The Crossover Graphic Novel

The Crossover Graphic Novel #1

by Kwame Alexander, Dawud Anyabwile (Illustrator)

Kwame Alexander's The Crossover is brought to life as a graphic novel with illustrations by Dawud Anyabwile. 

"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . . The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. ’Cuz tonight I’m delivering," raps twelve-year-old Josh Bell. Thanks to their dad, he and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood—he's got mad beats, too, which help him find his rhythm when it’s all on the line.

See the Bell family in a whole new light through Dawud Anyabwile's illustrations as the brothers' winning season unfolds, and the world as they know it begins to change.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Sports, Middle Grade, Poetry, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2019

About the author

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and New York Times Bestselling author of 21 books, including The Crossover, which received the 2015 John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American literature for Children, the Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, The NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, and the Passaic Poetry Prize. Kwame writes for children of all ages. His other works include Surf's Up, a picture book; Booked, a middle grade novel; and He Said She Said, a YA novel.

Kwame believes that poetry can change the world, and he uses it to inspire and empower young people through his PAGE TO STAGE Writing and Publishing Program released by Scholastic. A regular speaker at colleges and conferences in the U.S., he also travels the world planting seeds of literary love (Singapore, Brazil, Italy, France, Shanghai, etc.). Recently, Alexander led a delegation of 20 writers and activists to Ghana, where they delivered books, built a library, and provided literacy professional development to 300 teachers, as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an International literacy program he co-founded.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel adaptation is a huge win in my opinion. In the original version, the creativity with spacing the verse on the page was effective in using white space and font size to add drama to the narrative. In this new version, the graphics enhance the verse and push it to a new level. I know not everyone agrees with me. As someone who scores highly on the visual learning scale, the combination of verse and graphics makes for a tremendous reading experience. Can't wait to see 'Booked' in its graphic form!

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect when I saw this graphic novel in my local book store. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is the graphic novelization of his Newberry Medal award winning novel of the same name. Written in a combination of free verse and prose, it tells the story of basketball playing twins, Josh and Jordan Bell, stars of their junior high basketball team. The story is told by Josh, AKA Filthy McNasty. Josh leads from the front and Jordan is the dribbler, free throw shooter.

Their dad is an ex-basketball player, had a great career in Italy but had to retire when he injured his knee. He attends every game, getting almost too involved. Their mother is an assistant principal in their high school and rules the roost.

The closeness of the two brothers is tested severely when Jordan falls for a new girl in school; a pulchritudinous beauty in tight jeans and pink Reeboks. Josh will now find himself without his constant companion, the person he goes to to sound out his fears, his desires.

Compounding this stress is the health of Dad, who refuses to go see a doctor even under pressure from Mom. She worries about his high blood pressure, possible heart problems.

Kwame Alexander presents this story wonderfully; emotionally, sensitively. The penwork of David Anyabwile adds to the impact of the story; his drawings are crisp, lifelike, filled with action. The story flows, strikes at your core, is just excellent. (4.5 stars)

[Jolene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dawud Anyabwile's illustrations are beautiful, so I hate to say it, but I think I missed out by reading the graphic novel rather than the original verse structure. I didn't have a sense of the individual poems--of where they started and ended and how they look on the page--so I think some of the meaning was lost.

In any case, this is a compelling story about being a teammate and a brother. It's a go-to recommendation for students who don't consider themselves readers, especially if they play sports. They always want to go on to the sequel. What more can you ask for from a YA read?

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Good YA book written in the style of a poem.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

I needed a sports book for a reading challenge and figured this would be an easy one. It hit more emotionally than I thought and beyond my love for the game of basketball. Well written and illustrated.

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please see my 5 star review of the original novel in verse here Although I enjoyed this version of Alexander's story it just didn't read as a graphic novel at all to me. This takes nothing from Anyabwile's illustrations and limited colour palette which are excellent but I think that the structure of the poems themselves meant that there was little space room for creative play with regards to pace frame and spread. I realise that for many readers the illustrative element of the novel could be the hook that they need and want but this is my own personal opinion. Would I have it in the classroom? Of course! Do I prefer the original? I do.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very interested in reading this, because I used the original version extensively with classes in the library. I displayed selected passages on the whiteboard wall, and had student volunteers read some aloud. Somehow, in the translation to graphic novel, it felt to me like something was lost rather than gained. The first chapter seemed fantastic to me, with the way the illustrations were interspersed with the words, and I know that the book will be very popular, but the book felt longer to me, even though both versions are the same words.

[Bethany Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Kwame. I've read each of his books at least 5 times aloud, so I knew the story-line of this. The graphic novel is almost identical in text, just with illustrations throughout. I wouldn't recommend reading it if you've already read the regular version. I found that the original version is great for readers with low-motivation, as it's written in verse. So, this version must be for readers VERY little motivation.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

at first i thought i would not like this book but i ended up liking it and finished it in 5 or 3 days and its sad that there dad died at the end but at least Joshua and Jordan forgave each other and Alexis aka miss sweet tea made up with Joshua

[Peyton Walker]

I love this book it has a lot of emotion and you will cry I know it. It is really good and emotional.

[Emily Holladay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this book would be good based on how often I had seen it recommended, but dang - I didn’t know I’d be in tears at the end. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

[Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-crafted graphic version of Alexander’s YA novel in verse form centred on a junior High School basketball star, his twin brother and team co-star, as they negotiate parental expectations, shifting relationships, brotherly rivalry, sport obsession, family tension, and profound set-back. Alexander shifts his verse form from, in places, tight patterns and rhythms to spoken word, rap inflected verse to free text. Alexander also makes his points, for the most part, without being too didactic – but that’s the most part and it might have benefitted from some exposition on the father’s story that is so central to the book: we’re left to infer (and it’s blunt) which undermines to a degree the comprehension of why he acts as he does.

It’s a tale of two boys on the verge of their teenage years, well drawn by Anyabwile in strong monochrome with good use of (basketball) orange throughout. Although this is perhaps at the expense of the poetics of Alexander's writing. The recent resurgence in YA and older children’s fiction has had a strong fantasy flavour to it, but there is also a rich set of sport-liked stories, and a small number of verse novels with it. This is a fine example of how good they could be.

[Lindsay Billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwame Alexander has such a gift with words and verse. This is an amazing graphic adaptation of his verse novel—I enjoyed it immensely! It’s a powerful depiction for teens of the pressures of sports, complicated nature of families, and the strength it takes to keep loving, even when grief feels like it might swallow you whole.

[Karissa Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was not ready for a kids graphic novel to make me sob, but boy did I.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly cannot tell which I liked better, the novel in verse or this graphic novel in verse. I never reviewed the version that is told in verse, so I will do it here with this review.

Josh and his twin Jordan (JB) are star basketball players on their eighth grade team. Their dad almost had a career himself in basketball, took his team to the European league, but never made it to the NBA. He missed his chance after electing not to have surgery after getting injured. Now he lives his basketball dreams through his twin sons.

Josh and JB are as different as can be, but they both love the same sport. Things begin to change when JB meets a girl and the two don't hang out as much. And their father is sick but refuses to see a doctor, instead laughing it off and eating as much salty or fried food as he can.

One thing this book addresses on a sort of subconscious level is mortality. Their father appears to be scared of doctors, afraid of surgeries. This could be because of what happened to his own father. Maybe it will serve as a lesson to his own children, to not be afraid, to do things differently. Or maybe history will repeat itself for the third time.

This graphic novel is also told in verse and the images provided adds another layer of storytelling. While reading I kept interrupting myself because I would get an idea for how to use layouts in the classroom. And considering only three colors are used, black white and orange, this is an accomplishment. Dawud Anyabwile is extremely talented. I need to get this book, both versions but especially this one, into my classroom!

[Rennai · Rating 3 out of 5]

We bought this for our secondary school library because we are always after basketball-based books, especially for our more reluctant readers. I have not read the novels but note that many reviewers preferred the graphic novel as they feel the images brought the story to life more for them. On the other hand, some felt that the verse/free verse lost impact without the formatting of the novel. This was a 3 and a half stars from me.
The story is set in the USA and is told from Josh's point of view. He and his identical twin brother (Jordan) are talented basketball players (around 13 years old) and have been taught all things basketball from their day who played at the top level before he had to retire. Things are going really well for the boys until Jordan gets a girlfriend and the relationship between the boys changes. Along the way, it becomes apparent that their father has a health condition that he won't seek treatment for.
I liked the verse (only the basketball action is in verse) and the author gets the sense of motion going well. I did get confused at times by who was saying what, because of the formatting of the text. It swaps between first and third person narration and this may also confuse some readers. The illustrations are effective and really help tell the story.
I am hoping it will be a popular book in our library and that a sequel graphic novel will follow.

[Sara Riggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I know what all the fuss was about when several of my students kept checking it out at our school library. This is my first time reading a graphic novel, and I picked a good one. I love how the illustrator made the words (written in verse) as part of the illustrations. The Crossover is an excellent read for middle school readers, especially those who love basketball. I feel this novel is very relatable to boys that have a sibling close in age, as the main character has a twin brother. It is also a fast read, which is why I would recommend it to reluctant readers, also. I am a big fan of Kwame Alexander, and this novel did not disappoint. As one of my students said, now I "have to read Rebound," the prequel to The Crossover.

[Emily Cottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh Bell and his twin Jordan are the stars of the basketball team. They have a great relationship with their dad, and they both do pretty well in school. All seems right in Josh's world until Jordan gets a girlfriend and Josh is suddenly left out. His anger surfaces, jeopardizing his basketball season, and his dad, a former professional basketball player, starts showing terrifying signs of a heart condition.

I LOVED this book. I'm not a huge graphic novel person, so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I just thought it was fantastic in every way. The art. The story. The rhyme--several parts of the book are written almost like a rap, which was my absolute favorite part. Highly recommended for sports fans.

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already fell in love with the original The Crossover book told in verse. In fact, I love all Kwamee Alexander’s books and knew that I’d love this graphic novel, too. I was right. While Alexander’s writing was all I needed to mentally visualize the story on my own, I did love the illustrations to literally bring it to life on the page. Told only in the colors of basketball (orange, black, white and all the shades in between), the story and feelings emerge across the page just as they did in my mind: lessons on life, on love, on family and on the legacy we leave behind. I loved pairing this graphic version with the verse version and can’t wait to share it with young readers, too.

[Leigh Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Crossover as a graphic novel will bring new readers to a beautiful story. I loved the illustrations in the GN because they create a more personal relationship between the reader and the characters. However, I think the poetry, with the forms, line breaks, and white space, becomes lost in the format of the graphic novel. Depending on what the reader wants, (poems or illustrations) Alexander now has an answer for both! I can't wait to share this with my students!

[Rachel Stine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book originally in 2020 during lockdown but I read the original version not the graphic novel. both are excellent books but this one strikes me as I don’t want to say better… I do think it’s more interesting. I think it would also be easier to get kids to read this book because of the illustrations then the original one. I hate the way we teach kids about poetry turns them off from it so much. Books like this are exactly what we need.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwame Alexander's writing is breathtaking. This is such a beautiful story about family and being a basketball player that was exciting, heart-warming and heart-wrenching all at the same time. I loved the family dynamics and how sibling relationship was portrayed. Dawud Anyabwile's illustrations are also beautiful and perfectly fits to the story. I recommend.

[Tricia Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite graphic novels I have ever read. I loved the relationship between brothers as it was depicted here. As a black father, I warmed my heart to see a present, human black father in youth literature. I loved the basketball, music, and pop culture references. The themes of family, the poetry, and the basketball/life rules that could help many youth.

[Silver with an A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a rec from my daughter so we can watch the new Disney series together. I enjoyed reading this book. I didnt love the style of writing but at some parts it did make the story more interesting. I recommend this book, specifically the graphic novel as I appreciated having a visual of the characters as the author saw them.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel version of The Crossover was so mesmerizing that I read it cover to cover as if I didn’t already know the story. The color and graphics add SO much to the story. So very well done.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story made even better.

[Esther Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look out for my review on Good Comics for Kids. http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/

[Katie Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liked this format and did not expect the ending.

[Ashley Wendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection

I already thought The Crossover was an amazing story in verse, but getting the verse and the illustrations just brings it all to life.

[vidula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! The first half of the book was a little underwhelming, I felt like the plot was a little slow, but the second half (particularly the ending) definitely made up for it.