Written in prose

Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Image result for crossover by kwame alexander summary

The use of prose and rap in this book was amazing and easy to follow. Crossover is a story about a boy named Josh and his twin brother Jordan who struggles with loss and love. The one thing they have in common is the love of basketball in which they both hope to play in college and against each other. The book narrates Josh's story and his struggle at first which his close relationship with his brother Jordan "JB" because of his relationship with a girl. Being the sons of a basketball superstar named Chuck Bell as your dad puts alot of pressure on both boys. The tensions run higher throughout the story for the brothers who play basketball together but have squabbles on the court too. The only thing that changes this is that their dad has a heart attack. They experience loss as their dad falls to a third heart attack and dies. This ending is one that creates a bigger connection with the two brothers that they become inseparable.

I would use this novel as a read aloud to young adult readers. I would have many discussions about relationships, changes in life we go through and all of the many aspects of people changing as they grow during their teen years. Here is another book that I read many times in my library by the author himself.




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