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The Crossover

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'The Crossover' by Kwame Alexander is a novel written in verse that tells the story of twin brothers, Josh and Jordan, who are basketball stars in middle school. The book explores the challenges the brothers face as they navigate family dynamics, basketball championships, and personal struggles. Through the use of poetry, the author captures the emotions, excitement, and rhythm of the sports world while delving into themes of love, loss, and the importance of family relationships.

The book's narrative follows Josh Bell's journey as he copes with his twin brother's growing distance due to a new romantic relationship, his father's health issues, and the pressures of school and basketball. As the brothers face obstacles and changes in their lives, the story highlights the bond between them and the impact of their choices on their family. 'The Crossover' blends elements of sports, family dynamics, and personal growth in a unique and engaging format that resonates with readers of all ages.

Characters:

The characters display rich emotional depth, portraying relatable struggles of identity, jealousy, and the strong bond of brotherhood within a loving family.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is dynamic and engaging, employing free verse poetry to enhance the storytelling experience and connect deeply with the characters' emotions.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on twin brothers navigating their basketball journey, familial relationships, and personal conflicts, particularly as they face the challenges of adolescence and their father's health issues.

Setting:

The setting revolves around a modern middle school and family life, intertwined with basketball culture and community dynamics.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick and energetic, mirroring the rhythm of a basketball game while effectively conveying character development and emotional peaks.

Notes:

The Crossover is about twin brothers named Josh and Jordan who love basketball.
It's a novel written in verse, which makes it unique and engaging.
The story explores themes of family, sibling rivalry, and personal growth.
Josh's father, a former professional basketball player, struggles with health issues throughout the book.
The book highlights the tension between the twins as one starts dating, causing jealousy and conflict.
The writing incorporates basketball terminology and rules that parallel life lessons.
The book won the 2015 Newbery Medal for its outstanding contribution to children's literature.
Josh Bell, the main character, narrates the story with a strong voice and poetic style, using rhythm and rhyme.
The narrative includes elements of hip hop and jazz music, reflecting their cultural background.
Despite the focus on basketball, the book covers deeper emotional struggles, making it relatable to non-sports fans.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of grief, health issues (heart problems), and the emotional struggles related to family dynamics.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in The Crossover, particularly involving the character Jordan and his girlfriend, which creates tension between the twin brothers.

From The Publisher:

Josh and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood. He's got mad beats too, beats that tell his family's story in verse. But both brothers must come to grips with growing up, on and off the court, as they realize breaking the rules can come at a terrible price, resulting in a game-changer for their entire family.

Winner of the 2015 Newbery Medal

Ratings (3)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (10):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (4)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

Incredible
9 months

Loved it.

 
 
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