The Crossover

Justification

The Crossover is a Newbery Medal winning book. This book was also a Coretta Scott King Author Honor book. Additionally, The Crossover was starred in the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Kirkus Reviews, Library Media Connection, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Voices of Youth Advocates. This book is frequently checked out by students in the middle school grades, especially by young men. Many of which have praised the book themselves.

Evaluation

Style is what Kwame Alexander excels at. In a chapter about the last few seconds in a basketball game, he writes:

The game is tied

when JB’s soft jumper sails,

tick

through the air.

tock

The crowd stills,

tick

mouths drop,

tock

and when his last-second shot

tick

hits net,

tock

The clock stops.

The gym explodes. Its hard bleachers

empty

and my head

aches.

Alexander’s style is clearly depicted throughout the entire novel. Time and time again, he illustrates his unique skill with words and page spacing. The style of the writing keeps you on the edge, wanting to know more, giving just enough information but allowing your mind to experience the sight and even the sound of it.

All the characters are believable and unique. Even with a character who is a twin, there are clear differences and a feel to each one as an individual. Josh, the narrator, is 14 and loves two things- basketball and his hair. His brother JB develops a love interest that Josh only calls Miss Sweet Tea. Each character is brought to life on the pages of this book. The boys’ mother is clearly a stern but loving mother and principal who tells her boys to read every night.

In The Crossover Kwame Alexander weaves a plot in a unique manner. Each poem slowly adds to the big picture. You might not know what happens before and after each scene, but the reader definitely feels each scene and understands its progression in the plot. Alexander uses definitions and basketball “rules” to keep pace with the plot. Each section keeps the story moving in a swift manner.

Conclusion

The Crossover is recommended for readers in late middle school and up. The plot, characters and style are enjoyable for readers of all ages. This book will definitely interest young boys who have an interest in sports. Because it is written in verse, The Crossover could also be a great choice for struggling or reluctant readers. The Crossover is a delightful book to read or listen to.

Citation

Alexander, K. (2014). The crossover. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.