LSSL 5385: Book 12

October 22, 2019

The Crossover

By Kwame Alexander

Alexander, K. (2014). The Crossover. MA: HMH Books for Young Readers.

Josh Bell also known as “Filthy McNasty”, a nickname given to him by his father, and his brother JB love to play basketball. Basketball is their life and they both are exceptional at the sport. They are raised by their mother Crystal, the principal of their school, and their father Chuck, “Da Man”, who is a retired basketball player. Filthy and JB are incredibly close and do everything together until a girl comes into the picture. JB becomes infatuated with the new girl Alexis and they start a relationship. Filthy feels left out and like he is losing a brother. JB hardly makes any time for him anymore.

During a game, Filthy is feeling a range of emotions at his brother, throws JB the ball, and ends up causing a nose bleed. Filthy is suspended from the team and is family is very upset about his actions. JB distances himself even more, and hardly speaks to him at all. Filthy is feeling very distraught and even more alone, and reaches out to his father for advice. He suggests that Filthy write JB a letter. Filthy lets JB knows how he feels and apologizes again. The ice slowly starts to thaw between the brothers.

Josh’s mother informs him that hypertension runs in the family, and in order to try and help Chuck out they all will start eating healthier. She is always trying to get her husband to go to the doctor for a checkup, but he refuses since he has a fear of doctors and hospitals. His own father died of hypertension, but he doesn’t see the need to get a checkup. Throughout the season Chuck had a few fainting spells and nose bleeds, but didn’t think there was anything to worry about. His health was deteriorating and during a one on one game with Josh he collapsed and had a heart attack. He ends up in a coma in the hospital, but does wake up in time to celebrate Christmas while he is staying there. His father tells him that he needs to play in the championship, and so Josh does. JB is having a hard time loving basketball right then, and decides not to play.

The night of the game their father has another heart attack, and their mom rushes to the hospital. JB jumps on his bike to follow their mom, but Josh can only hear his father telling him to play. Josh arrives at the game, and informs his coach that his father wants him to play and he can handle it. Their mother sent JB to the game to at least watch from the stands. While Josh is playing the game he sees JB crying in his girlfriend’s arms. He leads his team to victory in the championship game, but realizes that his father has passed away. At the funeral, his mother refuses to look into the casket saying that isn’t her husband inside there. Josh feels as if the nights are starless with his father gone, since he was the light of his life. Friends and family gather at the Bell’s house to reminisce about Chuck’s life. Josh needs to get some fresh air and goes outside to shoot free throws. JB comes outside and starts talking to him, and says that their father wanted Josh to have his championship ring. He tells Josh that is now “Da Man” and Josh replies by saying “We Da Man.”

Alexander wrote a beautiful free verse novel that delves into family relationships. He used the sport of basketball to teach lifelong lessons to both boys. His poems are full of figurative language such as, similes, metaphors, alliteration, and onomatopoeia. Throughout his free verse novel he includes poems with vocabulary definitions, that will expand student’s vocabulary and explain concepts discussed in previous poems. Alexander uses graphic elements in his poems that allow the reader to imagine the basketball plays being played out in real life. This novel teaches family values, friendship, and dedication.

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