Eighth grader Amy McGee's letter starts out this way: The apology poem that author Kwame Alexander wrote from Josh to JB in The Crossover is called "Dear Jordan." He has a book coming out in April about a soccer player who doesnt like to read. He asks if Josh and, On Christmas Eve. We advise our products to be used with proper referencing. Reproduced by permission of HarperCollins Publishers. We see this in Joshs description of their playing style. At one point, Josh begs his Dad to intervene and talk to JB, to which he replies, Filthy, if some girl done locked up JB, hes going to jail. homes for sale in fishersville, va; 22 . He knows that this means, to Dad. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. And when I was born he was a PhD. dear jordan poem the crossover. The Crossover Summary | GradeSaver JB is on fire and blazes from baseline to baseline. 6yOk5qTo1?WIo(l _MR-a`3+"1@ JB is running and gunning; he is a shooting star. instead, tells him that being early is always better than being a little bit late. "Dear Jordan" from The Crossover A cleave poem about twin brothers and basketball. The score is tied and clock ticks as. Devon Kibbey: How did you decide that you were going to write the story from Joshs perspective? To make matters worse, encourages the rest of the team to step up since Josh isn't playing. Alexander says he came across the name while working on the story. atonement in the Crossover using the poem "Dear Jordan" Rather than just letting the boys go to bed, Mom makes them read. Kyle DelBianco: Why did you choose to write the book in poetry form? There is so much to unpack in this wonderfully written book that it would be easy to stop and analyze every single page; the figurative language, the formatting, the authors message. Its completely fiction. This book is also available as a graphic novel! He wants the boys to be their own people, and he wants them to know that becoming someone different is okay and expected. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. I would say there are some gender stereotypes present in the book. In this poem, Josh makes efforts to repair the cracked friendship between him and his brother. If you could take one poem out of The Crossover to represent one of the themes in the book, which one would it be and why? Kwame Alexander: No, its not autobiography. Josh whispers to Dad that JB wont talk to him, and Dad replies that he just has to let the smoke clear. The Crossover Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary Mom's amendment in particular betrays that this is likely more serious than she's letting on. Essay Topics. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Given that Dad's dad died in the hospital of hypertension, it's understandable that Dad is unwilling to seek help out of fear. 0000028950 00000 n Josh's concern and desire to go to Dad's doctor's appointment show that he's continuing to grow up and become more interested in other people aside from himself. However, some parts of the book are written as a lyric poem, which is melodic and soundlike. The words and rhythmic flow of these words on the page depict Joshs inner thoughts; his flow on the court. endstream endobj 1084 0 obj <>stream Again, Josh's desire to help and be a part of the game in some way speaks to his sense of loyalty to Dad and to the rest of the team, especially JB. How is this condition highlighted in the narrative? What news is related in the poem "Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14)"? 0000012743 00000 n Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator and New York Times bestselling author, who has won numerous awards including the Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to American Literature for children. So, if I could figure out what to do with a sequel to make it still compelling and meaningful and significant and keep it in that era. PDF e d u c ator's Guide The Crossover by KWAME ALEXANDER - TeachingBooks.net His family unit is strong, though it is not always perfect. Their dad is a former professional baller. Recently, he lead a delegation of twenty writers and activists to Ghana where they delivered books, built a library and provided literacy professional development to teachers. Its fiction but certainly there are parts of my life that I remembered and drew from. The Crossover is flying off library shelves like a half-court sinker. His life is broken like puzzle pieces and he can no longer fit. Though Josh is once again able to use his vocabulary words to make his life make more sense, he also indicates that his ability to effectively communicate is waning. 0000001668 00000 n Please explain "Jordan (I)," a poem by George Herbert. Both Joshs parents and basketball coach provide non-didactic moral education for students to consider. And so that was the first character that I created. Josh takes his problem to Dad and says that. Apology Poem and Epistolary Poem "Dear Jordan" (p. 159) Found Poems "Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14)" (p. 155) "Article #2 in the Daily News (January 14)" (p. 225-226) . Her first job in professional radio was at WVMX in Stowe, where she worked as News Director and co-host of The Morning Show. All rights reserved. the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. Mom gently chides him for eavesdropping but laughs when he says he learned that strategy from her. Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. There is a hint of a smile for Josh with that. At the End of Warm-Ups, My Brother Tries to Dunk. Josh hugs Mom and tells her how grateful he is for her loving him, Dad, and JB; he says that she is the best mother in the world. H\@. Zip. I think it was very insightful inThe Crossoverto include the relationship Josh had with his coach. Kwame Alexander "Dear Jordan" from THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander. 0000002682 00000 n resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Josh's choice to apply this word to three very different areas of his life brings all of what he's currently worried about--JB, basketball, and Dad--together, illustrating again how language allows Josh to effectively construct his identity and his life. Or what is his goal? What does Josh want more in the book? Tomorrow is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation, Usually, Josh helps JB study, but JBs been studying alone lately. However, I will tell you this. The Crossover Summary The narrator of the novel (which is told in verse) is Josh Bell, an 8th-grade boy. hbbd``b`$n zb1LL@k# #@ # _ Dad falls, his eyes roll, and Josh screams. In the list of Things I Learn at Dinner, Alexander gives her even more nuance in terms of divorced parents, a coping mechanism (She shoots hoops at the Rec to relax" [172]), and troubles of her own (Her mom doesnt want her playing basketball" [172]). JB and Josh are estranged, but Dads making them play a three-on-three tomorrow at the rec center. Then, by using Josh's word and sharing a smile with his brother, JB is able to say that he's willing to reopen lines of communication and reconnect with his brother. Ever sinceKim Bazemore kissed him in Sunday school,he's been acting all religious. Mom texts a few times that she and Dad needed to leave because Dad did not feel wellhes fine, just tired. (LogOut/ A novel told in verse, with striking illustrations, this book is about basketball and much more: as they progress into young adulthood, navigating the pressures of home and school, the relationship between Josh and Jordan begins to change. Josh is busy taking his vocabulary test when, Josh doesn't pay any attention to his teacher or the dummy and instead he watches, Conversation. Other of his many books (hes written 35!) Doing this will take away students enjoyment of the story further supporting their belief that poetry is uninteresting. The heart attack Chuck suffers during the one-on-one game at the end of this section is not the last warning we hope it is: rather, its a sign that there is no going back. It doesnt help that his Dad keeps having health issues, but wont go to the doctor because he thinks this is a stupid waste of time. What, isn't that what you wanted, Filthy? i can no longer fit. The students at Rutland Town School had some questions for the author. Josh and JB made a bet.. Josh lost, and JB got to cut off five of his dreadlocks. This book presents a realistic view of family life; the constant cycle of joys and hurdles. Kwame Alexander: I like to think that basketball is like poetry in motion. Fights between friends usually end in a cutting off of the relationship as opposed to engaging in healthy conflict to find a resolution. This family creates a strong foundation for the boys to continuously go back to as they seek to find their way through the muck of adolescence. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . The Reggie Lewis Wildcats have reached the playoffs thanks to the work of Jordan Bell. And, eventually after maybe a draft of it I knew that I wanted him to have a twin brother. PDF The Crossover Book Pdf - Sex Dad's message does much the same thing, though it seems much more in character for Dad. At the stoplight, JB and Josh look out the window at the same time, and Josh knows what his brother is thinking. game against Olive Branch Junior High, and that the team seemed unhurt by Josh's absence. pro-fuse-ly. Though Josh loves JB and being a twin, he also craves read analysis of Josh Dad Josh and JB's dad. The story is told from Joshs point of view. Mom sits Josh down. Refine any search. Teachers and parents! As a consequence for his actions, his mom suspends him from the team. Vondie passes to, that they're going to go home. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Josh realizes that sometimes its the things that arent said / that kill you (156). 0000044218 00000 n Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Dad passes to Josh, Josh passes to, use it in another sentence, he wonders why pulchritudinous Miss Sweet Tea is talking to, Walking Home. Dad is gone "like the end of a good song. Dad replies sadly that he let them down, and Josh asks what he should do. Assign this text to deeply engage your students! At lunch, Coach comes over to where Vondie and Josh are and gives Josh a lecture about making up with his brother. Matthew Goulette: Is this story based on your life or someone you know? together. This story, about twelve year old Josh and his twin Jordan, is a joyful and dynamic celebration of language. He said, "I listen to instrumental jazz when Im writing, and I looked over to see what song it was and it was a song by Horace Silver called Filthy McNasty, and decided I am so going to use that name in this book.". In particular, it begins to align him with Dad, who is still highly regarded even though he's also not playing. When he's able to steal the ball out of Josh's crossover, it speaks to the skills he still has on the court and the progress that Josh still has to make in order to become Da Man.. The realization that JB is masturbating in the shower again shows Josh that JB is developing much faster than he is, though the lack of judgment in Josh's tone suggests he's becoming more used to the idea of JB changing. Josh feels inspired when he is on the court, and this comes out in the rhymes that flow through him when he plays. Exposing students to verse novels such as this allows them to explore the artistic elements that combine to evoke personal and powerful emotions in the reader. Josh goes about his routine, trying hard to repair what had been broken between JB and him. JB echoes.And the word wenever soundedsweeter. drives home from the hospital, the car is silent. In other words, just as the boys have choices in regards to their basketball success, they also have the choice to make up or continue their feud. (including. He tells Josh it was something he ate, and he changes the subject to how he just got a coaching job at a nearby college. Mom says its not about his grades: its about how he behaves going forward. During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Basketball is extremely important to them, and they both want to play professionally someday. Come on, tell me. Can JB run with him, help him heal, slash with him like they used to? 0000012066 00000 n Its made-up. He writes for children of all ages. uses it in a sentence and says that in Mom and Dad's closet, he and, all the teasing dies down, the game begins. That it was going to be a 12-year-old boy. He says it all started with one synonym for "beautiful," in this passage from The Crossover: "Oh my goodness, what a word, Amy," said Alexander. 0000003834 00000 n 0000007406 00000 n they win the championship trophy. Its not memoir. he asks. Lets use rhyme, lets use free verse, lets use different types of poetry to sort of mimic and mirror that action on the court and do that on the page. And it is about the father when he was 12-years-old. GradeSaver, 9 September 2019 Web. When we asked them how they liked the book, they raved about the book. Josh and, in a hospital and now, Dad hates doctors. He's survived by his wife (Mom) and his twin sons, Josh and, to look in the coffin. Hes getting flyer, climbing the sky, exploding across the lane, crissing and crossing the ball, and taking the break. We see a deep bond between all the family members in the weekly traditions they have, the way they interact with each other, the things they say to each other. JB is on the other side of the backseat, but Josh feels miles away from all of them. Kwame is the Founding Editor of Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt that aims to Change the World One Word at a Time. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. Again, Dad's willingness to call Josh by his name shows that Dad respects that both of his sons are growing, changing, and taking control of their identities in perfectly normal ways. The Children's Bookshow | Week Five: Kwame Alexander Josh gets a lot of accolades for being the Junior High MVP but Miss Sweet Tea tells him frankly that he is mean and did not deserve that award because of what he did to JB. His nosebleed and his vomiting are finally enough to get him to let Crystal make him a doctors appointment, but, as the reader will see, it is too little, too late. Though Josh still thinks highly of Dad, now that he's aware of Dad's unwillingness to care for his health, it suggests that becoming "Da Man" might not be the entirely positive endeavor that Josh once thought it was. Shay was envious of Mahira because Edward was giving her way more attention than he had ever given to Shay. -Graham S. The timeline below shows where the character JB appears in, Dad insisted that the music was "fast and free" just like Josh and his brother, he does all the time--even if there's no chance of winning. The crossover is Joshs signature move, something his Dad taught him. This suggests that as Josh and JB grow up, part of their coming of age will be having to learn to accept each other as they grow rather than just deciding to grow apart. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. June 22, 2022; Posted by .