Their mom is assistant principal at their school. The only caution I have for this book is making sure it is not overly analyzed. In other words, just as the boys have choices in regards to their basketball success, they also have the choice to make up or continue their feud. The students at Rutland Town School had some questions for the author. Josh that he's mean and doesn't deserve the distinction, especially after what he did to. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. At the End of Warm-Ups, My Brother Tries to Dunk. If you have read this book, can you tell me what poetic type the poem "Dear Jordan" is. 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. 0000039010 00000 n 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. 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. Mom tries to reassure him that JB will always love him. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. 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. There is a big vocabulary test tomorrow and Josh is worried for his brother. Jordan insists that everyone call him JB. Dad is gone "like the end of a good song. And Im so thankful. are gone. Said he didn't want to miss Bible school. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Refine any search. Josh wants in, but Mom warns him not to interfere. Its not memoir. Josh grows resentful of JBs new relationship with his girlfriend as he feels left out and lonely. Mom insists that Dad call Dr. Youngblood. As a consequence for his actions, his mom suspends him from the team. He and his own brother are estranged, and he does not want JB and Josh to be like that. 0000038553 00000 n June 22, 2022; Posted by . Ruth Bishop said that poetry "has a kind of magic and can help the reader see ordinary things in new ways." 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. What happened to allow JB to cut Joshs dreadlocks? We see how extended family fits into the puzzle and what feelings the main characters has at this time. / together" (159). He writes for children of all ages. 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. Charles's financial troubles were causing Dee Dee a lot of crises. They are like "two stars / stealing sun" and "like two brothers / burning up. 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. Joshs life and his humanity, as opposed to just reading about it. 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. Copyright 2014 by Kwame Alexander. The Crossover has been winning top prizes and awards in childrens literature. Showing this tiny bit of positive regard suggests that JB is now willing to listen to Josh and rebuild their relationship. -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. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. 0000012066 00000 n 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. While it's unclear if Coach is also a twin, his advice still shows that he understands the power of the sibling relationship to either move mountains or destroy everything. At the end of the chapter, why does the writing style change so drastically from what it was before, to sud Dear Jordan Josh writes his letter. 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 says that earlier, he walked into the gym covered in mud. His parents continue to press upon him the value of working hard and the importance of education. Its made-up. Theyre having a fantastic time, and everyone there is watching. (21) $1.99. homes for sale in fishersville, va; 22 . what motivates joe starks to assume "the ruling chair" in eatsonville . Josh and JB generally get along; but they have very different personalities. I think Josh was the first character I wrote. the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Josh is studying by himself. 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. patrick sandoval parents; sauerkraut and dumplings origin; what happened to nike flyknit racer. Mom tells Jordan she wants to meet his new friend; Dad chimes in that they want to meet the girl who took JB away. The story is told from Joshs point of view. Keen editors and support staff will supervise the task for you to guarantee Quality and ORIGINAL . 0000008677 00000 n 0000003834 00000 n Josh walks home alone after practice, which feels strange since he usually walks with, finds The Giver. When Mom and Josh are washing dishes, he asks when Dads appointment is. They were missing Josh Filthy McNasty Bell, though, who is this papers Most Valuable Player. 0000014880 00000 n game against Olive Branch Junior High, and that the team seemed unhurt by Josh's absence. i6rUU-jIT "/}N3t,neS>3%#O;(a46"poKR}l'ySlaAOEtV6`=vL nq. After the game, in the locker room, unexpected bad event that often results in injuries. Miss Sweet Tea calls 911 while, The doctor pats Jordan and me on the back and says. At Rutland Town School, the students put themselves in Joshs shoes and tried writing their own letters to Jordan, whose nickname is JB. The ball goes back and forth and Josh feels like he and, the gym over Thanksgiving break and why he cut his "cute" locks. Dad is yelling from the stands and Mom is trying to calm him down. Dad's bloody nose is another red flag that his health isn't as good as it should be. are down by seven. 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. 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. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. 4. When JB echoes, Yeah, Dad, can we? (189), the word we has never sounded so sweet to Josh. Want to help more children attend our events in the future? She was a VPR contributor from 2006 to 2020. In this activity, they will complete a Poem Analysis & Compare/Contrast Paired Text Activity. I would use this book with adolescent students as a way to inspire them to explore self-expression through writing. He wants the boys to be their own people, and he wants them to know that becoming someone different is okay and expected. Joshs mom is the assistant principal at his school, a fact he doesnt love. Explore the poetry of Michael Rosen in our Joy of Poetry series. 0000009882 00000 n Given that Dad's dad died in the hospital of hypertension, it's understandable that Dad is unwilling to seek help out of fear. These relationships (especially for boys) seem to fill a need at this stage in life. It's, The boys each ask how the other is and then, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. I mean, because basketball is poetry in motion, and so I thought lets use verse. Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs For some adolescents, this is a situation that crops up often. He and JB lock eyes; theres that seeing-a-ghost sensation again. 1. The Crossover Quotes and Analysis .I knew one day I'd need my own wings to fly. he asks. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Mom and Dad's closet is off limits. Josh does CPR, but nothing changes. He's nearly six feet tall and has a twin, JB. The score is tied and clock ticks as. %%EOF endstream endobj startxref What seemed to be a great disappointment for Myrtle concerning her marriage to George? I think basketball and is father are reflections of each other. Change). Josh watches, Vondie brings the ball up the court, but the defense presses close. 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. And when I was born he was a PhD. JB is on fire and blazes from baseline to baseline. Then, everything in his world comes crashing down. Do depictions of all cultures avoid oversimplification or offer genuine insights? Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. The words and rhythmic flow of these words on the page depict Joshs inner thoughts; his flow on the court. This again shows how Dad prioritizes basketball over his health. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. For example, Alexis is mostly described by her looks and her loyalty to JB. This further allows students to practice at life as they experience Joshs reactions to conflict relevant to their own lives in the story. Its completely fiction. 0000001569 00000 n 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. 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. Alexis calls and Josh answers; she says hello and asks for JB. 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 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." Mom then sighs that they are done, and Josh asks what the consequences are. He asks if Josh and, On Christmas Eve. ;0&0a= 9!AlF_,@Q X26XAn9 yXdPM? The Crossover study guide contains a biography of Kwame Alexander, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. 0000008243 00000 n He asks Dad if they can stop at the sneaker store. JB echoes.And the word wenever soundedsweeter. When JB asks for seconds of salad, it shows that he recognizes that eating well is a good way to impress girls. For many students, reading this book with no ulterior motive could be the catalyst into a lifelong interest in poetry and inspire them to read more works like it. Vondie has a girlfriend now, too. (LogOut/ He also co-founded LEAP for Ghana, an International Literacy Program. 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? What is the meaning of "his only fully developed exposition in 1941 of the strategic threat"? How is this condition highlighted in the narrative? can you help me heal, run with me, slash with me like we used to? 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? 0000007875 00000 n Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. 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. Josh narrates another play-by-play. 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. Devon, good question. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. 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. He admits he is empty: he is the goal with no net. His life is broken like puzzle pieces and he can no longer fit. Amy is an award winning journalist who has worked in print and radio in Vermont since 1991. 0000007152 00000 n 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'. Kwame Alexander "Dear Jordan" from THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander. . 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. He also likely recognizes that by hearing what the doctor has to say, he'll be able to better help Mom in encouraging Dad to make healthy choices.