Sticky Notes: The Crossover

 

Okey dokey. Let's talk about The Crossover (240 pages), award-winning novel-in-verse by Kwame Alexander. This young adult contemporary story centers on basketball, brotherhood, and family, but it does it all through poetry. That alone was enough to make me curious. I had never read a novel in verse before, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But from the opening pages, I was hooked.

But, this book didn’t just resonate with me, it resonated with a lot of people. The Crossover won the Newbery Medal (2015), was named a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and appeared on numerous American Library Association and best-of-the-year lists. It’s one of those rare books that is both critically acclaimed and wildly accessible to young readers.

A Quick, Spoiler-Free Summary

At its core, this is a story about twin brothers, Josh and Jordan Bell, who live and breathe basketball. Their dad is a former professional player, their world revolves around the court, and their bond is tight…until it’s not. Josh, nicknamed “Filthy McNasty,” narrates the story in sharp, rhythmic verse that captures his swagger, competitiveness, jealousy, and eventually heartbreak.

Basketball provides the pulse of the story, but this book is really about family, about what happens when life throws something at you that no crossover move can fix.

Why I Chose This Book

I had zero experience with novels in verse before this. I tend to gravitate toward traditional prose, so this felt like stepping into new territory. But I also love basketball (and my son plays), so that angle pulled me in. I was curious whether poetry could really capture the speed, tension, and rhythm of the game.

Spoiler...it absolutely can.

Teaching & Content Considerations

This would be a fantastic whole-class read in middle school, though it could also work in small groups or as an independent read. The age of the characters makes me feel like this is more appropriate for middle schoolers, but it would be a good read for any grade above 6th. The accessible format might especially appeal to students who feel intimidated by longer, denser novels. 

Instructionally, there’s so much here:

A mini-lesson on meter and rhythm, analyzing how Alexander mimics the bounce of a basketball through line breaks and pacing.

Integration into a broader poetry unit to show students what a novel in verse can accomplish.

Exploration of family dynamics, grief, masculinity, identity, and competition.

Close study of figurative language, especially metaphor and imagery.

The emotional content, particularly around illness and loss, is heavy, but it’s handled thoughtfully and feels appropriate for upper elementary to middle school readers.

Read-Aloud Moments

p. 10 – “Filthy McNasty”: This chapter moves. The rhythm feels like a dribble sequence—quick, flashy, confident. It’s the perfect hook.

p. 194 – “At Noon. In the Gym. With Dad.”: The emotional charge is palpable. The pacing shifts, and you can feel the weight of the moment.

p. 207 – “Happy is a huge river and I’ve forgotten how to swim.”: The imagery here is stunning. That single line captures grief more powerfully than paragraphs of explanation ever could.

Final Thoughts

This was my first adventure into a novel in verse, and I loved it. The language flows so well, yet it carries serious emotional weight. In some ways, the poetic form makes the sadness and grief feel even more immediate. I felt Josh’s outrage. I felt his confusion. I felt the loss.

This book reminded me how important it is to step outside your comfort zone as a reader. I was initially skeptical of the format, and now I’m eager to read more novels in verse, and more from Kwame Alexander specifically.

Turns out, poetry can hit just as hard as a game-winning shot.