The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Digraj | Manalapan High School, Grade 9

Rating: ****

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, is a young adult novel that follows Josh Bell, a prodigious middle school basketball player, throughout his 8th grade journey. The novel is written in verse and provides a new way to read and indulge in a novel. The verse is through Josh Bell’s perspective and takes a deep dive into his life and dynamics as a student with an identical twin and world renowned retired basketball player, Earnest Bell. This novel highlights major themes of family and how essential it is for one's happiness and success in life. The father of the two boys teaches them major life lessons that they should later utilize to preserve their relationship and the success they surely will receive.

I would definitely recommend this novel as it is extremely heartwarming and sheds light on the true importance of your loved ones. Moreover, the tale of basketball is also incredible and should please many sports fans and athletes as many could relate to this. In addition the novel also highlights the ordinary lives of renowned athletes providing an insight to the common man. As a result, I would definitely recommend this riveting story for the importance of family.