The Crossover – Summer Reading Guide

Novel Background:

About the Author, Kwame Alexander

❖ Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and New York Times best-selling author of 28 books ❖ He writes for children of all ages. His other works include, Booked, The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot and Score in This Game Called Life, and Rebound for middle grade students and Swing and Fast paced Solo written as young adult novels. Emotional ❖ He believes that poetry can change the world, and he Funny uses it to empower young people. Cool Format Fun to Read Entertaining

Main Characters: How the book is organized: Twin brothers: ❖ Jordan Bell Basketball Rule #1 In this game of life your ▪ Nickname “JB” Chapters family is the court ❖ Josh Bell and the ball is your Warm-up ▪ Nickname “Filthy McNasty” heart. First Quarter Why do you think the Dad No matter how good Second Quarter author presents the story in ❖ Chuck Bell you are, Third Quarter quarters and not chapters? ▪ Nickname “Da Man” no matter how down Fourth Quarter you get, ▪ Former professional basketball Overtime player always leave your heart on the court. Mom

❖ Dr. Crystal Stanley-Bell ▪ Nickname “Mom” ▪ The assistant principal at the boys’ junior high school

In September of 6th grade, you will be asked to create your own Narrative Poem.

Before reading The Crossover, how would you describe yourself? (1-2 sentences)

______

Vocabulary terms that I might need help with: Word Definition/Meaning Word Definition/Meaning

Crossover A player dribbling the ball Ironic Something happens in the opposite way switches the ball rapidly from one it is expected to happen hand to the other Dubious Hesitant, unsure, uncertain Tipping Point The critical moment in a situation where unstoppable changes take place Posterizing Embarrassing someone while Churlish Rude dunking the ball over them Calamity An event that causes great or Profusely In large amounts sudden damage Pivot To rotate or turn Eavesdropping Secretly listening to a conversation, spying Mocking Making fun of someone or Estranged No longer close something in a negative way Hypertension High blood pressure that can lead Myocardial Heart attack to serious health problems infarction Camaraderie Friendship Locks Type of hairstyle (dreadlocks)

Optional (Not Required) Creative Choice Extension: After reading The Crossover (or a book of your choice), you may choose a creative extension to show your understanding of a character or what you have learned about yourself. Your teacher will set aside class time to showcase your creative choice extension project at the conclusion of the unit.

1. Record yourself having a 3-5 minute conversation with a friend or family member about the lessons of the book or a book review. 2. Create a comic strip (several images) that show the development of a character in the story. 3. Write a poem focusing on one of the conflicts (struggles) in the story. 4. Draw or paint one setting from the story. 5. Create several journal entries from the perspective of one character from the story. 6. Read the next book- Rebound by Kwame Alexander and write a book review to share.