The Crossover. Kwame Alexander. 2014. HMH Books. 240 pages. [Source: Public library.]
In my younger days, I might not have willingly picked up a book that centered a teen boy, let alone one that also centered basketball. If The Crossover were a book I chose to pass on, I would have done myself a true disservice. I enjoyed this book; so much so that I read the original 2014 release as well as the graphic novel published in 2019.
While told from the perspective of Josh “Filthy McNasty” Bell, The Crossover is actually about him and his twin, Jordan “JB” Bell. They’re just shy of thirteen, and the book sees a shift in their relationship as their individual priorities change. The two are stars of their school basketball team, their father a former international basketball champion whose own career was cut short and their mother an assistant principal at their school. Although almost identical except for their hair, their paths are diverging in the face of academics, dating, and everything else that comes with being on the cusp of their teenage years.
What immediately jumped out to me is that Alexander writes entirely in verse. The arrangement isn’t just linear on the page and, for me, added more energy to the flow of words. Alexander tells most of the story through a series of “Basketball Rules,” which illustrate the life lessons that Josh learns through his various relationships. This is even more engaging in the graphic novel. I particularly enjoyed the color simplicity — black and white with orange accents — that allowed the visuals to pop. The illustrations are detailed and emotive, which made the story itself more impactful.
What I loved most about The Crossover is that the book centers a Black family. There’s no dysfunction or major drama — they’re a middle-class family with a loving couple in a healthy relationship at its head. The issues that come up for Josh are typical; how he makes sense of the changes are relatable and it’s easy to sympathize with him. I think this would a particularly apt book for a middle grade reader who’s still trying to figure out what they like. Whether they relate to the characters, basketball, Josh’s experiences … there really is something for anyone to latch onto.
While I’m far outside the target age range for this book, I’m sure my younger self would have found Josh and JB relatable as characters, especially in how they navigated the social/emotional changes that came their way. For that reason, I think this is an incredibly valuable read for middle grade/YA readers.
No Comments