That boy is special, and it doesn't hurtthat Chuck "Da Man" Bell is his father.And mine, too. This also offers hope that, if Josh can catch the ball next time, he might be able to make things better. The Crossover Summary The narrator of the novel (which is told in verse) is Josh Bell, an 8th-grade boy. We begin with the poems of John Agard. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. 0000001216 00000 n 0000002682 00000 n Josh also has a strong relationship with his basketball coach and receives much guidance and support from him as well. 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. Rather than just letting the boys go to bed, Mom makes them read. 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. If you have read this book, can you tell me what poetic type the poem "Dear Jordan" is. 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 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. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. The two-column structure used in the Crossover's poem "Dear Jordan" is a symbol of: question about the great Gatsby chapter 2: 0000010816 00000 n From the doorway, a stricken Mom says he should go sit down for dinner. Ever sinceKim Bazemore kissed him in Sunday school,he's been acting all religious. homes for sale in fishersville, va; 22 . They are like "two stars / stealing sun" and "like two brothers / burning up. On the way home from the hospital, there is no music and no talking. 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. He tells a joke and, finally, they all laugh. Josh was estranged from himself when he threw the ball at JB. Coach doesnt allow Josh to start the game since he was late, and later, something in Josh snaps. Get this assignment written for you by Expert Writers in this subject. Plus he has MJ sheets . But then, things start to unravel as JB starts to get more interested in girls. What does the postscript say in "Dear Jordan"? With six seconds to go, the Wildcats are up sixteen points. 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. Joshs life and his humanity, as opposed to just reading about it. Before the three-on-three, Josh challenges Dad to a quick one-on-one. This is a life lesson that many young readers have a strong reaction to and would welcome the opportunity to discuss in a safe environment to voice their anger, fear and outrage. Because the only thing that matters is swish.Because our backboard is splintered. I mean, what better way to capture that movement from the court, and to put that on the page, than through poetry? Alexis calls and Josh answers; she says hello and asks for JB. Assign this text to deeply engage your students! Mom tells JB that Josh has apologized for his mistake, but JB states that he saw the look in Joshs eye and it was not a mistake. Dad passes to Josh, Josh passes to, use it in another sentence, he wonders why pulchritudinous Miss Sweet Tea is talking to, Walking Home. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. 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. Josh whispers to Dad that JB wont talk to him, and Dad replies that he just has to let the smoke clear. Refine any search. Assign this text to your students for free. 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. He and his own brother are estranged, and he does not want JB and Josh to be like that. 1090 0 obj <>stream I have never had this worry. The Reggie Lewis Wildcats have reached the playoffs thanks to the work of Jordan Bell. After dinner, Dad takes Josh and. She lets the news drop: he is suspended from the team. In the next several poems, the . Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs He was only 39 and might have had a chance if he had seen a doctor sooner. endstream endobj 1085 0 obj <>stream Advertisement bfordjohnson As Josh begins to think of himself as a member of a choir and finds the ability to cheer for JB, he also begins to recognize that the rest of the team is made up of players who are also very good and deserving of recognition. When JB is brushing his teeth, Josh steals into their room and lays his outlines down on JBs pillow. / together" (159). 0000003834 00000 n Previously, in "Dear Edward" episode 7, we saw Edward get to know Mahira, Jordan's girlfriend. hbbd``b`$n zb1LL@k# #@ # _ All rights reserved. Symptoms like this suggest that Dad is at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. JB sweats profusely when Miss Sweet Tea walks into the room. This begins to show Josh that if he starts to make amends with her, he might also get JB back. 0000013468 00000 n 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. 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. 0000006505 00000 n 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. Dylan DiPietro: How did you react when you learned that The Crossover won the 2015 Newbury Award? a principal. However, some parts of the book are written as a lyric poem, which is melodic and soundlike. I would say there are some gender stereotypes present in the book. I am writing a prequel to The Crossover. Dad replies sadly that he let them down, and Josh asks what he should do. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This seems to support the stereotype that girls intellect and personality are secondary to their looks. She and Coach try to control Dad. What is the meaning of "his only fully developed exposition in 1941 of the strategic threat"? 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. How did the structure of the poem "Dear Jordan" on page 130 help us learn more about Josh and JB's relationship? Dad says he needs to get back on the courthe misses it too much. In this poem, the author uses short, choppy lines to convey a sense of urgency; this narrates the story of Joshs dads heart attack. They will be able to relate to the topic, theme, setting and emotion conveyed in the story. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. "FOURTH QUARTER" to "Free Throws" Summary and Analysis, "Bad News" to "Before" Summary and Analysis. They are depicted as complex, challenging and ever changing. Jordan insists that everyone call him JB. The Crossover Quotes and Analysis .I knew one day I'd need my own wings to fly. 0000007875 00000 n He also co-founded LEAP for Ghana, an International Literacy Program. Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop makes the point that in multicultural literature, a characters humanity should come through. To get ready for the season, I wentto three summer camps. It refers to a basketball move (described in the . I think basketball and is father are reflections of each other. 4.7. This illustrates how a person can use language to shape their identity. The dialect, slang and colorful personalities of Josh and his family members makes me feel like I am reading about a real family. I believe this book is a strong representation of cultural authenticity. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . Its made-up. What thoughts and emotions does Josh express in "Dear Jordan"? Theyre not alone. Keen editors and support staff will supervise the task for you to guarantee Quality and ORIGINAL paper that scores high. The fact that Josh is listening offers hope that, given what he's seen, he'll take Mom's side and take better care of himself in the future. 0000014880 00000 n 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. Dear Jordan. This suggests that as Josh and JB grow up, part of their coming of age will be having to learn to accept each other as they grow rather than just deciding to grow apart. The only caution I have for this book is making sure it is not overly analyzed. He turns out the light to go to sleep and hears his brother say Thanks.. That it was going to be a 12-year-old boy. He has a book coming out in April about a soccer player who doesnt like to read. How does he apologize to his twin brother for being churlish and almost breaking his nose? Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14). the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. Like Dad, Mom is able to take the long view and believe that this is a temporary phase in her sons' lives. Osborne-Bartucca, Kristen. Amy is an award winning journalist who has worked in print and radio in Vermont since 1991. ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How does the structure of the poem convey the speaker's message? We put their questions a to Kwame Alexander. 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. JB and his attacker stare at each other. Profusely means to pour forth in great quantity. Childrens Literature, Briefly(6th ed.). It would have been great to see more of Alexiss perspective in the story to clarify. Kyle DelBianco: Why did you choose to write the book in poetry form? 1. / But you cant / drop the ball (146). Published by on October 25, 2020. Thus, they will be able to create characters based on what they know or what they want to see reflected in literature. atonement in the Crossover using the poem "Dear Jordan" . Unfortunately, that wouldnt be a middle grade novel. on tell the reader about what she values and what her priorities are? JB is on fire and blazes from baseline to baseline. He cares for it meticulously every day, and this is why he declines, The game is tied. So it was chronological. 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. GradeSaver, 9 September 2019 Web. The story is told from Joshs point of view. During November we'll be sharing our love of poetry, by focussing on an excellent children's poet each week. (LogOut/ His life is broken like puzzle pieces and he can no longer fit. (21) $1.99. When the game starts, Josh looks up to his parents, but theyre not there. What happened to allow JB to cut Joshs dreadlocks? Mom tells Jordan she wants to meet his new friend; Dad chimes in that they want to meet the girl who took JB away. He calms down, but suddenly his nose gushes blood. Oh my gosh! He adds that Mom said Josh could play if they make it to the championship game. 0000009882 00000 n Its completely fiction. trailer <<35AB4B5BD4F54B6294CFA91B5522B120>]/Prev 252765>> startxref 0 %%EOF 61 0 obj <>stream JB echoes.And the word wenever soundedsweeter. She is at the house for dinner and Josh is surprised to hear JB asking for seconds of the healthy food. Dad is yelling from the stands and Mom is trying to calm him down. Dear Jordan Josh writes his letter. Speaking of Alexis, even though the main characters of this book are obviously boys, Alexander does not make Alexis merely an object of desire or a dull cipher. Now can you go make my French toast please?. Kwame Alexander: "Oh my gosh! 2 See answers Advertisement loveleefelix2014 Answer: Sad (it's a su!cide note,so it's pretty obvious,but meh)hope this helps. 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. 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) . Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. 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. 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. worked--the Wildcats won and dedicated the game ball to Dad. I danced around my room. And so the next poem starts with a definition: Seventh grader Matthew Goulette wonders where Alexanders ideas for The Crossover came from. Thus, readers come to know how the power of words and vibrant language evoke deep emotional responses as we read about Joshs life. -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 and Dad's closet is off limits. JB only went toone. In Mom, since you asked the author uses repetition to illustrate Joshs venting of everything that is causing his inner turmoil and anger. Though Miss Sweet Tea didn't intend to pull the boys apart, she now feels compelled to do so since her loyalty lies with JB and not at all with Josh. There is a big vocabulary test tomorrow and Josh is worried for his brother. 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. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Tomorrow Is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation. A cleave poem about twin brothers and basketball. I would use this book with adolescent students as a way to inspire them to explore self-expression through writing. 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. The Crossover Characters Next Josh Josh Josh is the twelve-year-old protagonist of the novel. Because he's relying on physical communication and violence to express himself, he's less successful and therefore, more upset. 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. The tension between Josh and Jordan escalates, and they both do regrettable things. Fights between friends usually end in a cutting off of the relationship as opposed to engaging in healthy conflict to find a resolution. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Im still reacting to it. Coach, Dad, and the crowd all scream for Josh to pass the ball. Then, everything in his world comes crashing down. Coach isn't worried; he starts blasting his favorite dance music. 0000008677 00000 n 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. JB's choice to side with Miss Sweet Tea is an overt way to show Josh that he's still angry and not willing to make up. 0000007152 00000 n (LogOut/ This further allows students to practice at life as they experience Joshs reactions to conflict relevant to their own lives in the story. 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. 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. Alexander says he came across the name while working on the story. Struggling with distance learning? After the game, in the locker room, unexpected bad event that often results in injuries. 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. Down on the court, Storm. 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). (including. His voice is as loud as thunder. . We only learn more about her personality towards the end of the book when she comes to dinner with JBs family. 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. Alexis calls 911 and JB rushes to get water to splash Dads face. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. In other words, this interest shows that Josh recognizes that the doctor isn't bad, and that unlike Dad he knows he should trust the doctor/. Josh and, in a hospital and now, Dad hates doctors. is wrong. Write an essay for ONE of the following topics: Essay Topic 1. Before. 0000012380 00000 n 0000007127 00000 n At the End of Warm-Ups, My Brother Tries to Dunk. Josh is thrilled to get to play, as he knows that when he and. Change). Josh chooses to give her the note for his brother and takes the rap for cheating. What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence? The Crossover study guide contains a biography of Kwame Alexander, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. 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. 0000007406 00000 n I think it was very insightful inThe Crossoverto include the relationship Josh had with his coach. And after that type of success, Rutland Town seventh grader Joe Anderson wanted to know it theres more to come. "Filthy McNasty" is described as being what mythical creature in the poem by the same name? 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. JB is standing there and saying nothing; his eyes are looking past Josh. The doctor tells. The words and rhythmic flow of these words on the page depict Joshs inner thoughts; his flow on the court. Copyright 2014 by Kwame Alexander. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Mom and Dad argue. 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. People are watching; the crowd is growing; Josh and Dad are balling. You earned it, Filthy, he says,sliding the ring on my finger.My heart leapsinto my throat. Josh's stay in the hospital while caring for his sick father, his father's eventual demise further made him lonely and he frantically sought to repair the relationship. 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. comes for dinner, she asks for seconds of Mom's veggie lasagna. Um, so yeah. Josh does not have much to say but apologizes. he asks. i6rUU-jIT "/}N3t,neS>3%#O;(a46"poKR}l'ySlaAOEtV6`=vL nq. %PDF-1.4 % 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. June 22, 2022; Posted by . Dad is screaming, running down the stairs, and yelling at the ref. Dad falls, his eyes roll, and Josh screams. 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. 0000010458 00000 n atonement in the Crossover using the poem "Dear Jordan" . You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. H\@. I also see many students who are similar to Josh lean on their relationships with their sport coaches for stability. With his eyes on a future at Duke, Josh seems to have it all. Vondie passes to, that they're going to go home. 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. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Sure, writers, we write from observation, imagination, experience. When JB asks for seconds of salad, it shows that he recognizes that eating well is a good way to impress girls. ", 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. This book presents a realistic view of family life; the constant cycle of joys and hurdles. What does Josh want more in the book? instead, tells him that being early is always better than being a little bit late.