The typical young adult
novel today has a tendency to begin with one or more parents being absent, or
on drugs or dead. It is an understandable albeit annoying literary concept. The
author wants to have the teen in the position of responsibility. Having a parent
in the picture reverts the authority to the adult instead of the teen. Just
like vampires and zombies books, the missing adult has become an overused
concept. So when I read, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, I was pleasantly
surprised to find a coming of age young adult novel that begins with both
parents who are present, supportive and play a significant role in their
children’s lives.
The story revolves
around twelve year old twin basketball sensations, Josh and Jordan Bell. These
boys learned the game from their father, former professional basketball player,
Chuck “Da Man” Bell. Josh, the narrator, focuses squarely on the game of
basketball. However his twin brother, Jordan aka “JB” Bell, has shifted his attention
away from his brother, finding the new girl in school a lot more interesting.
Thus the conflict begins. Josh is confused and jealous by JB’s attention to the
girl he nicknames “Miss Sweet Tea”. These inner conflicts lead Josh to
impulsively lash out at JB on the court; a move that gets him kicked off the
team, not by the coach but by his mother, Dr. Bell, who also happens to be their
school’s assistant principal. Add to that turmoil the underlying issue of their
father’s health. The boys find out that their father left professional
basketball because he refused to go the doctor to have an operation. Although
Mr. Bell shows symptoms like fainting spells and nose bleeds throughout the
story he refuses to take his health issues seriously. Could this be a precursor
to a parental demise? Of course you are going to have to read the story to find
out!
Teens and tweens are
going to love The Crossover because
it’s about teenage boys playing basketball, championship playoffs and girl
drama. The cover, showing a silhouetted basketball player in black and orange
balancing a basketball on his finger against a simple white background, will
draw teenagers into opening the book. The first page begins with a rap verse
showing text in various sizes and fonts including words running laterally down
the page to mimic the boys’ action on the basketball court. Each development in
the story occurs on the page in verse form, sometimes as a rhythmic rap, other
times in short phrases; the various styles of verse echoing the action and
energy of the story. Between the subject, the play-by-play action and in-verse
format, kids are going to grab this one off the shelves!
For adults the draw is author,
Kwame Alexander’s, theme of “family” masterfully woven throughout the novel. He
focuses his entire story on only the four family members plus the increased
presence of the girlfriend; illustrating the shift in the dynamics of the
family. The parents provide support for the boys through insightful family
“basketball rules; life lessons for the home as well as the basketball court. This
novel also breaks through many cultural stereotypes. Their mother, Dr. Bell, is
a working woman and a loving mother. Their father’s role is to “coach the
house”; providing guidance and support for the family from home. When the boys
make mistakes, the parents give them realistic consequences. The family fights,
but not about drugs or guns or cheating. They fight about finances, health
issues and sibling rivalry.
The publishing company
chose to recommend “Crossover” to readers in grades 4 to 7. However, I feel
this amazing book will also attract older teens as well as adults. So let’s
buck the trend of the absent or dysfunctional parent! The
Crossover demonstrates how positive role models can be successfully added
to a young adult novel to enhance, not hinder, a teen’s independent choices. It’s
a trend that could ignite a positive movement in young adult literature.
