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| Photo retrieved from Amazon.com |
A. Bibliography
Alexander, Kwame. THE CROSSOVER. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014.
ISBN 9780544107717
B. Review and Critical Analysis
THE CROSSOVER is an amazingly well-structured novel written in free-verse. The novel presents various life themes and genuine life changes that families undergo as they grow together. The novel is divided into six sections, including basketball quarters, with a graphic that accompanies the sections. The first section is called the Warm-Up, then the four Quarters, and the final section is called Overtime. It is written from the first-person perspective of Josh, the main character of the novel. The writing style took a few pages to adjust to, and the rhythm had to set in naturally. As the reader "warms-up," the reading becomes almost musical and rhythmic. The basketball terminology may take some adjusting to if the reader is not very articulate in basketball lingo. Alexander uses symbolism throughout the book, with the major symbol being the game of basketball.
Conversation in the novel is differentiated by italics and regular print. This makes it easier to understand who is saying what. Alexander defines numerous words presented in the novel in several ways, giving perspective to the word and how it relates to the story. For example, he presents how the word profusely can be used to described an apology, and the way it can be used to describe a bleeding nose. Alexander's presentation of words in this manner let the reader stop and look back in the novel for the word. I found a consequence of this feature is that a second reading of the poem is far more powerful than the first reading.
The author uses the words of the some of the poems as visuals. For example, the words appear to fall as the ball does, and the excitement of the game is shown with bigger and bolder words, and sometimes in all capital letters. This feature feels like the electrifying highlights of a game on television, but may be a bit of a distraction until the reader adjusts to the style. However, this style may provide a middle school reader with enough play by play action to keep them in the reading game. The poetry moves fast enough to keep the reader moving page to page, and delivers powerful emotional energy throughout the book.
In CROSSOVER, the Bell family is compromised of twin brothers, Josh and JB, and their parents. The middle school aged boys are phenomenal basketball players, and have a close and loving relationship with their father, mother, and each other, Their mother is the assistant principal at their school, and the father does not work because of health reasons. Alexander eludes in the beginning that the father suffers from major health ailments, which the reader finds out later is hypertension. This health issue will ultimately change the course of the family's lives. Although the parents argue at times over his health, the books insinuates a strong marriage behind closed doors. The twin boys are in sync with each other, knowing each other's next move as twins often do. This is even referenced to when they go to eat Chinese food and JB knows what Josh wants from the buffet without even asking him. However, Josh later struggles with JB's interest in the new girl, as she pulls him away from his brother and basketball.
THE CROSSOVER is an amazingly well-structured novel written in free-verse. The novel presents various life themes and genuine life changes that families undergo as they grow together. The novel is divided into six sections, including basketball quarters, with a graphic that accompanies the sections. The first section is called the Warm-Up, then the four Quarters, and the final section is called Overtime. It is written from the first-person perspective of Josh, the main character of the novel. The writing style took a few pages to adjust to, and the rhythm had to set in naturally. As the reader "warms-up," the reading becomes almost musical and rhythmic. The basketball terminology may take some adjusting to if the reader is not very articulate in basketball lingo. Alexander uses symbolism throughout the book, with the major symbol being the game of basketball.
Conversation in the novel is differentiated by italics and regular print. This makes it easier to understand who is saying what. Alexander defines numerous words presented in the novel in several ways, giving perspective to the word and how it relates to the story. For example, he presents how the word profusely can be used to described an apology, and the way it can be used to describe a bleeding nose. Alexander's presentation of words in this manner let the reader stop and look back in the novel for the word. I found a consequence of this feature is that a second reading of the poem is far more powerful than the first reading.
The author uses the words of the some of the poems as visuals. For example, the words appear to fall as the ball does, and the excitement of the game is shown with bigger and bolder words, and sometimes in all capital letters. This feature feels like the electrifying highlights of a game on television, but may be a bit of a distraction until the reader adjusts to the style. However, this style may provide a middle school reader with enough play by play action to keep them in the reading game. The poetry moves fast enough to keep the reader moving page to page, and delivers powerful emotional energy throughout the book.
In CROSSOVER, the Bell family is compromised of twin brothers, Josh and JB, and their parents. The middle school aged boys are phenomenal basketball players, and have a close and loving relationship with their father, mother, and each other, Their mother is the assistant principal at their school, and the father does not work because of health reasons. Alexander eludes in the beginning that the father suffers from major health ailments, which the reader finds out later is hypertension. This health issue will ultimately change the course of the family's lives. Although the parents argue at times over his health, the books insinuates a strong marriage behind closed doors. The twin boys are in sync with each other, knowing each other's next move as twins often do. This is even referenced to when they go to eat Chinese food and JB knows what Josh wants from the buffet without even asking him. However, Josh later struggles with JB's interest in the new girl, as she pulls him away from his brother and basketball.
The family demonstrates a loving and healthy relationship, however, the father still breaks the rules when the mother isn't around. The mother is continuously trying to instill lessons to the boys. "Boys with no self-control become men behind bars." This is a powerful theme in the novel, as Josh gets suspended for throwing the basketball at JB's face and hurting him at a game. This single action ends the banter and play between the boys for some time, as JB finds it difficult to forgive his brother of this mistake. The deliberate game-like progression designed by Alexander keeps the reader hooked and quickly leads to the conclusion, which must not be spoiled for the readers.
Young adults who find poetry books or novels unappealing may find new light in this novel. Through its fast pages and touching themes, it is a book that will grasp every reader within the first few lines. It is a contemporary novel that will surely change a poetry shy reader into a fan of novels written in verse.
Young adults who find poetry books or novels unappealing may find new light in this novel. Through its fast pages and touching themes, it is a book that will grasp every reader within the first few lines. It is a contemporary novel that will surely change a poetry shy reader into a fan of novels written in verse.
C. Highlighted Poem to Support Critical Analysis
Dear Jordan
Without you
i am empty
the goal
with no net
seems
my life was
broken
shattered
like puzzle pieces
on the court.
i can no longer fit.
can you
help me heal,
run with me,
slash with me
like we used to?
like two stars
stealing the sun,
like two brothers
burning up.
together.
P.S. I'm sorry.
In a middle school or high school class, this poem can be presented during character lessons. As a coming of age novel, this particular poem highlights the ups and downs of sibling relationships. The teacher can ask the following questions before reading the poem:
1. Have you ever had an argument or physical altercation with a sibling?
2. How did the relationship change after the argument or fight?
3. Did you say sorry first, or did your brother or sister say it first?
4. Why is it hard to say "I'm sorry" to a brother or sister?
5. Is there a creative way you can think of to say you are sorry?
The teacher will then read the poem. Discuss with the students some of the special qualities that exist between brothers and sisters. Allow students to write an apology in their journals to someone they feel they may still owe an apology to. It can be a sibling, friend, parent, or teacher. Some students may want to share an apology they wrote, but it should not be a requirement.
In a middle school or high school class, this poem can be presented during character lessons. As a coming of age novel, this particular poem highlights the ups and downs of sibling relationships. The teacher can ask the following questions before reading the poem:
1. Have you ever had an argument or physical altercation with a sibling?
2. How did the relationship change after the argument or fight?
3. Did you say sorry first, or did your brother or sister say it first?
4. Why is it hard to say "I'm sorry" to a brother or sister?
5. Is there a creative way you can think of to say you are sorry?
The teacher will then read the poem. Discuss with the students some of the special qualities that exist between brothers and sisters. Allow students to write an apology in their journals to someone they feel they may still owe an apology to. It can be a sibling, friend, parent, or teacher. Some students may want to share an apology they wrote, but it should not be a requirement.
The CROSSOVER is the winner of the 2015 Newbery Award and Kwame Alexander's website is an ideal accompaniment to his work. Visit http://www.bookinaday.org/ to learn more about this author.
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