The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Grades 5 and up--

Written entirely in rap-style poetry, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is a quick, enjoyable read. The story follows Josh and Jordan, junior high basketball superstars who also happen to be twins. The poems echo the rhythm of the sport; the book is even divided into four quarters. Along the way, the twins experience the rollercoaster that is adolescence: sibling rivalry, athletics, friendship and what it means to be a family.

Intended audience: Upper elementary and middle school African-American boys, especially those interested in sports, specifically basketball.

Audience to whom it may appeal: This book has the potential to reach a variety of people of all races, male and female, athletes and non-athletes. The unique poetic style of the book would also make for a fun read-aloud for younger students. Young people or adults interested in poetry will be inspired by the distinct writing style that incorporates free verse, slant rhyme, onomatopoeia, and shape poems.

Strengths: Pacing is quick, like adolescents’ attention spans, and its realistic themes of rivalry and relationships will appeal to young adults. The author incorporates high level vocabulary throughout the novel in a creative way that makes it accessible for readers of all levels. Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and the Newbery Medal.

Weaknesses: Some of the basketball jargon may be lost on those lacking experience with the sport. Sometimes the poetic structure makes the narrative choppy and hard to follow. For dialogue, the author uses italics instead of quotation marks, which might confuse those unfamiliar with that style choice. Very few female characters.

VERDICT: Alexander shoots...and scores! This book deserves a spot in every media center: upper-elementary through high school. Reluctant readers, athletes and poets alike will enjoy this realistic, creative, accessible novel.