What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence? Now can you go make my French toast please?. His dad revives and spends nineteen days in the hospital as Josh tries to get used to his new existence alone without JB who used to be his best friend. So I knew that the book would be told from the vantage point of a boy. Her first job in professional radio was at WVMX in Stowe, where she worked as News Director and co-host of The Morning Show. I mean, because basketball is poetry in motion, and so I thought lets use verse. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Its life changing. He asks if Josh and, On Christmas Eve. View The_Crossover__Notes__4.2.21.docx from ENGLISH 606 at Dulles H S. The Crossover Notes: Second & Third Quarter Second Quarter Second Quarter begins with two back-to-back poems titled . He smiles at Mom, gives, happy. Josh grows resentful of JBs new relationship with his girlfriend as he feels left out and lonely. Josh is on the phone with Vondie when he hears panting coming from Mom and Dads room but they dont have a dog. After two hours, Mom kicks the relatives out and after they leave, Dad calls. And when I was born he was a PhD. By analyzing how Alexander is able to use voice, word choice, sentence fluency and original ideas to write a powerful story, students will be able to create a story that reflects their own original idea. Josh narrates another play-by-play. This belief helps me to experience family dynamics and conflicts both similar and different to my own. Josh does not have much to say but apologizes. Dad apologizes to his family for losing his cool as. We see this form emerge in Joshs thoughts about his game. kresge foundation jobs; dwarf rat vs mouse; sky internet down bolsover; terroni restaurant menu; lewis county, wa breaking news; They will be able to relate to the topic, theme, setting and emotion conveyed in the story. By bringing up Dad's championship ring again, Josh reminds the reader that his goal in life is to one day be good enough to wear the ring. 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. This again shows how Dad prioritizes basketball over his health. The Crossover is a wonderful mentor text for adolescent writers. He admits he is empty: he is the goal with no net. The two - column structure used in the Crossover's poem "Dear Jordan" stands for; Josh and JB's broken relationship The two-column structure used in Dear Jordan symbolizes the broken relationship between the two brothers Josh and JB. Mom tries to reassure him that JB will always love him. This illustrates how a person can use language to shape their identity. By doing so we are pulled into Joshs life in the most intimate way; allowing us to make connections to our own lives and experiences. With six seconds to go, the Wildcats are up sixteen points. 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. Full Title: The Crossover When Written: 2009-2014 Where Written: Unknown When Published: 2014 Literary Period: Contemporary Genre: Young Adult Novel; Verse Novel Setting: An unnamed town in the U.S. becauseI'm watching Jordan pass notesto Miss Sweet Tea. Its fiction but certainly there are parts of my life that I remembered and drew from. One night while on the way to a game, Joshs Dad gets pulled over for a broken taillight. Cha c sn phm trong gi hng. This sets an example that his health isn't important, which puts Josh and JB at risk. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. 0000003750 00000 n JB only went toone. 10. Its made-up. 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. No practice to get ready. 0000001569 00000 n He unleashes a killer crossover and everyone is hollering as Dad dribbles to the hoop. 0000010458 00000 n Eighth grader Amy McGee's letter starts out this way: The apology poem that author Kwame Alexander wrote from Josh to JB in The Crossover is called "Dear Jordan." In this poem, Josh makes efforts to repair the cracked friendship between him and his brother. On page 185, Coach shares with Josh that he got into a fight with his brother in high school and now they are estranged. 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. The Childrens Bookshow is celebrating its 20th birthday this year with a brand-new free exhibition. 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. How are family relationships depicted? 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. However, some parts of the book are written as a lyric poem, which is melodic and soundlike. 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.. Though Josh never says so outright, this moment also suggests that he may have inherited or learned his love of English from Dad as well. And thats not the only story Alexander has been working on. Devon, good question. For some adolescents, this is a situation that crops up often. JB sweats profusely when Miss Sweet Tea walks into the room. She sends Josh luck and says that she made, to play one more game and is afraid that Dad is dying. People are watching; the crowd is growing; Josh and Dad are balling. 0000007875 00000 n At dinner, Mom is still upset about Josh's hair and makes. Second, Alexander increases the sense of foreboding when it comes to Chuck (JBs seeing-a-ghost expression is telling). Like Dad, Mom is able to take the long view and believe that this is a temporary phase in her sons' lives. gives a fry each to Josh and Vondie and then tells Josh that he and, Sweet Tea's divorced parents are estranged. The only caution I have for this book is making sure it is not overly analyzed. Kwame regularly speaks at conferences and universities all over the world. Identical twinsare no different from everyone else,except we look andsometimes soundexactly alike. endstream endobj 1080 0 obj <>>>/Filter/Standard/Length 128/O(+vtyd#\nOxe\))/P -1052/R 4/StmF/StdCF/StrF/StdCF/U(DJyd )/V 4>> endobj 1081 0 obj <> endobj 1082 0 obj <>>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> endobj 1083 0 obj <>stream 3. Dad is heading for the hoop when he stops short, screams, clutches his chest, and drops the ball. Dylan DiPietro: How did you react when you learned that The Crossover won the 2015 Newbury Award? JB is standing there and saying nothing; his eyes are looking past Josh. 0000009461 00000 n Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Joshs Dad gives him the nickname Filthy McNasty. GradeSaver, 9 September 2019 Web. Get this assignment written for you by Expert Writers in this subject. Dad is yelling from the stands and Mom is trying to calm him down. One day in school, JB passes a note to Josh to give to a girl he really likes, who Josh nicknames Miss Sweet Tea. Josh states that somewhere betweencamaraderieandimbecile I tap her beige bare shoulder with the note (pg. We see a deep bond between all the family members in the weekly traditions they have, the way they interact with each other, the things they say to each other. And for the first time in my lifeI don't want to be. Shes a candy striper and cheerleader, and she talks about her favorite color being purple. Can JB run with him, help him heal, slash with him like they used to? Mom and Dad's closet is off limits. Teachers and parents! He knows that this means, to Dad. 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. Matthew Goulette: Is this story based on your life or someone you know? PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. 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? And so, I was like, 'I gotta use this word.' 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. Both are skilled basketball players. What is the meaning of "his only fully developed exposition in 1941 of the strategic threat"? 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? drives home from the hospital, the car is silent. Mom gently chides him for eavesdropping but laughs when he says he learned that strategy from her. The Crossover is the story of twins but seventh grader Devon Kibbey noticed that readers get the point of view of only one brother. Profusely means to pour forth in great quantity. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Josh feels inspired when he is on the court, and this comes out in the rhymes that flow through him when he plays. Disclaimer: We are a custom writing service that provides customized for assistance purposes only. He cares for it meticulously every day, and this is why he declines, The game is tied. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. He also co-founded LEAP for Ghana, an International Literacy Program. 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. Josh wants in, but Mom warns him not to interfere. on tell the reader about what she values and what her priorities are? In other words, the loneliness is one thing, but feeling left behind in this regard is even more painful. i6rUU-jIT "/}N3t,neS>3%#O;(a46"poKR}l'ySlaAOEtV6`=vL nq. 0000029230 00000 n Josh gets a lot of accolades for being the Junior High MVP but Miss Sweet Tea tells him frankly that he is mean and did not deserve that award because of what he did to JB. Dad sighs that the boys are getting older and they will manage. In this activity, they will complete a Poem Analysis & Compare/Contrast Paired Text Activity. She was a VPR contributor from 2006 to 2020. Josh is extremely regretful for what he has done, never trying to defend himself, but JB naturally decides to keep his distance all the same. There is so much to unpack in this wonderfully written book that it would be easy to stop and analyze every single page; the figurative language, the formatting, the authors message. Need Help with this Assignment? Miss Sweet Tea calls 911 while, The doctor pats Jordan and me on the back and says. She lets the news drop: he is suspended from the team. If you could take one poem out of The Crossover to represent one of the themes in the book, which one would it be and why? 0000001216 00000 n Josh's concern and desire to go to Dad's doctor's appointment show that he's continuing to grow up and become more interested in other people aside from himself. If you could take one poem out of The Crossover to represent one of the themes in the book, which one would it be and why?Choose only one theme and only one poem.Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. I believe this book is a strong representation of cultural authenticity. He said, "I listen to instrumental jazz when Im writing, and I looked over to see what song it was and it was a song by Horace Silver called Filthy McNasty, and decided I am so going to use that name in this book.". forever. During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. Josh is concerned, asking about Moms advice to take it easy. 0000002682 00000 n What thoughts and emotions does Josh express in "Dear Jordan"? Vondie giggles. The Crossover study guide contains a biography of Kwame Alexander, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Its not memoir. Hes getting flyer, climbing the sky, exploding across the lane, crissing and crossing the ball, and taking the break. 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. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. Because the only thing that matters is swish.Because our backboard is splintered. Dad is joking and telling stories about Italy. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. }t>PPbDd# [:~d>L\GA!jlTbwK0mc.k^s0Ox\,b+vG[/awOz*7;+g'z;Z6Q:HL= mRJ+FWc-} WzH0 f"z77^z@5+BG'2WHQ~Iw}G4x}4GvP{6@hOpZk-'I}%G_k@+Kd tJxqcZw/;j 9/D> =f'(tfu@ g8 (^}Q:Kk3j&Re]=(\jcJska-47-ZCH59K5yD+3$W6eSFTi^1h8GPcGvXxiTH}"P;@6sumtuL FUEmp%L_Xtj-XN(6\a'DS>_Uby2L+WnVm7e `67NL"M}lMlX1Z "Xk'joePIh|Z/vB0eAu9Hl cpF^&=?!+y\S^kLS_X71m m'sJ`U"6="-=8{Ud Dad races down the stairs to yell at the ref that what happened to, call the doctor or else. 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. As Josh plays in the final game of the season, his Dad dies from a massive heart attack. are down by seven. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Sons of basketball legend Chuck Da Man Bell, basketball is in their blood. 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. Change). The Crossover Characters Next Josh Josh Josh is the twelve-year-old protagonist of the novel. Josh takes his problem to Dad and says that. When the game starts, Josh looks up to his parents, but theyre not there. Joshs mom is the assistant principal at his school, a fact he doesnt love. Dad tries to break the tension by talking about Christmas and the turkey. Plus he has MJ sheets . Advertisement bfordjohnson dear jordan poem the crossover. (including. In the locker room. Josh is thrilled to get to play, as he knows that when he and. JB's choice to side with Miss Sweet Tea is an overt way to show Josh that he's still angry and not willing to make up. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. The fact that Josh is listening offers hope that, given what he's seen, he'll take Mom's side and take better care of himself in the future. "Dear Jordan" from The Crossover A cleave poem about twin brothers and basketball. He wants the boys to be their own people, and he wants them to know that becoming someone different is okay and expected. Mom insists that Dad call Dr. Youngblood. 0000020561 00000 n The two-column structure used in the Crossover's poem "Dear Jordan" stands for; The two-column structure used in Dear Jordan symbolizes the broken relationship between the two brothers Josh and JB. His suggestion to write JB a letter again speaks to the power of words and communication. 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. Josh's stay in the hospital while caring for his sick father, his father's eventual demise further made him lonely and he frantically sought to repair the relationship. Dad's message does much the same thing, though it seems much more in character for Dad. 5m%4|#w gJVxx3@#vwd)}Dt9h'3S? 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. can you help me heal, run with me, slash with me like we used to? Josh is making moves and dribbling; Dad gets the ball, winks, dips, and sweats. 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. All rights reserved. Jordan insists that everyone call him JB. Josh does not know how he went from annoyed to grumpy to churlish. She asks him sternly if hes lost his mind, and she says boys who dont have self-control end up behind bars. Alexander says he came across the name while working on the story. He asks Dad if they can stop at the sneaker store. As a consequence for his actions, his mom suspends him from the team. 0000038553 00000 n denly giving just brief visual descriptions and using lots of ellipses? Dad is screaming, running down the stairs, and yelling at the ref. 1079 0 obj <> endobj Its a novel-in-verse about identical twins Josh and Jordan who are basketball stars at their middle school. ;0&0a= 9!AlF_,@Q X26XAn9 yXdPM? He admits he is empty: he is the goal with no net. More books than SparkNotes. 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. That it was going to be a 12-year-old boy. We only learn more about her personality towards the end of the book when she comes to dinner with JBs family. question about the great Gatsby chapter 2: the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. Mom's amendment in particular betrays that this is likely more serious than she's letting on. 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) . Josh hugs Mom and tells her how grateful he is for her loving him, Dad, and JB; he says that she is the best mother in the world. They are like two stars / stealing sun and like two brothers / burning up. The score is tied and clock ticks as. 23-12. The Crossoverhas so much meaning for young adults. The crossover is Joshs signature move, something his Dad taught him. Suddenly, Josh sees, team in Italy. 10. Assign this text to deeply engage your students! She runs past the boys' room and when, pull through and sends his love. . (21) $1.99. Mom's phone rings and she shrieks. . This story, about twelve year old Josh and his twin Jordan, is a joyful and dynamic celebration of language. Symptoms like this suggest that Dad is at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Missing the game is similar to not attending to his father. Its completely fiction. He says it all started with one synonym for "beautiful," in this passage from The Crossover: "Oh my goodness, what a word, Amy," said Alexander. So it was chronological. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Rather than just letting the boys go to bed, Mom makes them read. Vondie passes to, that they're going to go home. Climax: Dad dies during the championship game Antagonist: Hypertension and death; change Point of View: First-person Extra Credit for The Crossover Dads kneeling weakly on the floor with a pool of vomit below him. The dialect, slang and colorful personalities of Josh and his family members makes me feel like I am reading about a real family. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Take a look! 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. Mom tells Jordan she wants to meet his new friend; Dad chimes in that they want to meet the girl who took JB away. Her looks not her personality is what first catches JBs attention. In Mom, since you asked the author uses repetition to illustrate Joshs venting of everything that is causing his inner turmoil and anger. they win the championship trophy. Vermont Public's News CoverageGovernment & Politics | The Vermont Economy | Criminal Justice & Public Safety | Arts & Culture | Education | Health | Energy & Environment | Food & Agriculture | Series & Specials, Investigations | Brave Little State | Vermont Edition | New England News Collaborative (NENC) | VPR Archive. Speaking of Alexis, even though the main characters of this book are obviously boys, Alexander does not make Alexis merely an object of desire or a dull cipher. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. He turns out the light to go to sleep and hears his brother say Thanks.. Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. They have the added bonus of helping people realize that he isn't, Mom always makes Dad sit at the very top of the bleachers during Josh and. Choose only one theme and only one poem. He's nearly six feet tall and has a twin, JB. Other of his many books (hes written 35!) H\@. . But then, things start to unravel as JB starts to get more interested in girls. Unfortunately, that wouldnt be a middle grade novel. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. When Dad shifts the conversation to make it about losing his cool rather than his poor health, it shows that he's still trying to ignore his hypertension and wants to keep it a secret from his sons. His family unit is strong, though it is not always perfect. At first, Josh doesnt love the nickname, but it takes on a special meaning when it becomes a code between him and his Dad when he is on the court; a signal he is doing well. In the next several poems, the . 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. When Dad holds his chest, it's a signal that he's not okay and he's likely lying to Josh. We are not liable to third-parties. Josh and JB generally get along; but they have very different personalities. Mom texts a few times that she and Dad needed to leave because Dad did not feel wellhes fine, just tired. His life is broken like puzzle pieces and he can no longer fit. Childrens Literature, Briefly(6th ed.). This seems to support the stereotype that girls intellect and personality are secondary to their looks. Coach isn't worried; he starts blasting his favorite dance music. Notice that Josh hasn't said anything about being particularly interested in sneakers himself; that's JB's thing. So I didnt get the cool dad, I got the academic scholar dad that made me read books. PS. We put their questions a to Kwame Alexander. Mom and Dad are serious, while, few weeks. Devon Kibbey: How did you decide that you were going to write the story from Joshs perspective? We see the shock wave ripple through the family when all their attempts to help Dad take ownership for his health fails and he dies. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." "Mom doesn't like us eating out" to "How Do You Spell Trouble? His preferred nickname is, the game. Kwame Alexander: "Oh my gosh! Both Joshs parents and basketball coach provide non-didactic moral education for students to consider. Vondie is suffocated by the defense and JB cant make the shot; the Wildcats are down at the end of the first half. However, this also means that Dad then isn't properly managing his condition, which puts him at risk of ending up in the hospital for an emergency.