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May Read - Red, White, and Whole
By Kristen · 25 posts · 191 views
By Kristen · 25 posts · 191 views
last updated Aug 17, 2021 10:46AM
What Members Thought

Here's an experiment I'd like a teacher to try for me. Don't "teach" this Newbery Award winner. Instead, place a copy of Crossover on each student's desk before they enter the classroom. Maybe upside down and backward to make it a bit more tempting. And then wait to see what happens.
If the students say, "Do we have to read this?" answer, "I was curious whether anyone would want to." If they say, "What are we going to do with this book?" answer, "I thought I'd ask you that question." If they ask ...more
If the students say, "Do we have to read this?" answer, "I was curious whether anyone would want to." If they say, "What are we going to do with this book?" answer, "I thought I'd ask you that question." If they ask ...more

This recent Newbery winner is certainly a great book that will appeal to reluctant readers, fans of novels in verse, and sports fans in general. Further, I would definitely recommend this to students who have had a falling out with friends or siblings or who are having a difficult time with an illness in the family. While I am way excited that this nontraditional book won some medalage, I just don't think it deserved the big win over the beauty and artistry of Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dre
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Written as a poem, this is the story of a boy and his twin brother who are obsessed about (and very skilled in) basketball. Their father was a former NBA player, so he's full of advice but the relationship full of warmth and good-natured teasing. Conflicts include the father's heart problems, the twin's new girlfriend, and whether or not the team will win the championship. Fresh original voice and format.
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The Crossover is one of my favorite stories in verse of all-time.
Update: After sharing this book with each of my classes, one of my goals for this year is to get this book into the hands of as many young people as I can.
I read the first stanza of "Josh Bell" to each of my classes, and I had more students asking me for the book than I've ever experienced in my years as a teacher.
The Crossover is an easy sell.
The Bell twins, their former NBA playing father, and awesome mother will be characters ...more
Update: After sharing this book with each of my classes, one of my goals for this year is to get this book into the hands of as many young people as I can.
I read the first stanza of "Josh Bell" to each of my classes, and I had more students asking me for the book than I've ever experienced in my years as a teacher.
The Crossover is an easy sell.
The Bell twins, their former NBA playing father, and awesome mother will be characters ...more

This verse novel is more poetic than most. I can't wait to see if I can't tempt a boy reader into a verse novel with this edgy rapping basketball story...
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Highly accessible basketball book told in verse. Quick read that will be great for reluctant readers.
Newbery Winner
Newbery Winner

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is a powerful verse novel involving twelve-year-old African-American twins, both of whom are gifted basketball players. A student of mine last year who was serious about basketball and writing absolutely adored this one and I was thrilled to be able to get a copy signed for him by the author. The poetry is energetic and the story compelling -- a sure-fire hit for a wide range of readers. (From this blog post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/monica-...)
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I liked how the words mirrored the action of basketball. I liked the supportive family.
It's quick and easy reading, which is a plus with certain students. I think it will be
especially interesting to 5th-6th graders who like to play basketball. ...more
It's quick and easy reading, which is a plus with certain students. I think it will be
especially interesting to 5th-6th graders who like to play basketball. ...more

This is the year of the novel in verse. CROSSOVER is one of the best. A touching and engaging story of twin middle school boys, sons of a retired basketball star. This book will be a sure-fire hit with urban kids.

Written in prose about two brothers that love basketball.

Jan 23, 2014
Julie
marked it as to-read




Sep 13, 2014
Kristin McIlhagga
marked it as to-read


Jan 18, 2015
Jennifer
marked it as to-read
Shelves:
sports,
kids,
poetry,
newberywinner,
corettascottkinghonor,
2014-pub,
sljbob2015,
caudill2017

Feb 03, 2015
Astrid Lim
marked it as wishlist


Feb 19, 2015
Michelle
marked it as to-read