Michael Wu - ball man

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The Crossover

    The Crossover by Kwame Alexander was published in 2014 and, one year later, won the Newbery Medal and was selected as an honor book for the Coretta Scott King Award. The book is written in verse and centers on two thirteen year old brothers (and basketball champions), Josh and Jordan bell. Josh (a.k.a. Filthy Mc. Nasty) narrates the story as he watches his relationships and household change before him. Josh and Jordan’s father, Chuck Bell, was a reknowned basketball player in his youth – a legend on the court - but retired early due to medical circumstances. His health is deteriorating, but he refuses to see a doctor, and Josh and Jordan have to live with his rapidly declining state. Meanwhile, Jordan falls in love with a girl at school and neglects spending time with Josh, leaving Filthy alone with his thoughts. Josh is even suspended from the school’s basketball team for a brief period after lashing out at his brother during a game. It’s going to take a lot for the two brothers to make up…

    I first heard of Kwame Alexander after reading a short story from him a few years ago. Alexander loves using sports as a foundation for his stories. Although I was aware of The Crossover since nearly the beginning, I have read three other novels before picking this one up: Swing (baseball), Booked (soccer), and Solo (not sport related). The different characters in all of these books, including The Crossover, show a strange affinity for words. The Crossover as well as Booked both include random dictionary-style definitions of certain words related to the story, and all four books include sudden poetic verses scattered throughout their pages, often with a lot of

WORDS IN BIG FONT SIZES

And

A

  R

    T

       I

         S

           T

              I

       C

 

                      L

                        E

                          T

                            T

                              E

                                R

                                  I

                                   N

                                     G

The point is, The Crossover is a novel like no other. It’s a very short read, since each page is only a few sentences long, but it’s a very enjoyable experience, and there’s some real depth in the story and characters once you get to know them enough.

I give it a

THIRTY-FIVE ARTISTICALLY STYLED LETTERS

out of 35.

Michael Wu





Comments

  1. CaliJanuary 31, 2023 at 6:58 PM

    Michael, this book seems very compelling! I usually don't enjoy poetry, but if it's incorporated in a book with a plot, I find it really interesting. This book sounds like it has pretty good characters and a good climax. I've read a book similar to this a couple years ago in middle school, so I'll have to put this on my RR! Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Olisa AllanahFebruary 2, 2023 at 12:57 PM

    Great book review Michael! I have also read this book and I love the poetic style as well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JessyFebruary 3, 2023 at 8:41 AM

    This book review is really good! Since I love basket ball this book really stands out to me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AdamFebruary 6, 2023 at 7:48 AM

    This is a great book review! Poetry can be interesting and in this book it's combined with basketball. This book grabs my interest and I might have to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Emmie VargasFebruary 6, 2023 at 9:14 AM

    Hey Michael! This review was so intriguing. The usage of lettering in different sizes of text is a wonderful way to keep a reader's attention and keep them hooked on the plot. I saw this author mentioned many times for their impressive writing style and creative works. Great review!

    ReplyDelete

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