"This prize-winning novel here in lively graphic form"
March 2020 Book of the Month
The novel of The Crossover is a Newberry Medal Winner, and a Coretta Scott King Award Winner in the US and was Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in the UK. This graphic novel version is the whole story complete with large and small two-coloured illustrations gracing every page. This is a deceptively simple read – a novel in verse about siblings getting through middle school, their lives, their crushes, their family interactions, and basketball.
The boys are twins Josh and Jordan Bell, sons of a famous basketball player, and aiming to make a mark in the world of basketball. There are rivalries between the boys, they revel in their differences, but family holds them together whatever the world throws at them.
The words and pictures work so well together, you will be on the edge of your seat, rooting for the team as they play and crying with the twins when thigs go awry. To tell such a complex story with so few words, with such emotional depth – Alexander is a master of devastating and uplifting storytelling. Anyabwile’s illustrations enhance a superb story – adding expressions and movement to an already great novel.
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Josh and Jordan have spent their life together and basketball is their thing. When Jordan gets a girlfriend, Josh must learn how to deal with a change to his life.
Josh and Jordan are twins, they do everything together including play basketball. When Jordan gets a girlfriend, Josh struggles with his feelings and the fact his twin is now distracted and no longer spending as much time with him, he has to learn a new period in his life. This phase does not always go well for Josh and the story addresses his feelings in a mature way.
Family is important in the story and this is not a book that shies away from the difficulties of life and delivers a story-line you may not predict.
I had already read the original version of this book and loved it, but this graphic novel took it to another level. The visual aspect of the book may help younger readers to pick up on some of the subtleties of the text.... Read Full Review
This is a powerful and emotional novel and one that will engage with readers of all ages and all abilities. It will appeal to a variety of readers, not only fans of Kwame Alexander but readers who love graphic novels, those who love stories about sport, real-life and those who like a quick read – this book has it all.
Written entirely in verse The Crossover Graphic Novel is like no other. Alexander’s original modern classic verse novel is given a vibrant, energetic feel by Anyabwile’s illustrations. The story centres around twin brothers Josh and Jordan. It focuses on their relationships, their family, their school lives and their passion – basketball. This is a powerful and emotional novel and one that will engage with readers of all ages and all abilities.... Read Full Review
An interesting style of book.
An interesting style of book played out in the form of a poem comic book.
I found the change of style good and it made me pay attention to all the colours that the book displayed. It was an interesting storyline that told the story of a young basketball star who struggles with decisions because his dad suffers from heart disease.... Read Full Review
