Whether youre looking for The Tell-Tale Heart, The Hate U Give, The Gettysburg Address, or current science articles and simulations, Actively Learn is the free go-to source to help you guide your students' growth in critical thinking all year. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Suddenly, Josh sees, team in Italy. That boy is special, and it doesn't hurtthat Chuck "Da Man" Bell is his father.And mine, too. Hes getting flyer, climbing the sky, exploding across the lane, crissing and crossing the ball, and taking the break. are down by seven. From the doorway, a stricken Mom says he should go sit down for dinner. 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. First he would use the word in a poem, then he would write a second poem to define the word. 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 0000013468 00000 n Mom then sighs that they are done, and Josh asks what the consequences are. His parents continue to press upon him the value of working hard and the importance of education. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Joshs interior state as he contemplates these changes in his life is a testament to Alexanders ability to capture the complexity of a teenager. Ruth Bishop said that poetry "has a kind of magic and can help the reader see ordinary things in new ways." The Crossoveris a wonderful mentor text for adolescent writers. JB is standing there and saying nothing; his eyes are looking past Josh. Seventh grader Dylan DiPietro wonders how that feels. Coach gives the team a pep talk. These poems are also concrete poems, taking on the shape of the words to further represent how Josh feels when he plays basketball. They are like "two stars / stealing sun" and "like two brothers / burning up. Um, so yeah. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Josh is on the phone with Vondie when he hears panting coming from Mom and Dads room but they dont have a dog. He wonders if she actually plays. 0000029230 00000 n i6rUU-jIT "/}N3t,neS>3%#O;(a46"poKR}l'ySlaAOEtV6`=vL nq. People are watching; the crowd is growing; Josh and Dad are balling. JB is on fire; Coach, Alexis, and Josh are his choir. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Josh whispers to Dad that JB wont talk to him, and Dad replies that he just has to let the smoke clear. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. What news is related in the poem "Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14)"? He almost dunks, but an elbow comes up and fouls him to the floor. 0000057497 00000 n 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. 0000007293 00000 n He admits he is empty: he is the goal with no net. The two-column structure used in the Crossover's poem "Dear Jordan" is a symbol of: question about the great Gatsby chapter 2: Hes out cold. JB is on the other side of the backseat, but Josh feels miles away from all of them. It's, The boys each ask how the other is and then, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. 0000021078 00000 n What does her reacti Osborne-Bartucca, Kristen. Want to help more children attend our events in the future? 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. Because he's relying on physical communication and violence to express himself, he's less successful and therefore, more upset. Dad is heading for the hoop when he stops short, screams, clutches his chest, and drops the ball. 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. 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? is blocked, which results in that part of the heart muscle suffering damage or dying. This illustrates how a person can use language to shape their identity. When JB echoes, Yeah, Dad, can we? (189), the word we has never sounded so sweet to Josh. Advertisement bfordjohnson Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. -Graham S. Though Josh offers no insight into JB's thought process, it's worth considering that Josh's violent pass likely came as a surprise and was therefore even more hurtful than it might have been. "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. Again, Josh's desire to help and be a part of the game in some way speaks to his sense of loyalty to Dad and to the rest of the team, especially JB. He calms down, but suddenly his nose gushes blood. When the game starts, Josh looks up to his parents, but theyre not there. I mean, because basketball is poetry in motion, and so I thought lets use verse. I would say there are some gender stereotypes present in the book. In the next several poems, the . Dad's heart attack here makes it clear that Mom is right: Dad shouldn't play anymore if he wants to preserve his health. Just because he wants to repair his relationship with JB, does not mean he still doesnt have trouble with Alexis. Shes a candy striper and cheerleader, and she talks about her favorite color being purple. In this poem, Josh makes efforts to repair the cracked friendship between him and his brother. What health problem does Chuck suffer from? Complete your free account to request a guide. 10. Josh walks home alone after practice, which feels strange since he usually walks with, finds The Giver. Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14). 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 . Change). 0000003226 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. Oh my goodness! 0000012743 00000 n 0000011723 00000 n He admits he is empty: he is the goal with no net. Alexis calls 911 and JB rushes to get water to splash Dads face. I believe this book is a strong representation of cultural authenticity. The Question and Answer section for The Crossover is a great When Mom and Josh are washing dishes, he asks when Dads appointment is. This book presents a realistic view of family life; the constant cycle of joys and hurdles. One of the big changes in Joshs world is that his twin brother Jordan has started spending more time talking to girls and less time playing ball with him. Dear Jordan. Complete your free account to request a guide. Here is a poem from The Crossover: Dear Jordan without u i am empty, the goal with no net, seems my life was broken shattered, like puzzle pieces on the court. 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. He and JB lock eyes; theres that seeing-a-ghost sensation again. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. 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. JB is running and gunning; he is a shooting star. The problem stemmed from Josh's belief that JB had taken his female friend from him. The Crossover Quotes and Analysis .I knew one day I'd need my own wings to fly. 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 Josh feels inspired when he is on the court, and this comes out in the rhymes that flow through him when he plays. The Crossover Summary The narrator of the novel (which is told in verse) is Josh Bell, an 8th-grade boy. He has a book coming out in April about a soccer player who doesnt like to read. 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. When we asked them how they liked the book, they raved about the book. Childrens Literature, Briefly(6th ed.). 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. This book is also available as a graphic novel! . No warm-up. This shows how much he respects and leans on his coach to show him the way when he is unsure. The score of the Wildcats' first game is 35-18. How does he apologize to his twin brother for being churlish and almost breaking his nose? Do depictions of all cultures avoid oversimplification or offer genuine insights? When JB and Josh are in a fight, she takes JBs side without question because this is the expectation for her as a girlfriend. 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. 0000028950 00000 n At the end of the chapter, why does the writing style change so drastically from what it was before, to sud Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. The only caution I have for this book is making sure it is not overly analyzed. 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. 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. Before. He knows that this means, to Dad. Before the three-on-three, Josh challenges Dad to a quick one-on-one. 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. As Josh and JB take over caring for their father, the tables turn and suddenly, they're thrown into adult roles. 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. 1162410. Josh does not know if JB read his letter, but on the bus, he made a joke about Vondies forehead being a five-head and he could feel JB laughing a little. Its written in two columns and the author says it can actually be read several different ways: top to bottom, left to right or diagonally. He tells a joke and, finally, they all laugh. Get this assignment written for you by Expert Writers in this subject. ;0&0a= 9!AlF_,@Q X26XAn9 yXdPM? 0000009118 00000 n 0000007152 00000 n Dad is gone "like the end of a good song. In Mom, since you asked the author uses repetition to illustrate Joshs venting of everything that is causing his inner turmoil and anger. 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? I agree with you that this book has a WEALTH of useful elements (language, theme, characters, etc) and one needs to make sure not to overanalyze but also allow for the enjoyment AND connection of the reader with the story, the language and the characters. Get up to speed on the news Vermont is talking about, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Even though he is. And, eventually after maybe a draft of it I knew that I wanted him to have a twin brother. The realization that JB is masturbating in the shower again shows Josh that JB is developing much faster than he is, though the lack of judgment in Josh's tone suggests he's becoming more used to the idea of JB changing. Dad races down the stairs to yell at the ref that what happened to, call the doctor or else. 3. To make matters worse, encourages the rest of the team to step up since Josh isn't playing. He was only 39 and might have had a chance if he had seen a doctor sooner. Reproduced by permission of HarperCollins Publishers. %%EOF The fact that Josh was driven to (unintentional) violence at all speaks to the intensity of his feelings, which are made even more intense by the fact that Josh is entering puberty and starting to grow up. In this way, she tries to distract Josh by talking about anything else to keep him from worrying about Dad. 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. Dad's message does much the same thing, though it seems much more in character for Dad. 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. 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 uses it in a sentence and says that in Mom and Dad's closet, he and, all the teasing dies down, the game begins. That it was going to be a 12-year-old boy. 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. Doing this will take away students enjoyment of the story further supporting their belief that poetry is uninteresting. As the boys walk home from practice, Josh peppers, After dinner. The characters listen to the same music as they do, covet the same shoes, use the same slang. 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. game against Olive Branch Junior High, and that the team seemed unhurt by Josh's absence. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Josh does not know how he went from annoyed to grumpy to churlish. Dad's championship ring.Between the bouncingand sobbing, I whisper, Why? Tomorrow is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation, Usually, Josh helps JB study, but JBs been studying alone lately. I was going to sort of remember what I went through during that age and I sort of knew that that was going to be the point of view, from his perspective. I danced around my room. homes for sale in fishersville, va; 22 . The paired text students will look at is Michael Jordan's 2003 Retirement Letter, also titled "Dear Basketball."In 2015, Bryant announced his retirement . He also thinks that it's ironic that, drills, Coach leads the team in meditation. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. This again shows how Dad prioritizes basketball over his health. Thus, they will be able to create characters based on what they know or what they want to see reflected in literature. He cares for it meticulously every day, and this is why he declines, The game is tied. 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. How did the structure of the poem "Dear Jordan" on page 130 help us learn more about Josh and JB's relationship? Rather than just letting the boys go to bed, Mom makes them read. Joshs earlier sense that everything was going well in his life and something bad was certain to happen soon has now revealed itself to have been very prescient. Said he didn't want to miss Bible school. This is the new name Josh has for Alexis. Tomorrow Is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. 0000003834 00000 n Kyle DelBianco: Why did you choose to write the book in poetry form? With his eyes on a future at Duke, Josh seems to have it all. 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. Rebounding / is the art / of anticipating, / of always being prepared / to grab it. 0000002682 00000 n Tunnell, M. Jacobs, Young, T., Bryan, G. (2016). 0000014880 00000 n Da's pulse is gone. 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. She and Dad did not teach him to be churlish, and she does not know why hes been like this. 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? They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Dad's bloody nose is another red flag that his health isn't as good as it should be. 0000013846 00000 n Keen editors and support staff will supervise the task for you to guarantee Quality and ORIGINAL paper that scores high. His mother made him cut off the rest. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. ", "THIRD QUARTER" to "At Noon, in the Gym, with Dad". "FOURTH QUARTER" to "Free Throws" Summary and Analysis, "Bad News" to "Before" Summary and Analysis. 2016, pg 98). Essay Topics. 0000003945 00000 n "I love that word! Josh that he's mean and doesn't deserve the distinction, especially after what he did to. During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. After two hours, Mom kicks the relatives out and after they leave, Dad calls. Joshs Dad gives him the nickname Filthy McNasty after the name of a famous jazz song (and also because he was generally dirty). 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. 2020 Pro Custom Essays. Hi Abby, Once again you have given detailed examination of the authors use of language. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. JB sweats profusely when Miss Sweet Tea walks into the room. Josh has trouble separating the two. Josh was estranged from himself when he threw the ball at JB. It began with this 12-year-old-boy, who came to be known as Filthy McNasty. For example, Joshs mother tells him, Boys with no self-control become men behind bars. This is a reality for African American boys in todays society. You're twins, not the same person.But that doesn't mean he has to stop loving me. She also asks where, where it's stuck, wedged between the rim and the backboard. Josh is concerned, asking about Moms advice to take it easy. Josh is thrilled to get to play, as he knows that when he and. 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. gives a fry each to Josh and Vondie and then tells Josh that he and, Sweet Tea's divorced parents are estranged. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Twelve year old Josh Bell is a basketball phenom just like his identical twin brother JB. 0000020561 00000 n He adds that Mom said Josh could play if they make it to the championship game. Dads blood pressure was so high during the game that his nose started bleeding profusely. So it was chronological. A reporter from the paper asks, I'm on Free Throw Number Twenty-Seven. You know, that would be a high school novel, or a young adult novel, or an adult novel for that matter. He and his own brother are estranged, and he does not want JB and Josh to be like that. 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. "Mom doesn't like us eating out" to "How Do You Spell Trouble? the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. (including. Literary Awards: Newbery Award (2015), Correta Scott King Award (2015), Focus: Poetry; Contemporary Realistic Fiction. Dad bites into his third donut and, when, out of you what they expect out of their own lives. 0000009882 00000 n Disclaimer: We are a custom writing service that provides customized for assistance purposes only. As he meditates, Josh sees a picture of, Second-Person. 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. comes for dinner, she asks for seconds of Mom's veggie lasagna. He turns out the light to go to sleep and hears his brother say Thanks.. In the book "The Crossover" there is a poem called "Dear Jordan" where Josh is explaining how sorry he is. He asks Dad if they can stop at the sneaker store. He also co-founded LEAP for Ghana, an International Literacy Program. Josh is studying by himself. Reproduced by permission of HarperCollins Publishers. 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. I'm not paying attentionto anything he's sayingor to the dummy. Ever sinceKim Bazemore kissed him in Sunday school,he's been acting all religious. 10. 0000006505 00000 n As with the last time this happened, sharing this look allows the boys to feel unified and as though they're a team in whatever's to come. Kwame is the Founding Editor of Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt that aims to Change the World One Word at a Time. The team thanks JB profusely for getting them to the championship. Joe Anderson: Will there be a sequel with Josh and Jordan playing high school basketball? It refers to a basketball move (described in the . Instant PDF downloads. Because of this, his request to stop at the sneaker store becomes something he does purely to show JB he sees him and cares about him and the things he's interested in. Sherry Taylor. Dad replies sadly that he let them down, and Josh asks what he should do. As Josh continues to cast himself as the helper in the family, he begins to see that doing so will actually allow him to be more successful. Generally, this type of poem focuses on personal moments or feelings or image laden scenes (Tunnell et al. question about the great Gatsby chapter 2: can you help me heal, run with me, slash with me like we used to? Profusely means to pour forth in great quantity. 1090 0 obj <>stream Alexiss parents are estranged. Dad falls, his eyes roll, and Josh screams. 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. She is at the house for dinner and Josh is surprised to hear JB asking for seconds of the healthy food. Mom says its not about his grades: its about how he behaves going forward. His favorite player is Michael Jordan, but he doesn't want people to think he's sweating him. He's nearly six feet tall and has a twin, JB. And after that type of success, Rutland Town seventh grader Joe Anderson wanted to know it theres more to come. For example, Alexis is mostly described by her looks and her loyalty to JB. The sound of Jeopardy is in the background as Josh asks if Mom will let him in the playoffs, especially as his grades were good. Dad tries to break the tension by talking about Christmas and the turkey. 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. Joshs life and his humanity, as opposed to just reading about it. Seeing the proverbial ghost again suggests that things are about to change. Like Dad, Mom is able to take the long view and believe that this is a temporary phase in her sons' lives. Josh explains that every night after dinner, Dad insists that he and. As Josh plays in the final game of the season, his Dad dies from a massive heart attack. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. This begins to show Josh that if he starts to make amends with her, he might also get JB back. Mom's reminder that behavior like this could land Josh in jail one day again points to the state of race relations in the US--as a black man, Josh is more likely than a white peer to end up in jail for a crime. JB only went toone. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Dad encourages Josh and, the second rebound.