Crossover by Kwame Alexander

A novel told in verse, Crossover by Kwame Alexander (Lexile: NP 750; Interest Level: Grades 5-8) is the 2015 Newbery Award Winner.  The main character, Josh Bell, tells an engaging story about growing up, playing basketball, and the importance of family.

Josh is a twin, and he and his twin brother do everything together: school, basketball, hanging out.  That is, until Sweet Tea (as Josh calls her) starts coming to their school.  Now, all of a sudden, JB (Josh's brother) has a girlfriend, and Josh is feeling left out.  Add to that the fact that Josh's dad, a former professional basketball player, seems to be not feeling well, and it is no wonder Josh is starting to have trouble focusing. 

Alexander uses great rhymes and rhythms throughout the book that help you to feel the emotions coursing through Josh, the pounding of the basketball, the beating of his heart, the anxiety about his brother's girlfriend and his dad's health.  This is one of the better sports books I have read, and I think it's the poetry of basketball that moves me through it. (237 pages)

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