Reproduced by permission of HarperCollins Publishers. Kwame Alexander is able toto seamlessly bring different poetry elements, forms of poetry and genres of writing together to help the reader experience Joshs life and his humanity, as opposed to just reading about it. His mother made him cut off the rest. This is also an attempt to make Josh understand this, since Josh's narration implies that he doesn't see JB's relationship as something normal or expected. 0000001668 00000 n
Sure. 5m%4|#w gJVxx3@#vwd)}Dt9h'3S? instead, tells him that being early is always better than being a little bit late. Josh was estranged from himself when he threw the ball at JB. Choose only one theme and only one poem. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. This book is also available as a graphic novel! 2020 Pro Custom Essays. Evidence: He has one pair of Air Jordan sneakers for every month of the year including Air Jordan 1 Low Barack Obama Limited Editions, which he never wears. Males are mostly depicted in the role of sports hero; strong, popular and at the center of society. These relationships (especially for boys) seem to fill a need at this stage in life. And, eventually after maybe a draft of it I knew that I wanted him to have a twin brother. Dad bites into his third donut and, when, out of you what they expect out of their own lives. I can feel what some of the experiences in the book are like for Josh because I can draw on my own life experiences to empathize with him. What does the postscript say in "Dear Jordan"? He smiles at Mom, gives, happy. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs I mean, you imagine Steph Curry going back behind his back with the ball or Allen Iverson doing his crossover or Michael Jordan or LeBron James moving to the basket in this rhythmic, energetic, really awesome way. As Josh and JB take over caring for their father, the tables turn and suddenly, they're thrown into adult roles. Amy is an award winning journalist who has worked in print and radio in Vermont since 1991. I danced around my room. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. This sets an example that his health isn't important, which puts Josh and JB at risk. Mom and Dad's closet is off limits. Kwame regularly speaks at conferences and universities all over the world. Josh is concerned, asking about Moms advice to take it easy. Do depictions of all cultures avoid oversimplification or offer genuine insights? Josh's concern that Dad won't be around to parent him shows again that he's still very much a kid and isn't ready to grow up yet. Josh decides to sit with the team today instead of up with Mom and Dad. When JB and Josh are in a fight, she takes JBs side without question because this is the expectation for her as a girlfriend. Dad replies sadly that he let them down, and Josh asks what he should do. She and Coach try to control Dad. Dad tells Mom that he looks online and that thats better than a doctor, but Mom angrily insists that she will make an appointment for 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. 0000010269 00000 n
He was only 39 and might have had a chance if he had seen a doctor sooner. Childrens Literature, Briefly(6th ed.). For Josh, having to sit out and watch his team struggle shows him first how hard they've worked--Vondie and JB are still doing reasonably well--but it also shows Josh what an integral part of the team he was and with this, helps reaffirm his desire to get back on the court. Just because he is elated to be the Daily News Junior MVP, doesnt mean it doesnt sting when Alexis and JB dont seem pleased at all. JB is on fire and blazes from baseline to baseline. Notice that Josh hasn't said anything about being particularly interested in sneakers himself; that's JB's thing. Mom smiles and says hell be back on the team in no time, but she warns him not to press his luck. 0000007406 00000 n
Her looks not her personality is what first catches JBs attention. Mom tells JB that Josh has apologized for his mistake, but JB states that he saw the look in Joshs eye and it was not a mistake. In the book "The Crossover" there is a poem called "Dear Jordan" where Josh is explaining how sorry he is. JB and his attacker stare at each other. Devon Kibbey: How did you decide that you were going to write the story from Joshs perspective? Theyre not alone. This leads me to wonder if the stereotypes are portrayed the way they are in order to show accuracy; maybe its more the question of whose voice is missing. 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]). You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Complete your free account to request a guide. Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. When Mom and Josh are washing dishes, he asks when Dads appointment is. His parents continue to press upon him the value of working hard and the importance of education. Asked by jayionna m #1050276 on 9/23/2020 9:09 PM Last updated by jill d #170087 on 9/23/2020 9:41 PM The characters listen to the same music as they do, covet the same shoes, use the same slang. comes for dinner, she asks for seconds of Mom's veggie lasagna. Though Josh loves JB and being a twin, he also craves read analysis of Josh Dad Josh and JB's dad. Teachers and parents! His suggestion to write JB a letter again speaks to the power of words and communication. Alexis calls 911 and JB rushes to get water to splash Dads face. Their mom is assistant principal at their school. However, by asking Dad to call him by his real name instead of "Filthy," Josh begins to take control of the kind of person he wants to be going forward by dictating how people talk about him. June 22, 2022; Posted by . Basketball is extremely important to them, and they both want to play professionally someday. Sometimes / you have to / lean back / a little / and / fade away / to get / the best / shot (191). In this poem, the author uses short, choppy lines to convey a sense of urgency; this narrates the story of Joshs dads heart attack. (21) $1.99. For example, Alexis is mostly described by her looks and her loyalty to JB. uses it in a sentence and says that in Mom and Dad's closet, he and, all the teasing dies down, the game begins. This is the new name Josh has for Alexis. In the Old, the people of Israel cross the Jordan. Josh does not have much to say but apologizes. gives a fry each to Josh and Vondie and then tells Josh that he and, Sweet Tea's divorced parents are estranged. Theyre having a fantastic time, and everyone there is watching. The silence Josh refers to is also a metaphor for JB himself, which turns it around to mean that Josh feels he'll die without his brother too. Josh wants a world outside of basketball, and he wants his relationship with JB to remain unchanged. Now that Josh's actions have hurt someone, his sense of loneliness gets even worse. What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence? Get up to speed on the news Vermont is talking about, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Jordan insists that everyone call him JB. The Crossover has been winning top prizes and awards in childrens literature. 0000016558 00000 n
PS. First Quarter Quotes To get ready for the season, I went to three summer camps. Josh wants in, but Mom warns him not to interfere. 0000011131 00000 n
She runs past the boys' room and when, pull through and sends his love. As a consequence for his actions, his mom suspends him from the team. Josh is studying by himself. The Crossoverhas so much meaning for young adults. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. This is the beginning of a big change in Josh and JBs relationship. Mom's amendment in particular betrays that this is likely more serious than she's letting on. hbbd``b`$n zb1LL@k# #@ # _
Some of the language and experiences are counter to my own, which gives me a realistic glimpse into the life of an African American family. Cha c sn phm trong gi hng. So, certainly there are some things from my life that have probably creeped into this book. It began with Josh. kresge foundation jobs; dwarf rat vs mouse; sky internet down bolsover; terroni restaurant menu; lewis county, wa breaking news; Josh's letter offers the reader multiple ways to read it, though each way offers the same main point: Josh's loneliness is killing him, and he misses his brother. i6rUU-jIT
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nq. Climax: Dad dies during the championship game Antagonist: Hypertension and death; change Point of View: First-person Extra Credit for The Crossover As he meditates, Josh sees a picture of, Second-Person. And while Dad is telling us another story for the hundredth time, Mom removes the saltfrom the table and JB goes to the buffet.He brings back three packages of duck sauce and a cup of wonton soupand hands them all to me.Dad pauses, and Mom looks at JB.That was random, she says.What, isn't that what you wanted, Filthy? ", "THIRD QUARTER" to "At Noon, in the Gym, with Dad". "I love that word! In the next several poems, the . Josh grows resentful of JBs new relationship with his girlfriend as he feels left out and lonely. Hi Abby, Once again you have given detailed examination of the authors use of language. 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. What does he think, I'm stupid? This week, Josh makes the honor roll, watches the team win Game Nine, eats lunch alone, walks home alone, tries to atone day and night, sits next to JB at dinner (JB moves), does JBs chores (JB says nothing), and says hes sorry (JB doesnt listen). We begin with the poems of John Agard. I'm not paying attentionto anything he's sayingor to the dummy. In a letter to JB, written in two columns that can be read together or separately, Josh says that without his brother, he's empty. Vondie passes the ball to Josh and Josh passes to. This story, about twelve year old Josh and his twin Jordan, is a joyful and dynamic celebration of language. When my Dad gets pulled over, I worry that he is going to get a ticket; the thought that he would go to jail never crosses my mind. becauseI'm watching Jordan pass notesto Miss Sweet Tea. We are not liable to third-parties. In Mom, since you asked the author uses repetition to illustrate Joshs venting of everything that is causing his inner turmoil and anger. This implies that Josh dropped the proverbial ball when he passed to JB. And so the next poem starts with a definition: Seventh grader Matthew Goulette wonders where Alexanders ideas for The Crossover came from. JB only went toone. Josh goes about his routine, trying hard to repair what had been broken between JB and him. During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. Josh's exasperation with JB then suggests that he hasn't made this leap yet, even as he recognizes that diet is a good way to control Dad's high blood pressure. As Josh plays in the final game of the season, his Dad dies from a massive heart attack. As Josh begins to think of himself as a member of a choir and finds the ability to cheer for JB, he also begins to recognize that the rest of the team is made up of players who are also very good and deserving of recognition. The Crossoveris a wonderful mentor text for adolescent writers. There are sirens. 0000008243 00000 n
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. Joshs Basketball Rules that appear throughout the book are a great way to get students to engage with the message of the book and think about how they could apply these lessons to their own lives. JB and I look outthe windowat the exact momentwe pass by the malland I know exactlywhat JB wants.Dad, can we stop at that sneaker storein the mall?Yeah, Dad, can we? He's nearly six feet tall and has a twin, JB. We see this form emerge in Joshs thoughts about his game. 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. 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. Coach isn't worried; he starts blasting his favorite dance music. Even though he is. At 7:45, she asks about the score and how. The Crossover is a wonderful mentor text for adolescent writers. Mom and Dad are silent and serious in the front. And Iwonder what's in the notes. 0000014880 00000 n
On page 185, Coach shares with Josh that he got into a fight with his brother in high school and now they are estranged. Now can you go make my French toast please?. The racially segregated Navy base had dangerous and unfair working, For this month's Dorothy's List, seventh graders at Green Mountain Union in Chester have been reading the novel Unfriended by New York author Rachel, Subscribe To 'The Frequency,' Our Daily Morning Newsletter, Dorothy's List: 'The Scandalous Sisterhood Of Prickwillow Place'. Its called Booked. 1162410. And thats not the only story Alexander has been working on. 10. For Josh, however, his world is being turned upside down with Dad's poor health and JB's interest in Miss Sweet Tea, both of which leave Josh feeling alone, so this feels especially fraught for him. Josh does not know how he went from annoyed to grumpy to churlish. Its a novel-in-verse about identical twins Josh and Jordan who are basketball stars at their middle school. At the end of the chapter, why does the writing style change so drastically from what it was before, to sud This suggests that the loneliness was easier to deal with when Josh wasn't the one enforcing it. All of this is better than no girlfriend at all, which is what Josh has. From the doorway, a stricken Mom says he should go sit down for dinner. I think basketball and is father are reflections of each other. We see a strong marriage through the eyes of Josh; a relationship so strong he often alludes to the fact that he knows his parents are having sex; and though this appears to gross him out we can read between the lines to see his relief that all is good. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Symptoms like this suggest that Dad is at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Can JB run with him, help him heal, slash with him like they used to? And Im so thankful. Their dad is a former professional baller. 0000013846 00000 n
When I walk onto the court I prefer silence so I can watch, react, surprise. They are teammates in every sense of the word; able to wordlessly communicate on the court to become the stars of the team. This further allows students to practice at life as they experience Joshs reactions to conflict relevant to their own lives in the story. H\@. Dads blood pressure was so high during the game that his nose started bleeding profusely.
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I don't know Doing this will take away students enjoyment of the story further supporting their belief that poetry is uninteresting. Refine any search. Reproduced by permission of HarperCollins Publishers. He asks Dad if they can stop at the sneaker store. 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.. Yes, what attracts the junior high boys to her immediately is her pulchritude, but she quickly reveals herself to be smart, opinionated, talented at basketball, and a caring friend. Josh says that earlier, he walked into the gym covered in mud. Oh my goodness! Dad wakes up. I think it was very insightful inThe Crossoverto include the relationship Josh had with his coach. No warm-up. This shows how much he respects and leans on his coach to show him the way when he is unsure. The girls' lives are mundane under the, The fifth and sixth graders file down the stairs and into the school library, like they've done hundreds of times before. He even uses the word churlish to describe himself. what this means for his family--Dad won't be around to play basketball with him and. 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. And so that was the first character that I created. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The The Crossover quotes below are all either spoken by JB or refer to JB. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. With this reading, it's easier to see that both boys are currently nursing hurt feelings and likely don't want to be fighting, but don't know how to bridge the gap. Because he's relying on physical communication and violence to express himself, he's less successful and therefore, more upset. This belief helps me to experience family dynamics and conflicts both similar and different to my own. First, his churlish and aggressive behavior toward his twin has almost severed their relationship. He admits he is empty: he is the goal with no net. 4. She is at the house for dinner and Josh is surprised to hear JB asking for seconds of the healthy food. My mom was a school principal My dad played basketball before I was born. 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. The Crossover study guide contains a biography of Kwame Alexander, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. / But you cant / drop the ball (146). 5. Dad tries to break the tension by talking about Christmas and the turkey. There is a hint of a smile for Josh with that. Josh is thrilled to get to play, as he knows that when he and. They're the big kids at Beeman, In 1944, a disastrous explosion rocked a Naval base in California called Port Chicago. Discover award-winning poet Grace Nichols. He also wonders how to apologize to, his best to make up for what he did. Other of his many books (hes written 35!) Both Joshs parents and basketball coach provide non-didactic moral education for students to consider. Josh's assessment that Vondie's girlfriend (who he appears to think little of) is better than being single speaks to Josh's intense desire to join his friends in reaching this milestone. What does Josh want more in the book? This again shows how Dad prioritizes basketball over his health. Josh walks home alone after practice, which feels strange since he usually walks with, finds The Giver. All rights reserved. He and JB lock eyes; theres that seeing-a-ghost sensation again. I think Josh was the first character I wrote. Josh and JB generally get along; but they have very different personalities. Dad's bloody nose is another red flag that his health isn't as good as it should be. 1079 0 obj
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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) . Seventh grader Dylan DiPietro wonders how that feels. 4.7. By staying engaged with the team during his suspension, Josh is able to show them that he still cares for them and wants to support them. Said he didn't want to miss Bible school. The Crossover Characters Next Josh Josh Josh is the twelve-year-old protagonist of the novel. -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. Dad encourages Josh and, the second rebound. Missing the game is similar to not attending to his father. drives home from the hospital, the car is silent. 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. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Get this assignment written for you by Expert Writers in this subject. Again, Dad's desire to yell at the ref speaks to a desire to feel relevant and useful on the court, even though his playing days are over. Dad picks up the boys; he's cracking jokes, and theyre laughing. After two hours, Mom kicks the relatives out and after they leave, Dad calls. Before. At the stoplight, JB and Josh look out the window at the same time, and Josh knows what his brother is thinking. On page 26, he says, JB likes to taunt and trash talk during games like Dad used to do when he played. The Crossover Quotes and Analysis .I knew one day I'd need my own wings to fly.