in poverty, kids with absent parents, kids who suffer the loss of a loved one, kids scared to ask for help, kids who live on the fringe of society and kids who have to grow up too fast. It’s a mirror for those who need it and a window for those who don’t understand this reality.