The Crossover
by Kwame Alexander
Interest age: 10 to 14
Reading age: 9+
Published by Andersen Press, 2018
About this book
Josh and JB are basketball legends at their school. They also happen to be identical twins, but it’s easy to tell them apart if you know how to look.
As the boys build up to one of the most important matches of their lives, tensions grow between them and things at home and at school also add to the pressure. The only time they feel truly themselves is on the court. But is basketball enough to help them navigate the tricky transition to young adulthood when they have a major falling-out and it seems that Dad is hiding something?
With impressive attention to detail, the powerful, dynamic illustrations fizz with energy and do so much more than just follow the series of events. Using shades of orange, grey and black, the graphics bring out the soul of the characters allowing readers to feel their joy, pain, frustration and anger.
Although it reads like a novel, the twins’ story is told through poetry in many different forms from rap to haiku and free verse. If any book is likely to turn sports fans into book fans or convince readers that poetry is cool, this is it.
About the author
What to read next
We know that children can get hooked on a favourite book series or author and struggle to find something they love as much, but we’re here to help.
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Kwame Alexander is a prolific American author whose verse novels are well known for getting kids who say they hate reading into books. But which other books should your child turn to next?
More books like this
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Ghost
by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Selom Sunu
11 to 14 years
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Rebound
by Kwame Alexander
9 to 14 years
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The Door of No Return
by Kwame Alexander
11 to 14 years
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Unspoken
by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dare Coulter
9 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Books featuring twins
Twins are double the trouble but double the fun! Here is a selection of thrilling stories where twins are the main characters.
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Books to help your child get ready for the big move to secondary school
The transition to secondary school can be both exciting and difficult. These books aimed at 11-13 year olds contain themes around friendships and overcoming a variety of challenges, as well as starting at a new school. Many of them are also empowering and affirming, recognising a range of experiences. Lastly, and most importantly, they’re all fantastic reads, sure to encourage children to love books.
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12 great books for 11 year olds
12 great contemporary books for 11 year olds.
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8 brilliant children's books about siblings
Bringing Back Kay-Kay author Dev Kothari recommends sibling stories that will grip young readers.