Dad's bloody nose is another red flag that his health isn't as good as it should be. 0 At one point, Josh begs his Dad to intervene and talk to JB, to which he replies, Filthy, if some girl done locked up JB, hes going to jail. So, certainly there are some things from my life that have probably creeped into this book. i6rUU-jIT "/}N3t,neS>3%#O;(a46"poKR}l'ySlaAOEtV6`=vL nq. The dialect, slang and colorful personalities of Josh and his family members makes me feel like I am reading about a real family. Get this assignment written for you by Expert Writers in this subject. To make matters worse, encourages the rest of the team to step up since Josh isn't playing. Kwame Alexander: No, its not autobiography. Coach gives the team a pep talk. At 7:45, she asks about the score and how. JB and Josh are estranged, but Dads making them play a three-on-three tomorrow at the rec center. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Disclaimer: We are a custom writing service that provides customized for assistance purposes only. I can feel what some of the experiences in the book are like for Josh because I can draw on my own life experiences to empathize with him. All Rights Reserved. 0000007293 00000 n June 22, 2022; Posted by . He asks if Josh and, On Christmas Eve. 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. He and his own brother are estranged, and he does not want JB and Josh to be like that. First, his churlish and aggressive behavior toward his twin has almost severed their relationship. Osborne-Bartucca, Kristen. 2020 Pro Custom Essays. Instant PDF downloads. 0000003750 00000 n Josh tells her hes busy, and she says she will see them at the rec center. I was going to sort of remember what I went through during that age and I sort of knew that that was going to be the point of view, from his perspective. 0000013468 00000 n 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? the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. PS. Choose only one theme and only one poem. Sure. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. In other words, the loneliness is one thing, but feeling left behind in this regard is even more painful. 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. Mom's amendment in particular betrays that this is likely more serious than she's letting on. Unfortunately, that wouldnt be a middle grade novel. 1079 0 obj <> endobj He asks Jordan to help him and hang out with him again. Joshs mom is the assistant principal at his school, a fact he doesnt love. How does he apologize to his twin brother for being churlish and almost breaking his nose? 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. This further allows students to practice at life as they experience Joshs reactions to conflict relevant to their own lives in the story. Its called Booked. 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. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. 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. Sometimes / you have to / lean back / a little / and / fade away / to get / the best / shot (191). Thus, readers come to know how the power of words and vibrant language evoke deep emotional responses as we read about Joshs life. Oh my goodness! His Dad has a heart attack and slips into a coma. Both are skilled basketball players. Josh and, in a hospital and now, Dad hates doctors. The team thanks JB profusely for getting them to the championship. 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. Josh wants in, but Mom warns him not to interfere. What is the meaning of "his only fully developed exposition in 1941 of the strategic threat"? 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. Josh walks home alone after practice, which feels strange since he usually walks with, finds The Giver. 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. Matthew Goulette: Is this story based on your life or someone you know? 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. Kwame Alexander: Wow, never been asked the question before. The Wildcats are up by two now. The Crossover has been winning top prizes and awards in childrens literature. He turns out the light to go to sleep and hears his brother say Thanks.. Mom and Dad are serious, while, few weeks. JB is on fire; Coach, Alexis, and Josh are his choir. JB and his attacker stare at each other. In Mom, since you asked the author uses repetition to illustrate Joshs venting of everything that is causing his inner turmoil and anger. Dad wakes up. Josh does not know how he went from annoyed to grumpy to churlish. Come on, tell me. 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 This site is using cookies under cookie policy . 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. 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. 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. Tomorrow Is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation. Dads blood pressure was so high during the game that his nose started bleeding profusely. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Evidence: He has one pair of Air Jordan sneakers for every month of the year including Air Jordan 1 Low Barack Obama Limited Editions, which he never wears. He almost dunks, but an elbow comes up and fouls him to the floor. Im still reacting to it. Though Josh never says so outright, this moment also suggests that he may have inherited or learned his love of English from Dad as well. 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. 0000010269 00000 n Kwame Alexander "Dear Jordan" from THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. 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. 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. What news is related in the poem "Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14)"? We kept her home all day and just sort of got on the couch, lit the fire, smiled, laughed, danced and sort of basked in the joy of this wonderful honor. 0000006505 00000 n When JB is brushing his teeth, Josh steals into their room and lays his outlines down on JBs pillow. 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. 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. I'm not paying attentionto anything he's sayingor to the dummy. For Josh, however, his world is being turned upside down with Dad's poor health and JB's interest in Miss Sweet Tea, both of which leave Josh feeling alone, so this feels especially fraught for him. The Crossoveris a wonderful mentor text for adolescent writers. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. Tomorrow Is the Last Day of School Before Christmas Vacation. (LogOut/ The Crossover study guide contains a biography of Kwame Alexander, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Kwame is the Founding Editor of Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt that aims to Change the World One Word at a Time. It began with this 12-year-old-boy, who came to be known as Filthy McNasty. }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 Copyright 2014 by Kwame Alexander. We put their questions a to Kwame Alexander. Just because he wants to repair his relationship with JB, does not mean he still doesnt have trouble with Alexis. 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 believe this book is a strong representation of cultural authenticity. This offers some hope that his eventual return will be accepted by all. We begin with the poems of John Agard. Josh has trouble separating the two. My wife and I danced My daughter, whos seven-years-old, in second grade, she woke up and she came in the room and said, Whats all the commotion for? And we said, Daddy just won the Newbury Medal. And she said, Yay! What seemed to be a great disappointment for Myrtle concerning her marriage to George? In the book "The Crossover" there is a poem called "Dear Jordan" where Josh is explaining how sorry he is. After two hours, Mom kicks the relatives out and after they leave, Dad calls. 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. Keen editors and support staff will supervise the task for you to guarantee Quality and ORIGINAL paper that scores high. They are like two stars / stealing sun and like two brothers / burning up. Its life changing. %PDF-1.6 % This indicates that coming of age can happen suddenly and horrifically at times. The Reggie Lewis Wildcats have reached the playoffs thanks to the work of Jordan Bell. Vondie passes to, that they're going to go home. He tells a joke and, finally, they all laugh. His family unit is strong, though it is not always perfect. On page 26, he says, JB likes to taunt and trash talk during games like Dad used to do when he played. All rights reserved. 0000007406 00000 n How does the structure of the poem convey the speaker's message? 10. Josh goes about his routine, trying hard to repair what had been broken between JB and him. Josh does CPR, but nothing changes. 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. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. 1. 0000014880 00000 n 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. 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. Suduiko, Aaron ed. 0000013846 00000 n Mom and Dad are silent and serious in the front. He says it all started with one synonym for "beautiful," in this passage from The Crossover: "Oh my goodness, what a word, Amy," said Alexander. In this poem, Josh makes efforts to repair the cracked friendship between him and his brother. What happened to allow JB to cut Joshs dreadlocks? He wants the boys to be their own people, and he wants them to know that becoming someone different is okay and expected. 4. As the family drives to the game, Josh sits in the back with, who has them. Mom texts a few times that she and Dad needed to leave because Dad did not feel wellhes fine, just tired. Kwame was also the 2018 NEA Read Across America ambassador. Josh and JB generally get along; but they have very different personalities. Coach, Dad, and the crowd all scream for Josh to pass the ball. JB sweats profusely when Miss Sweet Tea walks into the room. This story, about twelve year old Josh and his twin Jordan, is a joyful and dynamic celebration of language. 10. At Rutland Town School, the students put themselves in Joshs shoes and tried writing their own letters to Jordan, whose nickname is JB. "Dear Jordan" from The Crossover A cleave poem about twin brothers and basketball. As an example, he says that if, them from the restaurant. Dads kneeling weakly on the floor with a pool of vomit below him. And after that type of success, Rutland Town seventh grader Joe Anderson wanted to know it theres more to come. We are not liable to third-parties. Their mom is assistant principal at their school. Seventh grader Dylan DiPietro wonders how that feels. Coach doesnt allow Josh to start the game since he was late, and later, something in Josh snaps. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Symptoms like this suggest that Dad is at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. At the end of the chapter, why does the writing style change so drastically from what it was before, to sud 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. Assign this text to your students for free. 0000009118 00000 n atonement in the Crossover using the poem "Dear Jordan" . Sure, writers, we write from observation, imagination, experience. Literary Awards: Newbery Award (2015), Correta Scott King Award (2015), Focus: Poetry; Contemporary Realistic Fiction. And so that was the first character that I created. Joshs Dad gives him the nickname Filthy McNasty. 0000020561 00000 n Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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. 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. forever. He wonders if she actually plays. Family relationships are the epicenter of this novel. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. At dinner Josh sits next to. 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. Males are mostly depicted in the role of sports hero; strong, popular and at the center of society. 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." 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. It's, The boys each ask how the other is and then, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. His life is broken like puzzle pieces and he can no longer fit. Mom then sighs that they are done, and Josh asks what the consequences are. This is the beginning of a big change in Josh and JBs relationship. 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. Its made-up. Exploration of this text can be a gateway into students writing. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. When JB and Josh are in a fight, she takes JBs side without question because this is the expectation for her as a girlfriend. His parents continue to press upon him the value of working hard and the importance of education. What does Josh want more in the book? are gone. 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. 0000002682 00000 n 0000016558 00000 n Again, Dad's willingness to call Josh by his name shows that Dad respects that both of his sons are growing, changing, and taking control of their identities in perfectly normal ways. In the next several poems, the . 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]).