Booked

“* verbomania [vurb-oh-mey-nee-uh] noun: a crazed obsession for words. Every freakin’ day I have to read his ‘dictionary,’ which has freakin’ FOOTNOTES. That’s absurd to me. Kinda like ordering a glass of chocolate milk, then asking for chocolate syrup on the side. Seriously, who does that? SMH!”

Nick often uses footnotes throughout Booked to define advanced vocabulary words and add humorous commentary. These footnotes may also be of use to readers who are unfamiliar with the words and want to know more about them. The body of this poem sarcastically says that Nick’s dad has verbomania. Nick further criticizes his dad’s intense focus on words in the footnote.

“The expression ‘to nip something in the bud’ 

is an example of what, Nicholas? 

Uh, to nip it in the butt

is an example of 

how to get slapped by a girl, you reply [...]”

In Honors English class, Ms. Hardwick catches Nick daydreaming about soccer and asks him a pointed question so he’ll pay attention. Nick’s response shows how he uses humor to handle uncomfortable situations and make others laugh. Ms. Hardwick penalizes Nick with an extra assignment based on this malapropism, and Nick is irritated since he dislikes school.

“Nick, Dallas is gonna be insane, Coby texts. 

On fire like butane, you respond. 

My team’s coming through like a freight train. 

We’re taking off like a jet plane. 

Well, I’ve scored more goals than you. 

Well, I’m on the better team.”

The poems in Booked sometimes portray text messages, like these playful texts between Coby and Nick. As best friends on rival soccer teams, they regularly boast about their skills and the success of their teams. These lines also contain the poetic sound device of rhyme (insane, butane, train, and plane). The texts also use figurative language: Several similes compare soccer games with unlike things, such as a plane.