Males are mostly depicted in the role of sports hero; strong, popular and at the center of society. This again shows how Dad prioritizes basketball over his health. 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. "FOURTH QUARTER" to "Free Throws" Summary and Analysis, "Bad News" to "Before" Summary and Analysis. He's nearly six feet tall and has a twin, JB. In the book "The Crossover" there is a poem called "Dear Jordan" where Josh is explaining how sorry he is. 23-12. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Dad's bloody nose is another red flag that his health isn't as good as it should be. 2016, pg 98). First, his churlish and aggressive behavior toward his twin has almost severed their relationship. Amy is an award winning journalist who has worked in print and radio in Vermont since 1991. 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. 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. Josh is thrilled to get to play, as he knows that when he and. homes for sale in fishersville, va; 22 . What, isn't that what you wanted, Filthy? 0000008677 00000 n 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. 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 All rights reserved. He was only 39 and might have had a chance if he had seen a doctor sooner. Josh has a plan: he's going to talk to. Climax: Dad dies during the championship game Antagonist: Hypertension and death; change Point of View: First-person Extra Credit for The Crossover Josh tells her hes busy, and she says she will see them at the rec center. Josh is concerned, asking about Moms advice to take it easy. include his brilliant coming of age novel Rebound (published by Andersen Press). Sometimes / you have to / lean back / a little / and / fade away / to get / the best / shot (191). This further allows students to practice at life as they experience Joshs reactions to conflict relevant to their own lives in the story. How are family relationships depicted? His suggestion to write JB a letter again speaks to the power of words and communication. 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. Teachers and parents! How did the structure of the poem "Dear Jordan" on page 130 help us learn more about Josh and JB's relationship? Vondie passes to, that they're going to go home. Because the only thing that matters is swish.Because our backboard is splintered. Struggling with distance learning? Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. 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. 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. Want to help more children attend our events in the future? At dinner, Mom is still upset about Josh's hair and makes. 0000013043 00000 n In the list of Things I Learn at Dinner, Alexander gives her even more nuance in terms of divorced parents, a coping mechanism (She shoots hoops at the Rec to relax" [172]), and troubles of her own (Her mom doesnt want her playing basketball" [172]). 0000028950 00000 n Instant PDF downloads. 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. Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. And then, of course, I thought, 'What middle grade kid, or teacher for that matter, is gonna know what that word means?'". Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. They're the big kids at Beeman, In 1944, a disastrous explosion rocked a Naval base in California called Port Chicago. Alexis went to Nike Hoops Camp for Girls; she knows how to do a crossover; her parents are divorced; she shoots hoops at the rec center to relax; she smells like sugarplums; her sister goes to Duke. are down by seven. We raised nearly 7000 in our online auction! 0000002088 00000 n At the end of the chapter, why does the writing style change so drastically from what it was before, to sud Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and theNew York Timesbestselling author. The dialect, slang and colorful personalities of Josh and his family members makes me feel like I am reading about a real family. 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. 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. Published by on October 25, 2020. Dad tries to break the tension by talking about Christmas and the turkey. Thus, they will be able to create characters based on what they know or what they want to see reflected in literature. So, certainly there are some things from my life that have probably creeped into this book. 4.7. Choose only one theme and only one poem. 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. Josh realizes that sometimes its the things that arent said / that kill you (156). Their mom is assistant principal at their school. As the family drives to the game, Josh sits in the back with, who has them. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. what this means for his family--Dad won't be around to play basketball with him and. Josh does not know how he went from annoyed to grumpy to churlish. 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. The inside of Mom and Dad's bedroom closet. A reporter from the paper asks, I'm on Free Throw Number Twenty-Seven. He cares for it meticulously every day, and this is why he declines, The game is tied. 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. He and JB lock eyes; theres that seeing-a-ghost sensation again. 0000003945 00000 n Dad sighs that the boys are getting older and they will manage. 0000011426 00000 n 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) . This belief helps me to experience family dynamics and conflicts both similar and different to my own. It's, The boys each ask how the other is and then, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. gives a fry each to Josh and Vondie and then tells Josh that he and, Sweet Tea's divorced parents are estranged. I believe this book is a strong representation of cultural authenticity. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. When JB asks for seconds of salad, it shows that he recognizes that eating well is a good way to impress girls. Thus, readers come to know how the power of words and vibrant language evoke deep emotional responses as we read about Joshs life. Get up to speed on the news Vermont is talking about, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. So I knew that the book would be told from the vantage point of a boy. 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. 10. I think Josh was the first character I wrote. What seemed to be a great disappointment for Myrtle concerning her marriage to George? Josh feels inspired when he is on the court, and this comes out in the rhymes that flow through him when he plays. Dad picks up the boys; he's cracking jokes, and theyre laughing. 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. Both are skilled basketball players. You're twins, not the same person.But that doesn't mean he has to stop loving me. 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. In the locker room. Josh grows resentful of JBs new relationship with his girlfriend as he feels left out and lonely. Dad passes to Josh, Josh passes to, use it in another sentence, he wonders why pulchritudinous Miss Sweet Tea is talking to, Walking Home. a7[6se7U>rcf[,+*@j3(9 My mom was a school principal My dad played basketball before I was born. v4Hc\ vNWzH`V8tWmQo1tpx5$k;#N#iZ4u&p4$l-&cH hmPw&][H6+^a4e 4)%iixYhRqvQ(9hSha?(_? Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. In this poem, the author uses short, choppy lines to convey a sense of urgency; this narrates the story of Joshs dads heart attack. can you help me heal, run with me, slash with me like we used to? We see how extended family fits into the puzzle and what feelings the main characters has at this time. Its fiction but certainly there are parts of my life that I remembered and drew from. Dear Jordan from THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander. thinking less and less aboutbasketball, and more and more aboutGIRLS. After dinner, Dad takes Josh and. Josh wants a world outside of basketball, and he wants his relationship with JB to remain unchanged. Alexander says he came across the name while working on the story. Reproduced by permission of HarperCollins Publishers. Complete your free account to request a guide. He smiles at Mom, gives, happy. Dad is heading for the hoop when he stops short, screams, clutches his chest, and drops the ball. Mom's phone rings and she shrieks. For example, Alexis is mostly described by her looks and her loyalty to JB. Devon, good question. 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. Ever sinceKim Bazemore kissed him in Sunday school,he's been acting all religious. In this way, she tries to distract Josh by talking about anything else to keep him from worrying about Dad. Coach doesnt allow Josh to start the game since he was late, and later, something in Josh snaps. Dads kneeling weakly on the floor with a pool of vomit below him. / together" (159). Thus, readers come to know how the power of words and vibrant language evoke deep emotional responses as we read about Joshs life. 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. (21) $1.99. Hes getting flyer, climbing the sky, exploding across the lane, crissing and crossing the ball, and taking the break. To make matters worse, encourages the rest of the team to step up since Josh isn't playing. Mom's amendment in particular betrays that this is likely more serious than she's letting on. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Coach isn't worried; he starts blasting his favorite dance music. 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. Assign this text to deeply engage your students! I think it was very insightful inThe Crossoverto include the relationship Josh had with his coach. 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. GradeSaver, 9 September 2019 Web. 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. But Im not there. 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. 16 0 obj <> endobj xref 16 46 0000000016 00000 n For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: ). Sure, writers, we write from observation, imagination, experience. What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence? Suduiko, Aaron ed. 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 I also see many students who are similar to Josh lean on their relationships with their sport coaches for stability. Mom tells Jordan she wants to meet his new friend; Dad chimes in that they want to meet the girl who took JB away. Dear Jordan. Josh is busy taking his vocabulary test when, Josh doesn't pay any attention to his teacher or the dummy and instead he watches, Conversation. He's alone because, game. Im still reacting to it. The Crossover is a wonderful mentor text for adolescent writers. %%EOF Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. 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. 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. Matthew Goulette: Is this story based on your life or someone you know? He admits he is empty: he is the goal with no net. 0000001668 00000 n Mom gently chides him for eavesdropping but laughs when he says he learned that strategy from her. He turns out the light to go to sleep and hears his brother say Thanks.. 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. JB is on fire and blazes from baseline to baseline. That boy is special, and it doesn't hurtthat Chuck "Da Man" Bell is his father.And mine, too. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Oh my goodness! ", not being at the funeral, which makes Josh confirm that she knows it's him, not, kisses him and gives him a piece of sweet potato pie. "Filthy McNasty" is described as being what mythical creature in the poem by the same name? Its wonderful. 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. We see a strong marriage through the eyes of Josh; a relationship so strong he often alludes to the fact that he knows his parents are having sex; and though this appears to gross him out we can read between the lines to see his relief that all is good. His preferred nickname is, the game. The apology poem that author Kwame Alexander wrote from Josh to JB in The Crossover is called "Dear Jordan." It's written in two columns and the author says it can actually be read several different ways: top to bottom, left to right or diagonally. But then, things start to unravel as JB starts to get more interested in girls. Charles's financial troubles were causing Dee Dee a lot of crises. 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. Mahira showed him around the museum, where she and Jordan used to meet. He suggests writing him a letter, and Josh thinks that could work. So it was chronological. I think basketball and is father are reflections of each other. The Crossover Characters Next Josh Josh Josh is the twelve-year-old protagonist of the novel. 0000001569 00000 n 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. Sure. ", "THIRD QUARTER" to "At Noon, in the Gym, with Dad". Plus he has MJ sheets . Josh whispers to Dad that JB wont talk to him, and Dad replies that he just has to let the smoke clear. 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 forever. Alexiss parents are estranged. 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. 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. Unfortunately, that wouldnt be a middle grade novel. 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. All of this is better than no girlfriend at all, which is what Josh has. Hes out cold. Change). 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. What news is related in the poem "Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14)"? hbbd``b`$n zb1LL@k# #@ # _ Theyre having a fantastic time, and everyone there is watching. Dad's championship ring.Between the bouncingand sobbing, I whisper, Why? No warm-up. This shows how much he respects and leans on his coach to show him the way when he is unsure. Josh thought that forever was far away, but he knows now forever is close. (including. The Question and Answer section for The Crossover is a great Pulchritudinous! 1. }t>PPbDd# [:~d>L\GA!jlTbwK0mc.k^s0Ox\,b+vG[/awOz*7;+g'z;Z6Q:HL= mRJ+FWc-} WzH0 f"z77^z@5+BG'2WHQ~Iw}G4x}4GvP{6@hOpZk-'I}%G_k@+Kd tJxqcZw/;j 9/D> =f'(tfu@ g8 (^}Q:Kk3j&Re]=(\jcJska-47-ZCH59K5yD+3$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 It refers to a basketball move (described in the . 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. Seventh grader Dylan DiPietro wonders how that feels. He adds that Mom said Josh could play if they make it to the championship game. His postscript reads that he's sorry. 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. Or what is his goal? Dad's heart attack here makes it clear that Mom is right: Dad shouldn't play anymore if he wants to preserve his health. Twelve year old Josh Bell is a basketball phenom just like his identical twin brother JB. We see how angst ridden sibling rivalries can be and how challenging those relationships can be for both parents and children. Josh and JB made a bet.. Josh lost, and JB got to cut off five of his dreadlocks. 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. We see this form emerge in Joshs thoughts about his game. 0000038553 00000 n Josh isnt a clich; he truly seems to be a living, breathing boy who experiences real feelings of despair, triumph, pride, jealousy, and confusion. he asks. The fact that Dad does his best to correct himself and call Josh what he wants to be called shows that Dad is happy to show Josh the same kind of understanding that he showed JB when he asked him to invite Miss Sweet Tea for dinner. 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. When we asked them how they liked the book, they raved about the book. 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. They are like "two stars / stealing sun" and "like two brothers / burning up. The way the content is organized. JB and his attacker stare at each other. Kwame was also the 2018 NEA Read Across America ambassador. Essay Topics. Josh wants in, but Mom warns him not to interfere. 0000007406 00000 n Its life changing. She and Dad did not teach him to be churlish, and she does not know why hes been like this. Being named the MVP even though he's currently suspended speaks to how good a player Josh is. He unleashes a killer crossover and everyone is hollering as Dad dribbles to the hoop. Mom and Dad argue. Shes a candy striper and cheerleader, and she talks about her favorite color being purple. At dinner Josh sits next to. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. 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? He has a book coming out in April about a soccer player who doesnt like to read. So, if I could figure out what to do with a sequel to make it still compelling and meaningful and significant and keep it in that era. 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? That it was going to be a 12-year-old boy. Joshs spinach and tofu lunch is cruel, but not as cruel as the look Miss Sweet Tea gives him. 0000031472 00000 n Suddenly, Josh sees, team in Italy. So I didnt get the cool dad, I got the academic scholar dad that made me read books. 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. As he meditates, Josh sees a picture of, Second-Person. It began with Josh. Mom tries to reassure him that JB will always love him. I would say there are some gender stereotypes present in the book. He wonders if she actually plays. The ball goes back and forth and Josh feels like he and, the gym over Thanksgiving break and why he cut his "cute" locks. The Crossover study guide contains a biography of Kwame Alexander, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The students at Rutland Town School had some questions for the author. She is at the house for dinner and Josh is surprised to hear JB asking for seconds of the healthy food. (including. 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 . We put their questions a to Kwame Alexander. 0000044218 00000 n a principal. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Dad falls, his eyes roll, and Josh screams. (LogOut/ We begin with the poems of John Agard. When Dad holds his chest, it's a signal that he's not okay and he's likely lying to Josh. Kwame regularly speaks at conferences and universities all over the world. 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 only caution I have for this book is making sure it is not overly analyzed. He even uses the word churlish to describe himself. Its made-up. She and Coach try to control Dad. 0000002682 00000 n 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 He founded a K-12 writing program called The Write Thing. This Book-in-a-Day writing and publishing program has created more than 3000 student authors. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Dad tells Mom that he looks online and that thats better than a doctor, but Mom angrily insists that she will make an appointment for him. Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. Josh is making moves and dribbling; Dad gets the ball, winks, dips, and sweats. endstream endobj startxref Then, everything in his world comes crashing down. 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 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. 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. Seeing the proverbial ghost again suggests that things are about to change. 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) . Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Like Dad, Mom is able to take the long view and believe that this is a temporary phase in her sons' lives. 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. Mom and Dad are serious, while, few weeks. He wants Dad to talk to Mom because he feels like he needs to be in the playoffs and is letting his teammates down. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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. There is a big vocabulary test tomorrow and Josh is worried for his brother. The tension between Josh and Jordan escalates, and they both do regrettable things. Explore the poetry of Michael Rosen in our Joy of Poetry series. Sherry Taylor. Kwame Alexander "Dear Jordan" from THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander. Sons of basketball legend Chuck Da Man Bell, basketball is in their blood. 0000008243 00000 n What does Josh want more in the book? In other words, the loneliness is one thing, but feeling left behind in this regard is even more painful. He and his own brother are estranged, and he does not want JB and Josh to be like that. As an example, he says that if, them from the restaurant. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Mom and Dad's closet is off limits. 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. I don't know -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. His nosebleed and his vomiting are finally enough to get him to let Crystal make him a doctors appointment, but, as the reader will see, it is too little, too late. Showing this tiny bit of positive regard suggests that JB is now willing to listen to Josh and rebuild their relationship.

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