0000001216 00000 n A cleave poem about twin brothers and basketball. At lunch, Coach comes over to where Vondie and Josh are and gives Josh a lecture about making up with his brother. We kept her home all day and just sort of got on the couch, lit the fire, smiled, laughed, danced and sort of basked in the joy of this wonderful honor. Instant PDF downloads. No warm-up. This shows how much he respects and leans on his coach to show him the way when he is unsure. VU- endstream endobj 17 0 obj <>>> endobj 18 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 19 0 obj <>stream a7[6se7U>rcf[,+*@j3(9 "Jordan" is thought by most critics to allude to the Jordan River that is important to the people of Israel in the Old and New Testaments. 10. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Thus, readers come to know how the power of words and vibrant language evoke deep emotional responses as we read about Joshs life. Yeah, its sort of still a little tough to talk about because its overwhelming. Josh ruefully says he will talk to Mom since he can see how much it means to Dad, but he adds that she is worried about him. "I love that word! The significance of this comes across when Josh says, There are no coaches at funerals. We see how extended family fits into the puzzle and what feelings the main characters has at this time. Pre-made quizzes on The Crossover Eight Week Quiz D that include 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions for a quick in-class quiz. He wonders if she actually plays. He even uses the word churlish to describe himself. I think Josh was the first character I wrote. The Crossover study guide contains a biography of Kwame Alexander, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Dad jokes about the name. This family creates a strong foundation for the boys to continuously go back to as they seek to find their way through the muck of adolescence. He cares for it meticulously every day, and this is why he declines, The game is tied. Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop makes the point that in multicultural literature, a characters humanity should come through. After the funeral, Josh makes another attempt to reconcile with JB when JB gives him his fathers championship ring by saying, We Da Man. The author leaves us with the sense that the brothers will find their way back to each other. Josh wants in, but Mom warns him not to interfere. like two stars stealing sun, like two brothers burning up. For example, when Joshs dad is pulled over by the police officer for a broken taillight, Josh is worried he is going to go to jail. Josh is studying by himself. Being named the MVP even though he's currently suspended speaks to how good a player Josh is. (LogOut/ This sets an example that his health isn't important, which puts Josh and JB at risk. 0 In this poem, Josh makes efforts to repair the cracked friendship between him and his brother. on tell the reader about what she values and what her priorities are? Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Can JB run with him, help him heal, slash with him like they used to? The Crossover, by award-winning children's book author and poet Kwame Alexander, was published in 2014 and won the 2015 Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award Honor for children's literature. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Devon Kibbey: How did you decide that you were going to write the story from Joshs perspective? . This again shows how Dad prioritizes basketball over his health. This also offers hope that, if Josh can catch the ball next time, he might be able to make things better. When JB asks for seconds of salad, it shows that he recognizes that eating well is a good way to impress girls. Hi Abby, Once again you have given detailed examination of the authors use of language. Oh my goodness! Joshs interior state as he contemplates these changes in his life is a testament to Alexanders ability to capture the complexity of a teenager. comes for dinner, she asks for seconds of Mom's veggie lasagna. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Coach gives the team a pep talk. The crossover is Joshs signature move, something his Dad taught him. Notice that Josh hasn't said anything about being particularly interested in sneakers himself; that's JB's thing. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. This offers some hope that his eventual return will be accepted by all. Alexis calls and Josh answers; she says hello and asks for JB. The team thanks JB profusely for getting them to the championship. On page 26, he says, JB likes to taunt and trash talk during games like Dad used to do when he played. Kwame is the Founding Editor of Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt that aims to Change the World One Word at a Time. Teachers and parents! Assign this text to your students for free. 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. Theyre not alone. Want to help more children attend our events in the future? As, Free Throws Tonight. 0000003834 00000 n Dad reminds the boys of how, when they were seven, asks when the big game is, and Josh asks why he never took him and, points out that the big game is tomorrow, Dad wants to know if he and, goes to the library alone, shoots free throws and eats donuts alone. 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) . And so the next poem starts with a definition: Seventh grader Matthew Goulette wonders where Alexanders ideas for The Crossover came from. On page 185, Coach shares with Josh that he got into a fight with his brother in high school and now they are estranged. My wife and I danced My daughter, whos seven-years-old, in second grade, she woke up and she came in the room and said, Whats all the commotion for? And we said, Daddy just won the Newbury Medal. And she said, Yay! All rights reserved. During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. He tells a joke and, finally, they all laugh. "FOURTH QUARTER" to "Free Throws" Summary and Analysis, "Bad News" to "Before" Summary and Analysis. 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. When Josh tells the reader about Mom's dislike of standards and giving JB the vocabulary words, Josh demonstrates his growing maturity and that he cares for others. the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. The Crossoveris a wonderful mentor text for adolescent writers. To make matters worse, encourages the rest of the team to step up since Josh isn't playing. ", "THIRD QUARTER" to "At Noon, in the Gym, with Dad". This book presents a realistic view of family life; the constant cycle of joys and hurdles. Dad's bloody nose is another red flag that his health isn't as good as it should be. 0000031472 00000 n The score is tied and clock ticks as. 0000057497 00000 n At the end of the chapter, why does the writing style change so drastically from what it was before, to sud he asks. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. Though we see female characters present in the story, they are only secondary characters that further define the role of the male in the story. Coach, Dad, and the crowd all scream for Josh to pass the ball. On the way home from the hospital, there is no music and no talking. He and his twin brother Jordanor JBare basketball stars and are best friends on and off the court. 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 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. Josh whispers to Dad that JB wont talk to him, and Dad replies that he just has to let the smoke clear. Outside their classroom, seventh and eighth graders at Rutland Town School are bounce passing and showing off their basketball moves, including the move their latest read was named for the crossover. JB is on the other side of the backseat, but Josh feels miles away from all of them. The fact that Dad does his best to correct himself and call Josh what he wants to be called shows that Dad is happy to show Josh the same kind of understanding that he showed JB when he asked him to invite Miss Sweet Tea for dinner. The problem stemmed from Josh's belief that JB had taken his female friend from him. 0000007152 00000 n Both are skilled basketball players. 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. I also see many students who are similar to Josh lean on their relationships with their sport coaches for stability. The Childrens Bookshow is a registered charity no. And then, of course, I thought, 'What middle grade kid, or teacher for that matter, is gonna know what that word means?'". I am writing a prequel to The Crossover. One night while on the way to a game, Joshs Dad gets pulled over for a broken taillight. All Rights Reserved. What news is related in the poem "Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14)"? Mom asks how they met and JB is full of details, explaining how she came into the lunchroom, how he learned she played basketball, and how he told Vondie she was pulchritudinous. Josh decides to sit with the team today instead of up with Mom and Dad. 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. Excitement--like what Dad might have felt upon receiving this letter--likely raised his blood pressure and made him vomit, which indicates that Dad is even sicker than he's letting on. As Josh pulls out the book, he sees Miss Sweet Tea and, also afraid that Mom will reach her tipping point and ban basketball if he and, tomorrow, concerned about Dad, and hates how his hair feels, he can't sleep mostly because, Surprised. 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. We see this in Joshs description of their playing style. Coach doesnt allow Josh to start the game since he was late, and later, something in Josh snaps. She and Coach try to control Dad. This is a life lesson that many young readers have a strong reaction to and would welcome the opportunity to discuss in a safe environment to voice their anger, fear and outrage. 0000006505 00000 n They were missing Josh Filthy McNasty Bell, though, who is this papers Most Valuable Player. Keen editors and support staff will supervise the task for you to guarantee Quality and ORIGINAL paper that scores high. The dialect, slang and colorful personalities of Josh and his family members makes me feel like I am reading about a real family. 1090 0 obj <>stream Josh that he's mean and doesn't deserve the distinction, especially after what he did to. Joshs spinach and tofu lunch is cruel, but not as cruel as the look Miss Sweet Tea gives him. What is the meaning of "his only fully developed exposition in 1941 of the strategic threat"? Dad falls, his eyes roll, and Josh screams. Kwame Alexander: Wouldnt it be cool to write a sequel where theyre playing high school basketball, and they go to college and get drafted into the NBA? He's alone because, game. The only caution I have for this book is making sure it is not overly analyzed. She also asks where, where it's stuck, wedged between the rim and the backboard. In Dear Jordan, we see the authors use of similes and metaphors in the letter Josh writes to JD in order to convey how sorry he is. And so that was the first character that I created. Ever sinceKim Bazemore kissed him in Sunday school,he's been acting all religious. He smiles at Mom, gives, happy. Dad passes to Josh, Josh passes to, use it in another sentence, he wonders why pulchritudinous Miss Sweet Tea is talking to, Walking Home. i6rUU-jIT "/}N3t,neS>3%#O;(a46"poKR}l'ySlaAOEtV6`=vL nq. Instead of passing JB the ball when he was wide open, he smashes him in the face with a pass hard enough to draw blood. 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. Mom and Dad are serious, while, few weeks. "Filthy McNasty" is described as being what mythical creature in the poem by the same name? H\@. homes for sale in fishersville, va; 22 . Shes a candy striper and cheerleader, and she talks about her favorite color being purple. Josh struggles to answer and says he's sorry and didn't mean to hurt, Mom insists that's not acceptable and reminds Josh that he'll need to apologize to, doesn't understand how his behavior became so churlish. All of this is better than no girlfriend at all, which is what Josh has. In the next several poems, the . Seeing the proverbial ghost again suggests that things are about to change. Explore the poetry of Michael Rosen in our Joy of Poetry series. . 2016, pg 98). Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Disclaimer: We are a custom writing service that provides customized for assistance purposes only. He tells Josh it was something he ate, and he changes the subject to how he just got a coaching job at a nearby college. 0000020561 00000 n Dylan DiPietro: How did you react when you learned that The Crossover won the 2015 Newbury Award? Given that Dad's dad died in the hospital of hypertension, it's understandable that Dad is unwilling to seek help out of fear. Mom's amendment in particular betrays that this is likely more serious than she's letting on. JB and his attacker stare at each other. The tension between Josh and Jordan escalates, and they both do regrettable things. Alexander reveals in a subtle and moving way how eventually the brothers start to move incrementally closer together again, such as with Josh writing JB a letter or giving him his vocabulary study materials, but it is realistic in that it is painful and happens in fits and starts. Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. 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. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. 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. Even though he is. So it was chronological. And it is about the father when he was 12-years-old. ", How did I react? Josh is making moves and dribbling; Dad gets the ball, winks, dips, and sweats. dear jordan poem the crossover. This suggests that the loneliness was easier to deal with when Josh wasn't the one enforcing it. 4. 10. atonement in the Crossover using the poem "Dear Jordan" . And Iwonder what's in the notes. This illustrates how a person can use language to shape their identity. Alexander also found a way to sneak some of his favorite words into the book. kresge foundation jobs; dwarf rat vs mouse; sky internet down bolsover; terroni restaurant menu; lewis county, wa breaking news; Get up to speed on the news Vermont is talking about, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Vondie giggles. Now can you go make my French toast please?. In this activity, they will complete a Poem Analysis & Compare/Contrast Paired Text Activity. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com, to seamlessly bring different poetry elements, forms of poetry and genres of writing together to help the reader. He's nearly six feet tall and has a twin, JB. 6yOk5qTo1?WIo(l _MR-a`3+"1@ Though Josh is once again able to use his vocabulary words to make his life make more sense, he also indicates that his ability to effectively communicate is waning. 0000021078 00000 n Mom's phone rings and she shrieks. 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. And for the first time in my lifeI don't want to be. Mom smiles and says hell be back on the team in no time, but she warns him not to press his luck. At the End of Warm-Ups, My Brother Tries to Dunk. Its called Booked. Dad replies sadly that he let them down, and Josh asks what he should do. Its made-up. Missing the game is similar to not attending to his father. The Crossoverhas so much meaning for young adults. His eyes shut. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Pulchritudinous! He asks Jordan to help him and hang out with him again. Climax: Dad dies during the championship game Antagonist: Hypertension and death; change Point of View: First-person Extra Credit for The Crossover Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Complete your free account to request a guide. Mom and Dad's choice to turn the conversation to JB and his relationship with Miss Sweet Tea shows again that they understand his new relationship is a normal part of his coming of age. they win the championship trophy. Josh takes his problem to Dad and says that. n :BSlGrm My mom was a school principal My dad played basketball before I was born. Mom insists that Dad call Dr. Youngblood. "The Crossover THIRD QUARTER to At Noon, in the Gym, with Dad Summary and Analysis". 1079 0 obj <> endobj Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Mom and Dad are silent and serious in the front. together. 0000029230 00000 n She was a VPR contributor from 2006 to 2020. His life is broken like puzzle pieces and he can no longer fit. At dinner Josh sits next to. JB echoes.And the word wenever soundedsweeter. She sends Josh luck and says that she made, to play one more game and is afraid that Dad is dying. ;0&0a= 9!AlF_,@Q X26XAn9 yXdPM? At Rutland Town School, the students put themselves in Joshs shoes and tried writing their own letters to Jordan, whose nickname is JB. Tomorrow is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation, Usually, Josh helps JB study, but JBs been studying alone lately. In this poem, the author uses short, choppy lines to convey a sense of urgency; this narrates the story of Joshs dads heart attack. People are watching; the crowd is growing; Josh and Dad are balling. Change). Generally, this type of poem focuses on personal moments or feelings or image laden scenes (Tunnell et al. The Crossover Summary The narrator of the novel (which is told in verse) is Josh Bell, an 8th-grade boy. 0000009882 00000 n You know, that would be a high school novel, or a young adult novel, or an adult novel for that matter. During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. They are like "two stars / stealing sun" and "like two brothers / burning up. Copyright 2014 by Kwame Alexander. Fights between friends usually end in a cutting off of the relationship as opposed to engaging in healthy conflict to find a resolution. Both Joshs parents and basketball coach provide non-didactic moral education for students to consider. 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. Josh goes about his routine, trying hard to repair what had been broken between JB and him. The two-column structure used in the Crossover's poem "Dear Jordan" is a symbol of: question about the great Gatsby chapter 2: We put their questions a to Kwame Alexander. In the book "The Crossover" there is a poem called "Dear Jordan" where Josh is explaining how sorry he is. / together" (159). hbbd``b`$n zb1LL@k# #@ # _ The Crossover is flying off library shelves like a half-court sinker. 0000013846 00000 n With Dad no longer in the bleachers, it suggests that he'll be the one in trouble this time, while JB was the one who suffered last time. Come spring, these Rutland Town readers may be inspired to head out to the soccer pitch as well. gives a fry each to Josh and Vondie and then tells Josh that he and, Sweet Tea's divorced parents are estranged. 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. Get this assignment written for you by Expert Writers in this subject. How did the structure of the poem "Dear Jordan" on page 130 help us learn more about Josh and JB's relationship? Second, Alexander increases the sense of foreboding when it comes to Chuck (JBs seeing-a-ghost expression is telling). 0000011131 00000 n The Crossover has been winning top prizes and awards in childrens literature. Why do you think Josh is seemingly more upset about missing the game than his dads health? Josh is on the phone with Vondie when he hears panting coming from Mom and Dads room but they dont have a dog. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Cha c sn phm trong gi hng. Vondie has a girlfriend now, too. This book is also available as a graphic novel! What seemed to be a great disappointment for Myrtle concerning her marriage to George? 1086 0 obj <>/Encrypt 1080 0 R/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<61646262373637383037366663616638366338393836303261386561666634336264323463323264316164333866373366333835346439303963633665616633>]/Index[1079 12]/Info 1078 0 R/Length 55/Prev 879473/Root 1081 0 R/Size 1091/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream It's, The boys each ask how the other is and then, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. In particular, it begins to align him with Dad, who is still highly regarded even though he's also not playing. 0000016479 00000 n 0000012743 00000 n He thinks that when he threw the ball at, day of school before winter break, Mom works late so Dad picks up Josh and, Dad agrees and hits Josh in the chest with the ball--Josh was distracted while watching, still. 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.. Struggling with distance learning? And thats not the only story Alexander has been working on. Shes justifiably annoyed with Josh for the way he treated his brother, but she is capable of moving past that and forgiving Josh, even reaching out to him and inviting him to the Duke game at the very end of the novel. Discover award-winning poet Grace Nichols. She lets the news drop: he is suspended from the team. 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. 0000001668 00000 n Said he didn't want to miss Bible school. They will be able to relate to the topic, theme, setting and emotion conveyed in the story. JB is playing like Superman, and he gets the team to the championship with his lightning plays. Josh asks, incredulous, about the house, Mom, him, and JB. 1. 80). What, isn't that what you wanted, Filthy? Write an essay for ONE of the following topics: Essay Topic 1. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. The Crossover Quotes and Analysis .I knew one day I'd need my own wings to fly. 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. What thoughts and emotions does Josh express in "Dear Jordan"? Can JB run with him, help him heal, slash with him like they used to? 0000010458 00000 n Symptoms like this suggest that Dad is at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Tomorrow Is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation. Before the three-on-three, Josh challenges Dad to a quick one-on-one. How are family relationships depicted? are gone. What does the postscript say in "Dear Jordan"? 0000003226 00000 n The story is told from Joshs point of view. (21) $1.99. Refine any search. Dad is yelling from the stands and Mom is trying to calm him down. Mom tells Jordan she wants to meet his new friend; Dad chimes in that they want to meet the girl who took JB away. As Josh plays in the final game of the season, his Dad dies from a massive heart attack. And when I was born he was a PhD. 0000013468 00000 n Dad races down the stairs to yell at the ref that what happened to, call the doctor or else. Its life changing. When JB seems willing to laugh and agrees with Josh's request, it suggests that he sees this as the olive branch that it is and is now willing to start to move forward. I think it was very insightful inThe Crossoverto include the relationship Josh had with his coach. One of those actions leads Josh to write an apology letter to his brother. I think basketball and is father are reflections of each other. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. 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. Actively Learn provides free ELA, science, and social studies digital contentshort stories, primary sources, textbook sections, science articles, novels, videos, and moreand embeds them with assignments aligned to standards for all 50 states that you can assign immediately or customize for your students. I'm not paying attentionto anything he's sayingor to the dummy. Alexander says he came across the name while working on the story. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. is blocked, which results in that part of the heart muscle suffering damage or dying. JB asks.And even though I never opened my mouth,I say, Thanks,becauseit is. Ruth Bishop said that poetry has a kind of magic and can help the reader see ordinary things in new ways. InThe Crossover,Alexander takes risks with his writing to authentically represent the culture of Josh, his family and friends. The boys know theyre getting books like they always do for Christmas, but Dad tells them hes proud of how theyve done in school so they can pick out a gift and hell get it for them. We see how angst ridden sibling rivalries can be and how challenging those relationships can be for both parents and children. Essay Topics. thinking less and less aboutbasketball, and more and more aboutGIRLS.