Josh, mine it. Kwame was also the 2018 NEA Read Across America ambassador. These relationships (especially for boys) seem to fill a need at this stage in life. He's survived by his wife (Mom) and his twin sons, Josh and, to look in the coffin. 0000003750 00000 n He unleashes a killer crossover and everyone is hollering as Dad dribbles to the hoop. So, certainly there are some things from my life that have probably creeped into this book. 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. 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. She said she likes me a lot, I tell him.You mean she likes me a lot? 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. Coach isn't worried; he starts blasting his favorite dance music. 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. For some adolescents, this is a situation that crops up often. 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? Come on, tell me. uses it in a sentence and says that in Mom and Dad's closet, he and, all the teasing dies down, the game begins. A reporter from the paper asks, I'm on Free Throw Number Twenty-Seven. Kwame Alexander: Wow, never been asked the question before. What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence? Even though he is. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. 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. Her looks not her personality is what first catches JBs attention. Josh whispers to Dad that JB wont talk to him, and Dad replies that he just has to let the smoke clear. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Complete your free account to request a guide. 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. When JB echoes, Yeah, Dad, can we? (189), the word we has never sounded so sweet to Josh. endstream endobj startxref This indicates that coming of age can happen suddenly and horrifically at times. She is at the house for dinner and Josh is surprised to hear JB asking for seconds of the healthy food. Josh also has a strong relationship with his basketball coach and receives much guidance and support from him as well. 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! Kwame believes that poetry can change the world and he uses it to inspire and empower young people around the world. 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. I would say there are some gender stereotypes present in the book. 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. 0000010458 00000 n Alexis calls and Josh answers; she says hello and asks for JB. There are sirens. And so that was the first character that I created. thinking less and less aboutbasketball, and more and more aboutGIRLS. Discover award-winning poet Grace Nichols. This implies that Josh dropped the proverbial ball when he passed to JB. Family relationships are the epicenter of this novel. 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.". 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. Again, Dad's willingness to call Josh by his name shows that Dad respects that both of his sons are growing, changing, and taking control of their identities in perfectly normal ways. 0000028950 00000 n Da's pulse is gone. Its a novel-in-verse about identical twins Josh and Jordan who are basketball stars at their middle school. In the next several poems, the . This week, Josh makes the honor roll, watches the team win Game Nine, eats lunch alone, walks home alone, tries to atone day and night, sits next to JB at dinner (JB moves), does JBs chores (JB says nothing), and says hes sorry (JB doesnt listen). Mom acts like an umbrella and shuts Dad down. His Dad has a heart attack and slips into a coma. (LogOut/ 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. Can JB run with him, help him heal, slash with him like they used to? What does Josh want more in the book? Jordan insists that everyone call him JB. Hi Abby, Once again you have given detailed examination of the authors use of language. Mom and Dad's closet is off limits. After two hours, Mom kicks the relatives out and after they leave, Dad calls. JB Character Analysis in The Crossover | LitCharts The Crossover - Teacher Talk Please explain "Jordan (I)," a poem by George Herbert. His preferred nickname is, the game. 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. She and Dad did not teach him to be churlish, and she does not know why hes been like this. Unfortunately, that wouldnt be a middle grade novel. They are depicted as complex, challenging and ever changing. The Crossover is a wonderful mentor text for adolescent writers. Josh narrates another play-by-play. 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. The Crossover is flying off library shelves like a half-court sinker. 0000012066 00000 n Joshs mom is the assistant principal at his school, a fact he doesnt love. That it was going to be a 12-year-old boy. 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 You earned it, Filthy, he says,sliding the ring on my finger.My heart leapsinto my throat. The characters listen to the same music as they do, covet the same shoes, use the same slang. Keen editors and support staff will supervise the task for you to guarantee Quality and ORIGINAL paper that scores high. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. I also see many students who are similar to Josh lean on their relationships with their sport coaches for stability. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Josh and JB made a bet.. Josh lost, and JB got to cut off five of his dreadlocks. 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. Said he didn't want to miss Bible school. Dad tries to break the tension by talking about Christmas and the turkey. Mom and Dad are silent and serious in the front. Josh was estranged from himself when he threw the ball at JB. Dads kneeling weakly on the floor with a pool of vomit below him. He asks Dad if they can stop at the sneaker store. 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. 1079 0 obj <> endobj I think basketball and is father are reflections of each other. The Crossover Quotes and Analysis .I knew one day I'd need my own wings to fly. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. Dad races down the stairs to yell at the ref that what happened to, call the doctor or else. 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 some ways, Joshs parents defy these stereotypes as Dad stays home with the boys and his mom is an educated, smart assistant principal. We raised nearly 7000 in our online auction! dear jordan poem the crossover - dominicanbabecation.com When Mom and Josh are washing dishes, he asks when Dads appointment is. 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. He was only 39 and might have had a chance if he had seen a doctor sooner. More books than SparkNotes. In the locker room. This also offers hope that, if Josh can catch the ball next time, he might be able to make things better. 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. Miss Sweet Tea shooting baskets at the other court. 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. 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 Josh hears Dad ask if he feels better and opens his eyes. The Children's Bookshow | Week Five: Kwame Alexander It would have been great to see more of Alexiss perspective in the story to clarify. If you have read this book, can you tell me what poetic type the poem "Dear Jordan" is. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Just because he wants to repair his relationship with JB, does not mean he still doesnt have trouble with Alexis. 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. How Do You Spell Trouble? Now that Josh's actions have hurt someone, his sense of loneliness gets even worse. The fact that Miss Sweet Tea's sister attends Duke, the college that Josh wants to one day attend, suggests that Josh might actually like Miss Sweet Tea if he were willing to get to know her. PS. We advise our products to be used with proper referencing. 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. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Dad's championship ring.Between the bouncingand sobbing, I whisper, Why? 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. At lunch, Coach comes over to where Vondie and Josh are and gives Josh a lecture about making up with his brother. Josh is making moves and dribbling; Dad gets the ball, winks, dips, and sweats. The ball goes back and forth and Josh feels like he and, the gym over Thanksgiving break and why he cut his "cute" locks. 0000003945 00000 n Now that Josh understands that Dad is ill, this strange panting raises alarms--which shows that Josh is growing up and becoming more aware of his surroundings. 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) . As Josh and JB take over caring for their father, the tables turn and suddenly, they're thrown into adult roles. 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.