The Crossover

5.0 (2)

0.0 (0)

175 0

Write Review Add to favorites

Author(s)

Kwame Alexander

Genre(s)

Age Range

11+

Release Date

March 18, 2014

ISBN

9780544289598

Buy This Book

""With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering, "" announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He 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, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood from Kwame Alexander ("He Said, She Said" 2013). Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.

Editor reviews

4 reviews

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0(2)

Characters

5.0(2)

Writing Style

5.0(2)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A(0)

Couldn't Put this One Down

March 20, 2017 (Updated: March 20, 2017)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

N/A

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

From the moment I heard Kwame Alexander read aloud a selection from his books, I knew I needed to pick them all up. Crossover is one of Kwame Alexander's finest works. Growing up I was never a big poetry fan, but after reading Crossover, I found myself not only reading more of Alexander's work, but other books written in prose format.

What I liked best:
Josh and J.B are realistic characters who face challenges on and off the court While the book centers around basketball, you don't have to be a basketball or sports fan to love this book. Their story line is engaging. Crossover is a hard book to put down. Even the most reluctant readers were hooked from page one and were running to bookshelves to grab Booked. Kwame Alexander's word play is addictive and even I couldn't wait to get my hands on more of his writing.

This book is a fabulous read for sports fans and anyone who loves a good story. Even if you don't think of yourself as a "poetry person", give this book a shot. I bet you won't be able to put it down. As a teacher, I have seen even the most reluctant reader devour this book wanting more. If you ever get the chance to hear Kwame Alexander read his writing aloud- definetely take a listen.

Good Points

Narrative poetry
Addictive
Read it in one sitting

Joanne Mumley, Twitter Manager Top 50 Reviewer 217 reviews

Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 2 0

A gripping, thrilling page-turner

June 14, 2014

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

N/A

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Once you start you won't be able to stop.

Josh is serious. About basketball. About family. About his hair. He's a 12 year-old basketball star, son of an international sports icon, and in a constant friendly competition with his twin brother, Jordan. But Josh's life isn't all swish and net. He gets nervous before games. His dad won't go to the doctor. His brother is suddenly ignoring him for a girl.

When Josh loses a bet with his brother he ends up losing more than a few dread-locks. He loses his vision and his confidence. Josh has to find a way back to his brother's side while managing the stress from his mom and dad's fights and the pressure of the upcoming basketball tournaments.

Told in striking verse, THE CROSSOVER never gets boring. Let's be honest, here: I don't like sports. I don't play sports, I don't like watching sports, I don't talk about sports, and I know almost nothing. About. Sports. But that didn't stop me from reading this entire book in one sitting. I was hooked. I was a rough, orange ball spinning around on Josh Bell's fingertip, following his every move. I couldn't stop reading. The prose is twisty, windy, rhythmic and addicting. It mirrors Josh's thoughts, his frame of mind, his emotions and needs and it's like a rollercoaster that you don't want to get off.

There wasn't anything I wanted more from this book. It was a great story, told in a perfect way, and it ended with just the right amount of drama and emotion. I would highly recommend THE CROSSOVER to any and all sports fans, to middle grade students looking for a fast read, and to those looking for something new and interesting that's outside of your comfort zone.