Skip to main content

The Crossover

 Cover image for The crossover
The Crossover
by Kwame Alexander
Houghton Mifflin, 2014. Fiction

Josh and Jordan Bell are middle-school-aged twins who are both basketball proteges.  The boys make an unstoppable team on court and are leading their school in a undefeated season.  The twins have always been close, until a new girl moves into town.  Jordan's growing relationship with the new girl forces a wedge between the brothers. At the same time both boys worry about their father who used to be a pro ball player, but now suffers from health problems.  When Josh's hurt feelings lead him to make a bad choice, more than the basketball championship is at risk.

Alexander's fast-moving novel is written in verse.  Some sections have the pulsing beat of rap music while others are written in more reflective free verse.  It is a great choice to give to a reluctant reader who is a sports fan. This quick read, full of heart and exciting basketball action, well deserves its Newbery medal.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: The House with Nobody in It

  The House with Nobody in It By Jon Klassen Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2026. Board Book.  The House with Nobody in It may very well be your child's first ghost story. The simple story begins with the narrator explaining to readers that this house used to have someone in it, but there is now nobody there. Toddlers and preschoolers will love contradicting this statement as they peek through the house that the board book forms, as the ghost is clearly visible throughout the story.  This unique and imaginative board book is the perfect thing to read during Halloween season! The book itself plays into the experience, with cutouts and clever turns that make it especially interactive. The illustrations are superb, simple but well crafted, adding to the story's theme as a whole. This will likely be a book that gets many repeat reads!

Display: Teddy's Top Picks

  Bear in the Air Written by Susan Meyers Illustrated by Amy Bates New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010. Picture book. When a teddy bear is lost by the child who loves him, the bear begins an adventurous journey to get back home again. -- Editor Blanket and Bear, A Remarkable Pair Written by L.J.R. Kelly Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2013. Picture book. When a boy loses his beloved blanket and bear, they travel a great distance to make their way back to him. -- Editor A Bear to Share Written by Jessica Alba, Nora Weinstein, and Kelly Patricof  Illustrated by Alicia Mas New York, NY : Baby2Baby/Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021. Picture book. Tiana loves her teddy bear, Bach. She doesn't mind that he's a little worn and somewhat torn. So when her mother suggests she make room for a new bear, Tiana can't believe her ears! Will Tiana have to lose the one bear she really loves? Or will she find room in her heart for t...

De la hora del cuento: La letra "E"

  Cuentos Mi perro solo hable español Por Andrea Cáceres Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2023. Libro ilustrado. "Cuando Aurora llegó a los Estados Unidos, aprendió a hablar inglés, pero Nena, su spaniel, no. Por eso, cuando pasea a Nena, Aurora les explica a sus nuevos amigos que su mascota solo habla español ..." --Editor Cuentitos Colores Por Joel Sartore Washington, DC : National Geographic Partners, LLC, 2025. Libro ilustrado. "El National Geographic Photo Ark es una iniciativa plurianual para concienciar y encontrar soluciones a algunos de los problemas más urgentes que afectan a la vida silvestre y sus hábitats. El proyecto busca documentar todas las especies que viven en zoológicos y santuarios de vida silvestre del mundo, inspirar acciones a través de la educación y ayudar a salvar la vida silvestre apoyando iniciativas de conservación sobre el terreno." --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "E" Papá Monstruo y el bosque de las emocion...