At 7:45, she asks about the score and how. 0000031472 00000 n This story, about twelve year old Josh and his twin Jordan, is a joyful and dynamic celebration of language. JB is running and gunning; he is a shooting star. 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. JB is on fire; Coach, Alexis, and Josh are his choir. 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." She asks him sternly if hes lost his mind, and she says boys who dont have self-control end up behind bars. At the End of Warm-Ups, My Brother Tries to Dunk. 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 0000013846 00000 n 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. When Dad shifts the conversation to make it about losing his cool rather than his poor health, it shows that he's still trying to ignore his hypertension and wants to keep it a secret from his sons. JB and his attacker stare at each other. Shay was envious of Mahira because Edward was giving her way more attention than he had ever given to Shay. He adds that Mom said Josh could play if they make it to the championship game. I would say there are some gender stereotypes present in the book. 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. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. If you could take one poem out of The Crossover to represent one of the themes in the book, which one would it be and why?Choose only one theme and only one poem.Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. He asks if Josh and, On Christmas Eve. The Crossover is a wonderful mentor text for adolescent writers. On page 26, he says, JB likes to taunt and trash talk during games like Dad used to do when he played. Though Josh loves JB and being a twin, he also craves read analysis of Josh Dad Josh and JB's dad. Mom sits Josh down. In this way, she tries to distract Josh by talking about anything else to keep him from worrying about Dad. 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. 0000012066 00000 n Doing this will take away students enjoyment of the story further supporting their belief that poetry is uninteresting. Write an essay for ONE of the following topics: Essay Topic 1. Then, by using Josh's word and sharing a smile with his brother, JB is able to say that he's willing to reopen lines of communication and reconnect with his brother. However, some parts of the book are written as a lyric poem, which is melodic and soundlike. 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. Kwame believes that poetry can change the world and he uses it to inspire and empower young people around the world. As a consequence for his actions, his mom suspends him from the team. Josh thought that forever was far away, but he knows now forever is close. He did not mean to get upset, he offers. Now that Josh's actions have hurt someone, his sense of loneliness gets even worse. We advise our products to be used with proper referencing. 0000002088 00000 n ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How does the structure of the poem convey the speaker's message? Identical twinsare no different from everyone else,except we look andsometimes soundexactly alike. Can JB run with him, help him heal, slash with him like they used to? Mom smiles and says hell be back on the team in no time, but she warns him not to press his luck. -Graham S. The timeline below shows where the character JB appears in, Dad insisted that the music was "fast and free" just like Josh and his brother, he does all the time--even if there's no chance of winning. "Mom doesn't like us eating out" to "How Do You Spell Trouble? are down by seven. i can no longer fit. 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. Kwame Alexander: Wow, never been asked the question before. Its a novel-in-verse about identical twins Josh and Jordan who are basketball stars at their middle school. It's, The boys each ask how the other is and then, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." 0000028950 00000 n Again, Dad's desire to yell at the ref speaks to a desire to feel relevant and useful on the court, even though his playing days are over. The Wildcats are up by two now. His eyes shut. In this poem, Josh makes efforts to repair the cracked friendship between him and his brother. Mom gently chides him for eavesdropping but laughs when he says he learned that strategy from her. One of those actions leads Josh to write an apology letter to his brother. Josh and, in a hospital and now, Dad hates doctors. Josh and JB made a bet.. Josh lost, and JB got to cut off five of his dreadlocks. 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. Use specific, quoted evidence from the poem to explore and illustrate your ideas. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Showing this tiny bit of positive regard suggests that JB is now willing to listen to Josh and rebuild their relationship. JB only went to one. Previously, in "Dear Edward" episode 7, we saw Edward get to know Mahira, Jordan's girlfriend. Its fiction but certainly there are parts of my life that I remembered and drew from. 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. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Mom's reminder that behavior like this could land Josh in jail one day again points to the state of race relations in the US--as a black man, Josh is more likely than a white peer to end up in jail for a crime. Dad's bloody nose is another red flag that his health isn't as good as it should be. Josh and JB generally get along; but they have very different personalities. 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. (LogOut/ Tomorrow Is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation. This further allows students to practice at life as they experience Joshs reactions to conflict relevant to their own lives in the story. "Dear Jordan" from The Crossover A cleave poem about twin brothers and basketball. Dad picks up the boys; he's cracking jokes, and theyre laughing. The way the content is organized. First Quarter Quotes To get ready for the season, I went to three summer camps. He and JB lock eyes; theres that seeing-a-ghost sensation again. 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]). Dad's heart attack here makes it clear that Mom is right: Dad shouldn't play anymore if he wants to preserve his health. 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. I mean, you imagine Steph Curry going back behind his back with the ball or Allen Iverson doing his crossover or Michael Jordan or LeBron James moving to the basket in this rhythmic, energetic, really awesome way. The heart attack Chuck suffers during the one-on-one game at the end of this section is not the last warning we hope it is: rather, its a sign that there is no going back. Like Dad, Mom is able to take the long view and believe that this is a temporary phase in her sons' lives. forever. 0000001216 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. What is the meaning of "his only fully developed exposition in 1941 of the strategic threat"? No practice to get ready. We begin with the poems of John Agard. What seemed to be a great disappointment for Myrtle concerning her marriage to George? They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Choose only one theme and only one poem. Its wonderful. As Josh and JB take over caring for their father, the tables turn and suddenly, they're thrown into adult roles. Profusely means to pour forth in great quantity. Or what is his goal? 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. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Said he didn't want to miss Bible school. He smiles at Mom, gives, happy. Essay Topics. Copyright 2014 by Kwame Alexander. 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. Coach isn't worried; he starts blasting his favorite dance music. Joshs earlier sense that everything was going well in his life and something bad was certain to happen soon has now revealed itself to have been very prescient. When JB asks for seconds of salad, it shows that he recognizes that eating well is a good way to impress girls. Do depictions of all cultures avoid oversimplification or offer genuine insights? Matthew Goulette: Is this story based on your life or someone you know? Oh my goodness! Her first job in professional radio was at WVMX in Stowe, where she worked as News Director and co-host of The Morning Show. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. What thoughts and emotions does Josh express in "Dear Jordan"? In particular, it begins to align him with Dad, who is still highly regarded even though he's also not playing. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Mom's amendment in particular betrays that this is likely more serious than she's letting on. And Im so thankful. . Alexander also found a way to sneak some of his favorite words into the book. "I love that word! 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? Josh also has a strong relationship with his basketball coach and receives much guidance and support from him as well. Actively Learn provides free ELA, science, and social studies digital contentshort stories, primary sources, textbook sections, science articles, novels, videos, and moreand embeds them with assignments aligned to standards for all 50 states that you can assign immediately or customize for your students. 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. 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. 0000038553 00000 n Sure. 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. 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. Kwame Alexander "Dear Jordan" from THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander. Josh explains that every night after dinner, Dad insists that he and. This begins to show Josh that if he starts to make amends with her, he might also get JB back. He almost dunks, but an elbow comes up and fouls him to the floor. With his eyes on a future at Duke, Josh seems to have it all. What does her reacti 5m%4|#w gJVxx3@#vwd)}Dt9h'3S? %PDF-1.6 % Though we see female characters present in the story, they are only secondary characters that further define the role of the male in the story. Dad jokes about the name. Suddenly, Josh sees, team in Italy. Sure, writers, we write from observation, imagination, experience. The paired text students will look at is Michael Jordan's 2003 Retirement Letter, also titled "Dear Basketball."In 2015, Bryant announced his retirement . / But you cant / drop the ball (146). Before. After the game, in the locker room, unexpected bad event that often results in injuries. Its not memoir. 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. I danced around my room. For Josh, having to sit out and watch his team struggle shows him first how hard they've worked--Vondie and JB are still doing reasonably well--but it also shows Josh what an integral part of the team he was and with this, helps reaffirm his desire to get back on the court. Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14). First he would use the word in a poem, then he would write a second poem to define the word. (21) $1.99. Theyre having a fantastic time, and everyone there is watching. Dad bites into his third donut and, when, out of you what they expect out of their own lives. Unfortunately, that wouldnt be a middle grade novel. 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. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. can you help me heal, run with me, slash with me like we used to? 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). I am writing a prequel to The Crossover. So Im very excited about that. This belief helps me to experience family dynamics and conflicts both similar and different to my own. At the stoplight, JB and Josh look out the window at the same time, and Josh knows what his brother is thinking. JB only went toone. GradeSaver, 9 September 2019 Web. And, eventually after maybe a draft of it I knew that I wanted him to have a twin brother. %%EOF The inside of Mom and Dad's bedroom closet. The dialect, slang and colorful personalities of Josh and his family members makes me feel like I am reading about a real family. Dad says he needs to get back on the courthe misses it too much. 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. 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. 0000029230 00000 n 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. 1079 0 obj <> endobj Josh, mine it. Symptoms like this suggest that Dad is at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. The students at St. Etheldreda's School for Young Ladies are there to learn to behave as proper maidens should. I don't know VPR's coverage of arts and culture in the region. 1162410. Dad is yelling from the stands and Mom is trying to calm him down. The students at Rutland Town School had some questions for the author. It began with Josh. Now can you go make my French toast please?. Osborne-Bartucca, Kristen. 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 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 atonement in the Crossover using the poem "Dear Jordan" . You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. I would use this book with adolescent students as a way to inspire them to explore self-expression through writing. 0000003750 00000 n By bringing up Dad's championship ring again, Josh reminds the reader that his goal in life is to one day be good enough to wear the ring. 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. a principal. The story is told from Joshs point of view. Get this assignment written for you by Expert Writers in this subject. Josh does CPR, but nothing changes. His preferred nickname is, the game. There is a big vocabulary test tomorrow and Josh is worried for his brother. When we asked them how they liked the book, they raved about the book. Mom asks how they met and JB is full of details, explaining how she came into the lunchroom, how he learned she played basketball, and how he told Vondie she was pulchritudinous. Theyre not alone. include his brilliant coming of age novel Rebound (published by Andersen Press). Discover award-winning poet Grace Nichols. Its life changing. Published by on October 25, 2020. 0000011723 00000 n The tension between Josh and Jordan escalates, and they both do regrettable things. After dinner, Dad takes Josh and. He admits he is empty: he is the goal with no net. 4.7. 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. the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. trailer <<35AB4B5BD4F54B6294CFA91B5522B120>]/Prev 252765>> startxref 0 %%EOF 61 0 obj <>stream Complete your free account to request a guide. 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. Dad sighs that the boys are getting older and they will manage. Josh has trouble separating the two. It would have been great to see more of Alexiss perspective in the story to clarify. However, I will tell you this. And after that type of success, Rutland Town seventh grader Joe Anderson wanted to know it theres more to come. People are watching; the crowd is growing; Josh and Dad are balling. (LogOut/ Dad replies sadly that he let them down, and Josh asks what he should do. How Do You Spell Trouble? In this activity, they will complete a Poem Analysis & Compare/Contrast Paired Text Activity. His suggestion to write JB a letter again speaks to the power of words and communication. As the boys walk home from practice, Josh peppers, After dinner. He wants Dad to talk to Mom because he feels like he needs to be in the playoffs and is letting his teammates down. Alexis calls and Josh answers; she says hello and asks for JB. Josh watches, Vondie brings the ball up the court, but the defense presses close. Coach, Dad, and the crowd all scream for Josh to pass the ball. During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. In this poem, Josh makes efforts to repair the cracked friendship between him and his brother. 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. What, isn't that what you wanted, Filthy? Charles's financial troubles were causing Dee Dee a lot of crises. Come on, tell me. The Childrens Bookshow is celebrating its 20th birthday this year with a brand-new free exhibition. The Question and Answer section for The Crossover is a great Josh isnt a clich; he truly seems to be a living, breathing boy who experiences real feelings of despair, triumph, pride, jealousy, and confusion. 2 See answers Advertisement loveleefelix2014 Answer: Sad (it's a su!cide note,so it's pretty obvious,but meh)hope this helps. Mom acts like an umbrella and shuts Dad down. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. When my Dad gets pulled over, I worry that he is going to get a ticket; the thought that he would go to jail never crosses my mind. 0000011131 00000 n She runs past the boys' room and when, pull through and sends his love. What does Josh want more in the book? His Dad has a heart attack and slips into a coma. 0000009118 00000 n Mom texts a few times that she and Dad needed to leave because Dad did not feel wellhes fine, just tired. 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? Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Dad is joking and telling stories about Italy. The students at Rutland Town School had some questions for the author. They will be able to relate to the topic, theme, setting and emotion conveyed in the story. Down on the court, Storm. 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. Josh tries talking to JB, but JB does not reply; its been five days. 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. Mom and Dad are serious, while, few weeks. A novel told in verse, with striking illustrations, this book is about basketball and much more: as they progress into young adulthood, navigating the pressures of home and school, the relationship between Josh and Jordan begins to change. All Rights Reserved. This indicates that coming of age can happen suddenly and horrifically at times. 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. JB asks.And even though I never opened my mouth,I say, Thanks,becauseit is. It began with this 12-year-old-boy, who came to be known as Filthy McNasty. 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. JB and Josh are estranged, but Dads making them play a three-on-three tomorrow at the rec center. Josh wants a world outside of basketball, and he wants his relationship with JB to remain unchanged. 0000013043 00000 n %PDF-1.4 % This is the new name Josh has for Alexis. Josh was estranged from himself when he threw the ball at JB. Get up to speed on the news Vermont is talking about, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Zip. She and Coach try to control Dad. You're twins, not the same person.But that doesn't mean he has to stop loving me. He was only 39 and might have had a chance if he had seen a doctor sooner. 16 0 obj <> endobj xref 16 46 0000000016 00000 n Fights between friends usually end in a cutting off of the relationship as opposed to engaging in healthy conflict to find a resolution. All rights reserved. They are depicted as complex, challenging and ever changing. Family relationships are the epicenter of this novel. 10. The Crossover Quotes and Analysis .I knew one day I'd need my own wings to fly. Dads blood pressure was so high during the game that his nose started bleeding profusely. My mom was a school principal My dad played basketball before I was born. And for the first time in my lifeI don't want to be. Rather than just letting the boys go to bed, Mom makes them read. On page 185, Coach shares with Josh that he got into a fight with his brother in high school and now they are estranged. So I didnt get the cool dad, I got the academic scholar dad that made me read books.
dear jordan poem the crossover