Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. 1079 0 obj <> endobj Joshs interior state as he contemplates these changes in his life is a testament to Alexanders ability to capture the complexity of a teenager. On the way home from the hospital, there is no music and no talking. One of those actions leads Josh to write an apology letter to his brother. 0000016558 00000 n 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. 0000003226 00000 n (LogOut/ This again shows how Dad prioritizes basketball over his health. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. 1. The fact that Dad does his best to correct himself and call Josh what he wants to be called shows that Dad is happy to show Josh the same kind of understanding that he showed JB when he asked him to invite Miss Sweet Tea for dinner. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. This is the beginning of a big change in Josh and JBs relationship. The dialect, slang and colorful personalities of Josh and his family members makes me feel like I am reading about a real family. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." He adds that Mom said Josh could play if they make it to the championship game. At Rutland Town School, the students put themselves in Joshs shoes and tried writing their own letters to Jordan, whose nickname is JB. becauseI'm watching Jordan pass notesto Miss Sweet Tea. No warm-up. This shows how much he respects and leans on his coach to show him the way when he is unsure. Josh is busy taking his vocabulary test when, Josh doesn't pay any attention to his teacher or the dummy and instead he watches, Conversation. All of this is better than no girlfriend at all, which is what Josh has. Its completely fiction. (LogOut/ Vondie passes to, that they're going to go home. This also offers hope that, if Josh can catch the ball next time, he might be able to make things better. ", How did I react? Alexander also found a way to sneak some of his favorite words into the book. Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14). Some of the language and experiences are counter to my own, which gives me a realistic glimpse into the life of an African American family. One night while on the way to a game, Joshs Dad gets pulled over for a broken taillight. In this poem, the author uses short, choppy lines to convey a sense of urgency; this narrates the story of Joshs dads heart attack. Joshs spinach and tofu lunch is cruel, but not as cruel as the look Miss Sweet Tea gives him. 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. VU- endstream endobj 17 0 obj <>>> endobj 18 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 19 0 obj <>stream However, some parts of the book are written as a lyric poem, which is melodic and soundlike. In "Dear Jordan," the poem describes Josh's apology to his brother and his emptiness without him. is blocked, which results in that part of the heart muscle suffering damage or dying. (including. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. 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. %PDF-1.4 % We begin with the poems of John Agard. 0000001216 00000 n dear jordan poem the crossover. 0000009118 00000 n Miss Sweet Tea calls 911 while, The doctor pats Jordan and me on the back and says. . 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. After two hours, Mom kicks the relatives out and after they leave, Dad calls. Sherry Taylor. gives a fry each to Josh and Vondie and then tells Josh that he and, Sweet Tea's divorced parents are estranged. They have the added bonus of helping people realize that he isn't, Mom always makes Dad sit at the very top of the bleachers during Josh and. 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. JB and Josh are estranged, but Dads making them play a three-on-three tomorrow at the rec center. Thus, they will be able to create characters based on what they know or what they want to see reflected in literature. Come spring, these Rutland Town readers may be inspired to head out to the soccer pitch as well. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. 10. Mom and Dad's choice to turn the conversation to JB and his relationship with Miss Sweet Tea shows again that they understand his new relationship is a normal part of his coming of age. Profusely means to pour forth in great quantity. He suggests writing him a letter, and Josh thinks that could work. 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/. Plus he has MJ sheets . Previously, in "Dear Edward" episode 7, we saw Edward get to know Mahira, Jordan's girlfriend. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. JB only went toone. endstream endobj 1080 0 obj <>>>/Filter/Standard/Length 128/O(+vtyd#\nOxe\))/P -1052/R 4/StmF/StdCF/StrF/StdCF/U(DJyd )/V 4>> endobj 1081 0 obj <> endobj 1082 0 obj <>>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> endobj 1083 0 obj <>stream 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. 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. When I walk onto the court I prefer silence so I can watch, react, surprise. They are teammates in every sense of the word; able to wordlessly communicate on the court to become the stars of the team. "Mom doesn't like us eating out" to "How Do You Spell Trouble? So I knew that the book would be told from the vantage point of a boy. Vondie has a girlfriend now, too. They are like "two stars / stealing sun" and "like two brothers / burning up. uses it in a sentence and says that in Mom and Dad's closet, he and, all the teasing dies down, the game begins. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. In this way, she tries to distract Josh by talking about anything else to keep him from worrying about Dad. 0000013846 00000 n 5. Come on, tell me. He wants the boys to be their own people, and he wants them to know that becoming someone different is okay and expected. His parents continue to press upon him the value of working hard and the importance of education. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. 1162410. The inside of Mom and Dad's bedroom closet. The significance of this comes across when Josh says, There are no coaches at funerals. They will be able to relate to the topic, theme, setting and emotion conveyed in the story. endstream endobj startxref Its a novel-in-verse about identical twins Josh and Jordan who are basketball stars at their middle school. How did the structure of the poem "Dear Jordan" on page 130 help us learn more about Josh and JB's relationship? Instead of passing JB the ball when he was wide open, he smashes him in the face with a pass hard enough to draw blood. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: ). is wrong. PS. The Wildcats are up by two now. Josh isnt a clich; he truly seems to be a living, breathing boy who experiences real feelings of despair, triumph, pride, jealousy, and confusion. This implies that Josh dropped the proverbial ball when he passed to JB. They are depicted as complex, challenging and ever changing. This is also an attempt to make Josh understand this, since Josh's narration implies that he doesn't see JB's relationship as something normal or expected. Fights between friends usually end in a cutting off of the relationship as opposed to engaging in healthy conflict to find a resolution. 0000008677 00000 n Pre-made quizzes on The Crossover Eight Week Quiz D that include 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions for a quick in-class quiz. 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. 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. Alexis calls 911 and JB rushes to get water to splash Dads face. Both Joshs parents and basketball coach provide non-didactic moral education for students to consider. People are watching; the crowd is growing; Josh and Dad are balling. Assign this text to deeply engage your students! 0000014880 00000 n At dinner, Mom is still upset about Josh's hair and makes. Josh realizes that sometimes its the things that arent said / that kill you (156). You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. 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]). 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) . What does he think, I'm stupid? I think basketball and is father are reflections of each other. Dear Jordan from THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander. He's survived by his wife (Mom) and his twin sons, Josh and, to look in the coffin. 0000039010 00000 n JB and I look outthe windowat the exact momentwe pass by the malland I know exactlywhat JB wants.Dad, can we stop at that sneaker storein the mall?Yeah, Dad, can we? Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 0000011426 00000 n On page 185, Coach shares with Josh that he got into a fight with his brother in high school and now they are estranged. Being named the MVP even though he's currently suspended speaks to how good a player Josh is. 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! First, his churlish and aggressive behavior toward his twin has almost severed their relationship. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I danced around my room. Josh, mine it. Tunnell, M. Jacobs, Young, T., Bryan, G. (2016). Shes a candy striper and cheerleader, and she talks about her favorite color being purple. The girls' lives are mundane under the, The fifth and sixth graders file down the stairs and into the school library, like they've done hundreds of times before. 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. How does the structure of the poem convey the speaker's message? Because he's relying on physical communication and violence to express himself, he's less successful and therefore, more upset. Dad wakes up. All rights reserved. 10. 0000012066 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. He's alone because, game. Josh hears Dad ask if he feels better and opens his eyes. I think Josh was the first character I wrote. The Crossover Characters Next Josh Josh Josh is the twelve-year-old protagonist of the novel. 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. Like Dad, Mom is able to take the long view and believe that this is a temporary phase in her sons' lives. 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. In some ways, Joshs parents defy these stereotypes as Dad stays home with the boys and his mom is an educated, smart assistant principal. What health problem does Chuck suffer from? JB sweats profusely when Miss Sweet Tea walks into the room. 0000014949 00000 n 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) . She was a VPR contributor from 2006 to 2020. As a consequence for his actions, his mom suspends him from the team. First he would use the word in a poem, then he would write a second poem to define the word. In this poem, Josh makes efforts to repair the cracked friendship between him and his brother. Hi Abby, Once again you have given detailed examination of the authors use of language. How Do You Spell Trouble? And so that was the first character that I created. Keen editors and support staff will supervise the task for you to guarantee Quality and ORIGINAL . PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Josh tries talking to JB, but JB does not reply; its been five days. 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. The two-column structure used in the Crossover's poem "Dear Jordan" stands for; The two-column structure used in Dear Jordan symbolizes the broken relationship between the two brothers Josh and JB. By analyzing how Alexander is able to use voice, word choice, sentence fluency and original ideas to write a powerful story, students will be able to create a story that reflects their own original idea. (including. The silence Josh refers to is also a metaphor for JB himself, which turns it around to mean that Josh feels he'll die without his brother too. First Quarter Quotes To get ready for the season, I went to three summer camps. 0000011131 00000 n What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence? The characters listen to the same music as they do, covet the same shoes, use the same slang. Copyright 2014 by Kwame Alexander. Lets use rhyme, lets use free verse, lets use different types of poetry to sort of mimic and mirror that action on the court and do that on the page. Though Josh is once again able to use his vocabulary words to make his life make more sense, he also indicates that his ability to effectively communicate is waning. endstream endobj 1085 0 obj <>stream June 22, 2022; Posted by . The score of the Wildcats' first game is 35-18. With this reading, it's easier to see that both boys are currently nursing hurt feelings and likely don't want to be fighting, but don't know how to bridge the gap. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. The way the content is organized. It began with Josh. Complete your free account to request a guide. After the game, in the locker room, unexpected bad event that often results in injuries. hb```b``Uf`c`] B@16%h0 > `]!hP;"eqb1ij5,`F0_.X63KhXdt@D&HBDPPI0 a`X," B 2&a Thus, readers come to know how the power of words and vibrant language evoke deep emotional responses as we read about Joshs life. Whether youre looking for The Tell-Tale Heart, The Hate U Give, The Gettysburg Address, or current science articles and simulations, Actively Learn is the free go-to source to help you guide your students' growth in critical thinking all year. Her looks not her personality is what first catches JBs attention. he asks. Climax: Dad dies during the championship game Antagonist: Hypertension and death; change Point of View: First-person Extra Credit for The Crossover Josh tells her hes busy, and she says she will see them at the rec center. Josh and JB generally get along; but they have very different personalities. on tell the reader about what she values and what her priorities are? Struggling with distance learning? Get this assignment written for you by Expert Writers in this subject. The fact that Josh was driven to (unintentional) violence at all speaks to the intensity of his feelings, which are made even more intense by the fact that Josh is entering puberty and starting to grow up. 0000011723 00000 n At dinner Josh sits next to. This book presents a realistic view of family life; the constant cycle of joys and hurdles. His preferred nickname is, the game. Suddenly, Josh sees, team in Italy. 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 fact that Miss Sweet Tea's sister attends Duke, the college that Josh wants to one day attend, suggests that Josh might actually like Miss Sweet Tea if he were willing to get to know her. Alexander says he came across the name while working on the story. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. 0000028950 00000 n patrick sandoval parents; sauerkraut and dumplings origin; what happened to nike flyknit racer. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Josh goes about his routine, trying hard to repair what had been broken between JB and him. There are sirens. View The_Crossover__Notes__4.2.21.docx from ENGLISH 606 at Dulles H S. The Crossover Notes: Second & Third Quarter Second Quarter Second Quarter begins with two back-to-back poems titled . Alexis went to Nike Hoops Camp for Girls; she knows how to do a crossover; her parents are divorced; she shoots hoops at the rec center to relax; she smells like sugarplums; her sister goes to Duke. We see this form emerge in Joshs thoughts about his game. So Im very excited about that. Doing this will take away students enjoyment of the story further supporting their belief that poetry is uninteresting. As in: Dad's in a comabecause of a myocardial infarction,which is the same thingmy grandfather died of.So what does that mean for meand JB? He unleashes a killer crossover and everyone is hollering as Dad dribbles to the hoop. Joe Anderson: Will there be a sequel with Josh and Jordan playing high school basketball? That it was going to be a 12-year-old boy. Its called Booked. His life is broken like puzzle pieces and he can no longer fit. She lets the news drop: he is suspended from the team. 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. Dad sighs that the boys are getting older and they will manage. Disclaimer: We are a custom writing service that provides customized for assistance purposes only. Coach isn't worried; he starts blasting his favorite dance music. She asks him sternly if hes lost his mind, and she says boys who dont have self-control end up behind bars. 0000007406 00000 n As the family drives to the game, Josh sits in the back with, who has them. What does Josh want more in the book? Josh also has a strong relationship with his basketball coach and receives much guidance and support from him as well. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. 10. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. He smiles at Mom, gives, happy. 0000020561 00000 n In the next several poems, the . Its not memoir. We see the shock wave ripple through the family when all their attempts to help Dad take ownership for his health fails and he dies. The apology poem that author Kwame Alexander wrote from Josh to JB in The Crossover is called "Dear Jordan." It's written in two columns and the author says it can actually be read several different ways: top to bottom, left to right or diagonally. kresge foundation jobs; dwarf rat vs mouse; sky internet down bolsover; terroni restaurant menu; lewis county, wa breaking news; Mahira showed him around the museum, where she and Jordan used to meet. And then I knew that there were going to be parents. Josh takes his problem to Dad and says that. Dad picks up the boys; he's cracking jokes, and theyre laughing. are down by seven. The story is told from Joshs point of view. As, Free Throws Tonight. All Rights Reserved. I believe this book is a strong representation of cultural authenticity. JB echoes.And the word wenever soundedsweeter. The title of this book (The Crossover) is an important phrase and idea throughout the book. Mom smiles and says hell be back on the team in no time, but she warns him not to press his luck. 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? With six seconds to go, the Wildcats are up sixteen points. Shay was envious of Mahira because Edward was giving her way more attention than he had ever given to Shay. Assign this text to your students for free. VPR's coverage of arts and culture in the region. Rebounding / is the art / of anticipating, / of always being prepared / to grab it. Mom insists that Dad call Dr. Youngblood. He cares for it meticulously every day, and this is why he declines, The game is tied. Then, everything in his world comes crashing down. 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." Its made-up. 5m%4|#w gJVxx3@#vwd)}Dt9h'3S? Excitement--like what Dad might have felt upon receiving this letter--likely raised his blood pressure and made him vomit, which indicates that Dad is even sicker than he's letting on. We advise our products to be used with proper referencing. And it is about the father when he was 12-years-old. Published by on October 25, 2020. There is a big vocabulary test tomorrow and Josh is worried for his brother. As his relationship unravels with his brother, he finds himself at odds more and more with his parents. Dad jokes about the name. She and Dad did not teach him to be churlish, and she does not know why hes been like this. He knows that this means, to Dad. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. 0000001569 00000 n Josh is making moves and dribbling; Dad gets the ball, winks, dips, and sweats. 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. %PDF-1.6 % Josh decides to sit with the team today instead of up with Mom and Dad. And then, of course, I thought, 'What middle grade kid, or teacher for that matter, is gonna know what that word means?'". (21) $1.99. So it was chronological. This further allows students to practice at life as they experience Joshs reactions to conflict relevant to their own lives in the story. Unfortunately, that wouldnt be a middle grade novel. 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. This book is also available as a graphic novel! Need Help with this Assignment? 16 0 obj <> endobj xref 16 46 0000000016 00000 n Ever sinceKim Bazemore kissed him in Sunday school,he's been acting all religious. and Tells Us His Favorite Story (Again). Josh watches, Vondie brings the ball up the court, but the defense presses close. Dad tries to break the tension by talking about Christmas and the turkey. To get ready for the season, I wentto three summer camps. Now lets go get some doughnuts (pg 92). He turns out the light to go to sleep and hears his brother say Thanks.. 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). Kyle DelBianco: Why did you choose to write the book in poetry form? Mom tells Jordan she wants to meet his new friend; Dad chimes in that they want to meet the girl who took JB away. And after that type of success, Rutland Town seventh grader Joe Anderson wanted to know it theres more to come. This story, about twelve year old Josh and his twin Jordan, is a joyful and dynamic celebration of language. These relationships (especially for boys) seem to fill a need at this stage in life. The only caution I have for this book is making sure it is not overly analyzed. They were missing Josh Filthy McNasty Bell, though, who is this papers Most Valuable Player. 0000002682 00000 n Kwame Alexander: Wow, never been asked the question before. a7[6se7U>rcf[,+*@j3(9 0000003834 00000 n Yeah, its sort of still a little tough to talk about because its overwhelming. 23-12. Kwame Alexander: No, its not autobiography. They're the big kids at Beeman, In 1944, a disastrous explosion rocked a Naval base in California called Port Chicago. His suggestion to write JB a letter again speaks to the power of words and communication. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. It refers to a basketball move (described in the . the playoffs are in two days, his grades were good, and the team needs him. 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. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. 0000003750 00000 n So I didnt get the cool dad, I got the academic scholar dad that made me read books. 0000009461 00000 n The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. When we asked them how they liked the book, they raved about the book. 2020 Pro Custom Essays. Said he didn't want to miss Bible school. Rather than just letting the boys go to bed, Mom makes them read.