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.

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Grades 7 and up--

As cliche as "ripped from the headlines" sounds, this book is just that. And it is excellent. I cannot say enough positive things about this novel. The story of a brutal interaction between a police officer and a teenager is told through the eyes of two boys: one black, one white. One is a witness, the other a victim. I couldn't take myself away from this book. It followed me for weeks after I put it down in the same way news of similar stories has haunted us in recent years. I do not want to give too much away, but I think this fictionalized version of an all-too-familiar tale is absolutely worth the time, teens and adults alike.

Although the intended audience may be teenagers, I think this book could appeal to a variety of individuals young and old, teens and those who parent or work with them. The strength of the book comes in its rawness and realistic portrayal of recent events. It also shows multiple perspectives which is crucial for addressing such a difficult issue. The only weakness I noticed was the lack of female characters, but this issue does more often affect young males, so it is understandable that they played smaller roles.

VERDICT: This book is a must-have for all middle (7+) and high schools. Its relevance and quality create that rare book that has the potential to build bridges.

Awards: Coretta Scott King, 2016