The Crossover

Alexander, K. (2014).  The crossover.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Josh Bell (Filthy) and twin brother Jordon (JB) are junior high basketball stars in this poetic novel about growing up. Their dad is a former basketball star while their mom is a principal at their school. The boys start growing apart when JB starts dating “Miss Sweet Tea” and Josh doesn’t want their brotherly relationship to change. The relationship between the twins stays rocky even as their father is rushed to the hospital due to a massive heart attack. Finally coming out of his coma, Chuck Bell, has the opportunity to really talk to each of his sons. Sadly, their dad dies during the county championship basketball game.

This realistic fiction novel is aimed at middle and high school aged students, especially those who love sports in general and basketball in particular. This coming of age story discusses growing up, family dynamics, and the death of a parent. Josh’s voice is strong throughout the novel as he struggles with all the changes happening in his eighth grade year. The poetic style of the book makes it a quicker read than a traditional novel which may benefit struggling readers.

 2015 Newberry Award Winner

 2015 Coretta Scott King Honor Award