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The Crossover

This article is about the 2014 children's book by Kwamo Alexander. For similarly named topics, see Crossover (disambiguation).
The Crossover
AuthorKwame Alexander
LanguageEnglish
SeriesCrossover Series
Published2014
PublisherHMH Books for Young Readers
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint, e-book, audiobook
Pages251 pages
AwardsNewbery Medal[1]
Coretta Scott King Award Honor
ISBN0544107713
OCLC842316307
LC ClassPZ7.5.A44 Cr 201
Preceded byRebound 

The Crossover is a 2014 children's book by American author Kwame Alexander and the winner of the 2015 Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award Honor.[2] The book, which is told entirely through verse, was first published in the United States in hardback on March 18, 2014, through HMH Books for Young Readers.

Reception

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Critical reception for The Crossover has been positive. According to Kirkus Reviews, "Poet Alexander deftly reveals the power of the format to pack an emotional punch."[3] In Booklist, Gail Bush called The Crossover "a rare verse novel that is fundamentally poetic rather than using this writing trend as a device."[4] Writing for the Washington Post, Mary Quattlebaum said Alexander was "at the top of his poetic game in this taut, complex tale of the crossover from brash, vulnerable boy to young adult."[5] Poet Cornelius Eady wrote in The New York Times, "The biggest surprise of 'The Crossover' is that, for all the bells and whistles of a young man's game, it is most boldly and certainly a book about tenderness."[6] According to Katrina Hedeen in The Horn Book Magazine, "Alexander brings the novel-in-verse format to a fresh audience with this massively appealing package for reluctant readers, athletes especially."[7] Writing for School Library Journal, Kiera Parrott said, "Alexander has crafted a story that vibrates with energy and heart and begs to be read aloud. A slam dunk."[8] The book has been used in many school curriculums, such as the controversial Wit and Wisdom.[citation needed]

Television adaptation

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Main article: The Crossover (TV series)

In March 2021, it was announced that Disney+ had given a pilot order to a television adaptation of the book. Alexander and Damani Johnson will write the pilot and George Tillman Jr. will direct.[9] In May 2021, it was announced that Jalyn Hall and Amir O'Neil were set to star in the pilot.[10] In June 2021, it was announced that Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle, Skyla I'lece, Deja Monique Cruz and Trevor Raine Bush joined the cast for the pilot.[11] In February 2022, it was announced that Daveed Diggs would narrate the series.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Flood, Toni (3 February 2015). "Kwame Alexander slam dunks Newbery medal with basketball tale The Crossover". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  2. ^ Barron, Christina (February 2, 2015). "Kwame Alexander wins Newbery Medal". Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  3. ^ "THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander". Kirkus Reviews. December 18, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  4. ^ Bush, Gail (March 15, 2014). "Crossover, by Kwame Alexander". Booklist. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  5. ^ Quattlebaum, Mary (April 1, 2014). "'The Crossover,' by Kwame Alexander". Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  6. ^ Eady, Cornelius (May 9, 2014). "'The Crossover,' by Kwame Alexander". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  7. ^ "Reviews of the 2015 Newbery Award winners". The Horn Book Magazine. February 2, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  8. ^ "SLJ Reviews of 2015 Youth Media Award-Winning and Honor Books". School Library Journal. February 2, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 19, 2021). "'The Crossover' Pilot Based On Kwame Alexander's Book Ordered By Disney+; George Tillman Jr. To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (May 21, 2021). "'The Crossover': Jalyn Hall & Amir O'Neil To Star In Disney+ Pilot Based On Kwame Alexander Book". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  11. ^ Petski, Denise (June 9, 2021). "'The Crossover': Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle Among 5 Cast In Disney+ Pilot Based On Kwame Alexander Book". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  12. ^ White, Peter (February 7, 2022). "Daveed Diggs To Narrate Disney+ Basketball Series 'The Crossover'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
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Awards
Preceded by Newbery Medal
2015 		Succeeded by