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Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer
Kofi had a brilliant idea, like a lightning strike, and with Kelvin's amazing word memory, they could make it work. Kofi's used to trouble, but this time, he saw an opportunity. Their school loves music, but no one can understand the lyrics. So, Kofi and Kelvin started 'Paper Jam', a fanzine with song lyrics. Soon, a teacher saw Kofi's potential, saying he could be a real leader. Suddenly, Kofi's summer was looking amazing!
- GenresMiddle Grade
256 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2023
3 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 16, 2023
Would be good to study with a class but there would be a fair bit that would need to be explained as it's set in 1994 and there are referenced to things kids wouldn't have a clue about now (rewinding the tape in your walkman to copy down the lyrics, visiting the arcade to play computer games). Good themes and some fantastic vocabulary but some fairly grown up bits too. It's not a tricky read but I would say best for mature Y6 or 7.
June 1, 2023
A more upbeat (and child-friendly) 8 Mile!
That's one part to this book anyway. Rap battles form a key part of the plot, but really this is a story of friendship between two boys, one of whom (Kofi) is a energetic wannabee-entrepreneur, the other (Kelvin) held back despite a photographic memory by his stutter and shyness.
Their staid school is often punishing Kofi for his behaviour, and pupils have started secretly performing battles of words (insults) in breaks, one-upping each other with an audience looking on admiringly. Kofi spots both an opportunity and a gap in the market when he finds Kelvin can memorise lyrics to popular songs other kids want to learn, and a surreptitious magazine is born.
Of course, problems must ensue for the plot - and tests of friendship loyalty, local bullies, his uncle and girlfriend moving in all vie for a place in the story.
I was surprised at the narrative decision to have multiple voices each taking paragraphs, sharing the story. Not something I'm used to. While it worked fine, it felt a little disjointed and the rule of 'show don't tell' of exposition was broken a few times, some things didn't need explaining to the audience who could have worked things out for themselves.
The evolution to rap battles was quickly moved into, the book also swiftly shifts through points that could have been darker, probably as the audience is likely to be primary school-aged. It's kept light and easily solvable each time a problem arises.
A quick read for ages 9-12.
That's one part to this book anyway. Rap battles form a key part of the plot, but really this is a story of friendship between two boys, one of whom (Kofi) is a energetic wannabee-entrepreneur, the other (Kelvin) held back despite a photographic memory by his stutter and shyness.
Their staid school is often punishing Kofi for his behaviour, and pupils have started secretly performing battles of words (insults) in breaks, one-upping each other with an audience looking on admiringly. Kofi spots both an opportunity and a gap in the market when he finds Kelvin can memorise lyrics to popular songs other kids want to learn, and a surreptitious magazine is born.
Of course, problems must ensue for the plot - and tests of friendship loyalty, local bullies, his uncle and girlfriend moving in all vie for a place in the story.
I was surprised at the narrative decision to have multiple voices each taking paragraphs, sharing the story. Not something I'm used to. While it worked fine, it felt a little disjointed and the rule of 'show don't tell' of exposition was broken a few times, some things didn't need explaining to the audience who could have worked things out for themselves.
The evolution to rap battles was quickly moved into, the book also swiftly shifts through points that could have been darker, probably as the audience is likely to be primary school-aged. It's kept light and easily solvable each time a problem arises.
A quick read for ages 9-12.
April 28, 2023
This book is really fun. Kofi is such a cool character. I loved reading about all of his entrepreneurial antics. Musical Truths is a favourite book of mine to read to the children in my school. I love finding the tracks on Spotify, listening and discussing them with the children. This book is equally filled with music, mainly tracks from the 80s and I think parents will enjoy the throwbacks if they're reading it with their children. One of the important lessons Kofi learns in this book is what it means to be a true friend and that "coolness" does not equal kindness. The book tackles aspects of racism and what it can be like to live on an estate where you can't always trust those around you. Although, Kofi also realises that you can't always judge someone by how they look... sometimes they might turn out to be just as much of a video game fan as you!
October 4, 2023
This is Jeffrey Boakye’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more of his books already!
This is a brilliant middle grade story featuring Kofi, a Year 7 who starts his own business selling lyrical magazines, he is joined by his friend Kelvin.
There are some large themes in the book such as choosing to be kind rather than trying to be cool – really important value for children of all ages to understand.
I really enjoyed the 80’s music references, which some parents will as well! The book also tackles racism and living in a place where you cannot always trust your neighbours.
Highly recommend for Year 6 upwards
This is a brilliant middle grade story featuring Kofi, a Year 7 who starts his own business selling lyrical magazines, he is joined by his friend Kelvin.
There are some large themes in the book such as choosing to be kind rather than trying to be cool – really important value for children of all ages to understand.
I really enjoyed the 80’s music references, which some parents will as well! The book also tackles racism and living in a place where you cannot always trust your neighbours.
Highly recommend for Year 6 upwards
August 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this book.
It is about a Year 7 named Kofi who has a very entrepreneurial mind. He has a friend called Kelvin, who is quite shy and has a stutter, but has a photographic memory. In his school, there are often insult battles during breaktimes, which gather huge crowds. Kofi has an idea to create a magazine full of all the songs that kids at his school would want to learn, and enlists Kelvin for help.
Overall, it is very enjoyable, and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you're a fan of music.
It is about a Year 7 named Kofi who has a very entrepreneurial mind. He has a friend called Kelvin, who is quite shy and has a stutter, but has a photographic memory. In his school, there are often insult battles during breaktimes, which gather huge crowds. Kofi has an idea to create a magazine full of all the songs that kids at his school would want to learn, and enlists Kelvin for help.
Overall, it is very enjoyable, and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you're a fan of music.
May 2, 2023
Perfect for kids of all ages and brilliant for anyone growing up in the 90's, so much nostalgia. It deals with race in an honest straight forward way, I particularly like the part where they challenge each other to spot a black person on TV. The arrest scene is very poignant and you can't help but read it as this would be different if they were white. I loved the extended family, particularly Jeanette and I am fascinated by what Brown Stew is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2023
Man, this was great. Kofi and his family are full of fun and joy… and even when he’s getting into bother there’s so much love to be had. I loved this tale of unlikely rap stars, the power of music and family. This just proper made me smile… and I raced through it! This brought me so much 90s nostalgia joy! I reckon my Y6s are gonna adore this!
June 21, 2023
OMG!! What a book!! Just fell in love with the characters, the story, the messages and just the fun. Can’t wait for the second in the series.
June 30, 2023
Wonderful
June 27, 2024
You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
August 2, 2024
This book was hilarious full of funny exploits by the main character. I also enjoyed the Caribbean cultural references. The book was well written and a joy to read!
August 21, 2025
Loved this for some 90s London nostalgia. Important threads of race, class and privilege running through this too.
December 3, 2023
I loved this story! Kofi and his family were well drawn and absolutely delightful. Kofi has a constant eye on the next great scheme and his struggles with loyalty and the need to survive the brutal world of teenage boys are very believable. A brush with the law reminds the reader that young, black boys have to navigate a particular path unlike their white counterparts. I look forward to reading more about Kofi.
June 10, 2023
Stories with a school setting are quite commonplace for middle grade readers but in Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer we find that Jeffrey Boakye is giving us a standout story. Not only is this the first title in a brand-new series but it promises hilarity, music, snappy dialogue, familiar settings, and a slip back in time. Slipping back to a time and to music more familiar to grown up readers, that may well find itself on the playlist of young readers, the 90s features strongly in this promising title. I loved the advance proof copy I read, complete with its cassette tape image on the front cover – will children know what one is?!
The story. Let us get to that. Kofi, he of the title, is eleven years old and, like many of his age is focusing his time and energy on getting through school, at least that is what he thinks he is doing but he is doing more, so much more. As well as school here is earning pocket money and trying to stay out of trouble on his estate. Because Kofi is a natural entrepreneur it seems obvious to him that there must be a way to make money. A way that makes use of the photographic memory of his friend Kelvin, and the lines of every single song he has ever heard that he can remember. Welcome Paper Jam – their fanzine of song lyrics. Popular with the pupils but less so with the teachers, how will Kofi get himself out of this jam?
The story. Let us get to that. Kofi, he of the title, is eleven years old and, like many of his age is focusing his time and energy on getting through school, at least that is what he thinks he is doing but he is doing more, so much more. As well as school here is earning pocket money and trying to stay out of trouble on his estate. Because Kofi is a natural entrepreneur it seems obvious to him that there must be a way to make money. A way that makes use of the photographic memory of his friend Kelvin, and the lines of every single song he has ever heard that he can remember. Welcome Paper Jam – their fanzine of song lyrics. Popular with the pupils but less so with the teachers, how will Kofi get himself out of this jam?
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews