This review is part of Melody’s Summer Reading: Diversity Spotlight. Enjoy!
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Release Date: March 18, 2014
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary, Poetry, Sports
ISBN: 978-0544107717
Source: Library
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Twelve year old Josh Bell 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.
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.
I don’t read middle grade very often but one surefire way to get me to read any book, no matter the age category is to hand me a book in verse. And after this book suggestion on Twitter, I knew that I had to check this out. The fact that it was middle grade was great because I haven’t read an MG title in awhile and MG has such a different kind of exciting energy so I couldn’t open this book up on my kindle app fast enough.
In this story, we follow Josh, a smart, talented basketball player, and a kid who knows how to hold his own with his rapping abilities. So this will definitely appeal to plenty of young boys out there. Those relatable elements was really so great to see. Even if I can’t personally relate (not being a big sports fan or rap fan myself). Having a character in a book reflect you means more than words can describe so knowing that this is here for so many young boys (and girls) is really awesome. As for the characters themselves, I connected with Josh and his family and school mates very quickly. I felt like I was at his home and in the halls of his school right beside him the whole time and I was really taken back to life as a middle schooler which was great.
Story wise, I thought the pacing was on point as we got to know Josh and his family and the ties that keep this family together and as the story progresses, we see those ties loosen up a bit as we watch Josh lose two of his closest loved ones (in two very different ways) at a time he needs them the most. So while this story is about loss it’s also about being groomed to stand on your own, it’s about knowing how much you are loved and what people are willing to do to show that love, and playing this game called life with the biggest heart possible.
I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would which is great because I didn’t really have any expectations as I went into this blind, aside from knowing that this was in verse. I liked that because Josh also likes to rap, a portion of this story told in verse really picks up here and there and has quite a rhythm to it, which was clever and fun. I wonder if there is an audiobook for this and if not, if there are any plans for one. Regardless, this is a great story that’s definitely worth passing onto any young readers you know.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is available today.