The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. At dinner Josh sits next to. "FOURTH QUARTER" to "Free Throws" Summary and Analysis, "Bad News" to "Before" Summary and Analysis. 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. Or what is his goal? She lets the news drop: he is suspended from the team. What seemed to be a great disappointment for Myrtle concerning her marriage to George? Mom texts a few times that she and Dad needed to leave because Dad did not feel wellhes fine, just tired. When JB asks for seconds of salad, it shows that he recognizes that eating well is a good way to impress girls. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. And so the next poem starts with a definition: Seventh grader Matthew Goulette wonders where Alexanders ideas for The Crossover came from. Climax: Dad dies during the championship game Antagonist: Hypertension and death; change Point of View: First-person Extra Credit for The Crossover Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Given that Dad's dad died in the hospital of hypertension, it's understandable that Dad is unwilling to seek help out of fear. And Im so thankful. His suggestion to write JB a letter again speaks to the power of words and communication. 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. 0000013846 00000 n 23-12. ;0&0a= 9!AlF_,@Q X26XAn9 yXdPM? Josh's concern that Dad won't be around to parent him shows again that he's still very much a kid and isn't ready to grow up yet. 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. Dad's decision to make the boys play together speaks to Dad's belief that the boys' shared love of basketball might be enough to help them turn their relationship around. The sound of Jeopardy is in the background as Josh asks if Mom will let him in the playoffs, especially as his grades were good. what this means for his family--Dad won't be around to play basketball with him and. At 7:45, she asks about the score and how. 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. 1079 0 obj <> endobj The Question and Answer section for The Crossover is a great A cleave poem about twin brothers and basketball. 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. Im still reacting to it. Dad is joking and telling stories about Italy. Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14). Mom's phone rings and she shrieks. I am writing a prequel to The Crossover. gives a fry each to Josh and Vondie and then tells Josh that he and, Sweet Tea's divorced parents are estranged. His family unit is strong, though it is not always perfect. 16 0 obj <> endobj xref 16 46 0000000016 00000 n The Reggie Lewis Wildcats have reached the playoffs thanks to the work of Jordan Bell. He cares for it meticulously every day, and this is why he declines, The game is tied. Josh is concerned, asking about Moms advice to take it easy. Josh does not know how he went from annoyed to grumpy to churlish. The crossover is Joshs signature move, something his Dad taught him. No practice to get ready. 0000003750 00000 n How does he apologize to his twin brother for being churlish and almost breaking his nose? Come on, tell me. Kwame Alexander: I like to think that basketball is like poetry in motion. 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." ", 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. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Josh's choice to apply this word to three very different areas of his life brings all of what he's currently worried about--JB, basketball, and Dad--together, illustrating again how language allows Josh to effectively construct his identity and his life. Plus he has MJ sheets . He and his own brother are estranged, and he does not want JB and Josh to be like that. The team thanks JB profusely for getting them to the championship. what motivates joe starks to assume "the ruling chair" in eatsonville . The Crossover Summary The narrator of the novel (which is told in verse) is Josh Bell, an 8th-grade boy. Previously, in "Dear Edward" episode 7, we saw Edward get to know Mahira, Jordan's girlfriend. pro-fuse-ly. Assign this text to deeply engage your students! She and Dad did not teach him to be churlish, and she does not know why hes been like this. One day in school, JB passes a note to Josh to give to a girl he really likes, who Josh nicknames Miss Sweet Tea. Josh states that somewhere betweencamaraderieandimbecile I tap her beige bare shoulder with the note (pg. She also asks where, where it's stuck, wedged between the rim and the backboard. 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. becauseI'm watching Jordan pass notesto Miss Sweet Tea. Shes a candy striper and cheerleader, and she talks about her favorite color being purple. 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. Dad's heart attack here makes it clear that Mom is right: Dad shouldn't play anymore if he wants to preserve his health. More books than SparkNotes. What does her reacti Suddenly, Josh sees, team in Italy. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." %%EOF . 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. Dad is heading for the hoop when he stops short, screams, clutches his chest, and drops the ball. 4. Theyre not alone. He admits he is empty: he is the goal with no net. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Dad's message does much the same thing, though it seems much more in character for Dad. 0000003834 00000 n The significance of this comes across when Josh says, There are no coaches at funerals. Exploration of this text can be a gateway into students writing. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. Josh whispers to Dad that JB wont talk to him, and Dad replies that he just has to let the smoke clear. The Childrens Bookshow is celebrating its 20th birthday this year with a brand-new free exhibition. Mom sits Josh down. The Crossover is flying off library shelves like a half-court sinker. Instant PDF downloads. Mom's amendment in particular betrays that this is likely more serious than she's letting on. In "Dear Jordan," the poem describes Josh's apology to his brother and his emptiness without him. 0000012380 00000 n From the doorway, a stricken Mom says he should go sit down for dinner. Mom gently chides him for eavesdropping but laughs when he says he learned that strategy from her. 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.". In this poem, Josh makes efforts to repair the cracked friendship between him and his brother. This belief helps me to experience family dynamics and conflicts both similar and different to my own. As his relationship unravels with his brother, he finds himself at odds more and more with his parents. He even uses the word churlish to describe himself. 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. I think basketball and is father are reflections of each other. 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. As he meditates, Josh sees a picture of, Second-Person. Joshs life and his humanity, as opposed to just reading about it. This also offers hope that, if Josh can catch the ball next time, he might be able to make things better. He did not mean to get upset, he offers. (LogOut/ It doesnt help that his Dad keeps having health issues, but wont go to the doctor because he thinks this is a stupid waste of time. 0000039010 00000 n Like Dad, Mom is able to take the long view and believe that this is a temporary phase in her sons' lives. His life is broken like puzzle pieces and he can no longer fit. Students LOVE reading and analyzing Kobe Bryant's "Dear Basketball" Poem. Alexander reveals in a subtle and moving way how eventually the brothers start to move incrementally closer together again, such as with Josh writing JB a letter or giving him his vocabulary study materials, but it is realistic in that it is painful and happens in fits and starts. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. How did the structure of the poem "Dear Jordan" on page 130 help us learn more about Josh and JB's relationship? 0000012066 00000 n They will be able to relate to the topic, theme, setting and emotion conveyed in the story. 0000013468 00000 n Josh struggles to answer and says he's sorry and didn't mean to hurt, Mom insists that's not acceptable and reminds Josh that he'll need to apologize to, doesn't understand how his behavior became so churlish. He unleashes a killer crossover and everyone is hollering as Dad dribbles to the hoop. 10. She was a VPR contributor from 2006 to 2020. He suggests writing him a letter, and Josh thinks that could work. I also see many students who are similar to Josh lean on their relationships with their sport coaches for stability. Charles's financial troubles were causing Dee Dee a lot of crises. 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. Devon, good question. 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. 0000009461 00000 n As a consequence for his actions, his mom suspends him from the team. together. They are depicted as complex, challenging and ever changing. This is the new name Josh has for Alexis. June 22, 2022; Posted by . Da's pulse is gone. Keen editors and support staff will supervise the task for you to guarantee Quality and ORIGINAL . PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. This offers some hope that his eventual return will be accepted by all. The Crossoverhas so much meaning for young adults. 0000011426 00000 n This site is using cookies under cookie policy . 0000001216 00000 n 0000014949 00000 n This implies that Josh dropped the proverbial ball when he passed to JB. We begin with the poems of John Agard. Joshs spinach and tofu lunch is cruel, but not as cruel as the look Miss Sweet Tea gives him. Mom smiles and says hell be back on the team in no time, but she warns him not to press his luck. Rebounding / is the art / of anticipating, / of always being prepared / to grab it. 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. Their dad is a former professional baller. In Dear Jordan, we see the authors use of similes and metaphors in the letter Josh writes to JD in order to convey how sorry he is. The Crossover study guide contains a biography of Kwame Alexander, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. What does he think, I'm stupid? Showing this tiny bit of positive regard suggests that JB is now willing to listen to Josh and rebuild their relationship. uses it in a sentence and says that in Mom and Dad's closet, he and, all the teasing dies down, the game begins. a7[6se7U>rcf[,+*@j3(9 Hi Abby, Once again you have given detailed examination of the authors use of language. Josh that he's mean and doesn't deserve the distinction, especially after what he did to. Her looks not her personality is what first catches JBs attention. And Iwonder what's in the notes. We only learn more about her personality towards the end of the book when she comes to dinner with JBs family. 0000031472 00000 n I believe this book is a strong representation of cultural authenticity. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com, to seamlessly bring different poetry elements, forms of poetry and genres of writing together to help the reader. I think Josh was the first character I wrote. In the book "The Crossover" there is a poem called "Dear Jordan" where Josh is explaining how sorry he is. 2020 Pro Custom Essays. 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) . Its not memoir. As an example, he says that if, them from the restaurant. And when I was born he was a PhD. a principal. And thats not the only story Alexander has been working on. These poems are also concrete poems, taking on the shape of the words to further represent how Josh feels when he plays basketball. Josh says that earlier, he walked into the gym covered in mud. Kwame believes that poetry can change the world and he uses it to inspire and empower young people around the world. 0000001569 00000 n For example, Alexis is mostly described by her looks and her loyalty to JB. When Mom and Josh are washing dishes, he asks when Dads appointment is. Dad picks up the boys; he's cracking jokes, and theyre laughing. First, his churlish and aggressive behavior toward his twin has almost severed their relationship. We see this in Joshs description of their playing style. ", How did I react? Mom and Dad argue. Josh grows resentful of JBs new relationship with his girlfriend as he feels left out and lonely. Josh chooses to give her the note for his brother and takes the rap for cheating. (LogOut/ The only caution I have for this book is making sure it is not overly analyzed. It refers to a basketball move (described in the . 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. Dad jokes about the name. Kwame Alexander is able toto seamlessly bring different poetry elements, forms of poetry and genres of writing together to help the reader experience Joshs life and his humanity, as opposed to just reading about it. Its called Booked. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. endstream endobj 1085 0 obj <>stream Not affiliated with Harvard College. Full Title: The Crossover When Written: 2009-2014 Where Written: Unknown When Published: 2014 Literary Period: Contemporary Genre: Young Adult Novel; Verse Novel Setting: An unnamed town in the U.S. JB only went to one. How are family relationships depicted? When JB and Josh are in a fight, she takes JBs side without question because this is the expectation for her as a girlfriend. Get this assignment written for you by Expert Writers in this subject. In other words, the loneliness is one thing, but feeling left behind in this regard is even more painful. Write an essay for ONE of the following topics: Essay Topic 1. In this activity, they will complete a Poem Analysis & Compare/Contrast Paired Text Activity. Keen editors and support staff will supervise the task for you to guarantee Quality and ORIGINAL paper that scores high. Dad races down the stairs to yell at the ref that what happened to, call the doctor or else. Teachers and parents! Struggling with distance learning? thinking less and less aboutbasketball, and more and more aboutGIRLS. This book presents a realistic view of family life; the constant cycle of joys and hurdles. Dad falls, his eyes roll, and Josh screams. And then, of course, I thought, 'What middle grade kid, or teacher for that matter, is gonna know what that word means?'". 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. 0000028950 00000 n kresge foundation jobs; dwarf rat vs mouse; sky internet down bolsover; terroni restaurant menu; lewis county, wa breaking news; Mom and Dad's choice to turn the conversation to JB and his relationship with Miss Sweet Tea shows again that they understand his new relationship is a normal part of his coming of age. Kwame regularly speaks at conferences and universities all over the world. Josh gets a lot of accolades for being the Junior High MVP but Miss Sweet Tea tells him frankly that he is mean and did not deserve that award because of what he did to JB. Thus, readers come to know how the power of words and vibrant language evoke deep emotional responses as we read about Joshs life. Published by on October 25, 2020. 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. 10. 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]). At the stoplight, JB and Josh look out the window at the same time, and Josh knows what his brother is thinking. 10. n :BSlGrm v4Hc\ vNWzH`V8tWmQo1tpx5$k;#N#iZ4u&p4$l-&cH hmPw&][H6+^a4e 4)%iixYhRqvQ(9hSha?(_? The students at Rutland Town School had some questions for the author. Just because he wants to repair his relationship with JB, does not mean he still doesnt have trouble with Alexis. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. All of this is better than no girlfriend at all, which is what Josh has. homes for sale in fishersville, va; 22 . are gone. So I knew that the book would be told from the vantage point of a boy. The dialect, slang and colorful personalities of Josh and his family members makes me feel like I am reading about a real family. Pulchritudinous! Some of the language and experiences are counter to my own, which gives me a realistic glimpse into the life of an African American family. Mom acts like an umbrella and shuts Dad down. Tomorrow Is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation. Just because he is elated to be the Daily News Junior MVP, doesnt mean it doesnt sting when Alexis and JB dont seem pleased at all. We see how angst ridden sibling rivalries can be and how challenging those relationships can be for both parents and children. At Rutland Town School, the students put themselves in Joshs shoes and tried writing their own letters to Jordan, whose nickname is JB. As, Free Throws Tonight. 0000003226 00000 n This sets an example that his health isn't important, which puts Josh and JB at risk. Refine any search. Seeing the proverbial ghost again suggests that things are about to change. Dad bites into his third donut and, when, out of you what they expect out of their own lives. He tells a joke and, finally, they all laugh. 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. include his brilliant coming of age novel Rebound (published by Andersen Press). At dinner, Mom is still upset about Josh's hair and makes. 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. Though Josh still thinks highly of Dad, now that he's aware of Dad's unwillingness to care for his health, it suggests that becoming "Da Man" might not be the entirely positive endeavor that Josh once thought it was. Come spring, these Rutland Town readers may be inspired to head out to the soccer pitch as well. 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. In the locker room. 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).
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