The Crossover discussion

Hi Everyone!

What did you think about the book?
How did you feel about the book?

My initial thoughts about this book were that I could totally relate to it. I've played basketball my whole life. I'm a middle school teacher/basketball coach. I loved how this novel was written in verse form. There were parts (especially towards the end) that made me emotional. I could tell that there was a very strong bond between these twin boys. I would recommend this book to my students because I feel like a lot of them could relate to the characters & experiences in it.

I listened to the audiotext, rather than reading the hard print - so I was surprised by the free-style poetic nature of the text. In fact, at first I was waiting for it to turn into regular paragraphs, and when it never did, I was captivated and pleasantly surprised!

Marlena wrote: "I also liked the focus on brotherhood. My parents always told my sister and I to get along because one day, it would just be us. I think the relationship you have with siblings is paramount, and ..."

Yes - it was definitely a tight-knit family. You could really tell that the parents loved the boys and that the boys loved each other and their parents.

Megan, you should totally pick up a copy of this book and look at how the verses are written out. They are different fonts that are used. They are used in a way that makes them fun to read.

Meghan - that's really neat! I will! And I would encourage everyone to listen to the audiotext -the way the narrator reads the story is mesmorizing. He turns it into a rap form and gives Filthy such a unique voice!

Marlena wrote: "I also liked the focus on brotherhood. My parents always told my sister and I to get along because one day, it would just be us. I think the relationship you have with siblings is paramount, and ..."

I totally agree with this Marlena. There was a huge focus on brotherhood. My parents told my brother & I similar things when we were growing up.

Marlena wrote: "Meghan wrote: "Megan, you should totally pick up a copy of this book and look at how the verses are written out. They are different fonts that are used. They are used in a way that makes them fun..."

Yes! The quarter division of the sections of this novel were so cool! Totally matching it up with basketball terminology.

There was a lot of foreshadowing, I felt, that something was going to happen to Filthy's dad. Did anyone else pick up on those clues? Or have any predictions early on?

Yes, I agree with you. The verses where they were texts from Dad set the focus on Dad. The free throws after dinner with dad, etc.

Marlena wrote: "I also liked the focus on brotherhood. My parents always told my sister and I to get along because one day, it would just be us. I think the relationship you have with siblings is paramount, and ..."
My parents did this for me and my sister too. They didn't want to have to be re referees anymore of our fighting. They wanted us to be able to work it out.

I love the poetry style of the book. It was really engaging and as soon as I started reading it, I was pretty hooked.

Marlena wrote: "Megan wrote: "There was a lot of foreshadowing, I felt, that something was going to happen to Filthy's dad. Did anyone else pick up on those clues? Or have any predictions early on?"

Yes, I felt t..."

The Questions scene, in the hospital, where Filthy and his dad got all their feelings and emotions out through questioning was particularly powerful.

Do you guys think that students (other than those who know a lot about basketball) would be into this kind of story? I think that it would draw a lot of the "sports" kids, but I was wondering what other people thought about other kinds of students?

Megan wrote: "Meghan - that's really neat! I will! And I would encourage everyone to listen to the audiotext -the way the narrator reads the story is mesmorizing. He turns it into a rap form and gives Filthy suc..."
I was thinking that as I was reading it. I will have to check out the audio book.

Megan wrote: "I listened to the audiotext, rather than reading the hard print - so I was surprised by the free-style poetic nature of the text. In fact, at first I was waiting for it to turn into regular paragra..."

The audio version would probably be really interesting to listen to. I'm curious if the narrator was a young person? The reader on the audio I mean.

Kristi wrote: "I love the poetry style of the book. It was really engaging and as soon as I started reading it, I was pretty hooked."

I agree with you Kristi! The style of writing, combined with how it was set up & organized, made for easy reading and it hooked me right away!

Megan wrote: "There was a lot of foreshadowing, I felt, that something was going to happen to Filthy's dad. Did anyone else pick up on those clues? Or have any predictions early on?"
I felt that way through the whole book. I was thinking, I hope something doesn't happen to the dad. I wonder if the mother being the assistant principal will influence the boys. I was really hoping the dad would be okay though. I spent the whole night crying once I finished it. I kept hoping he would recover.

I agree with what you guys are saying about the foreshadowing. I think it would be great to use with the kids because it is so easy for us to pick up on, I think it would make it easier for the students

Rachel wrote: "Megan wrote: "There was a lot of foreshadowing, I felt, that something was going to happen to Filthy's dad. Did anyone else pick up on those clues? Or have any predictions early on?"
I felt that wa..."

This book did make readers feel strong emotions! I agree! It was so sad at the end!

Kristi - the narrator didn't sound like a boy or an extremely young person - probably in his 20s or older; so I had to keep reminding myself that the character was supposed to be in middle school. However, he did have the perfect voice and rhythm to effectively execute the hip-hop style of the verses.

Marlena wrote: "I also liked the focus on brotherhood. My parents always told my sister and I to get along because one day, it would just be us. I think the relationship you have with siblings is paramount, and ..."
I agree. I was told the same thing about my sister by my parents. I am really close with my older sister still but not my younger. It is hard when those feelings for each other fall apart.

I loved all the references to current musicians and athletes. The line "Tupac misses hip-hop," when the dad was explaining if he missed basketball was great.

Megan wrote: "Kristi - the narrator didn't sound like a boy or an extremely young person - probably in his 20s or older; so I had to keep reminding myself that the character was supposed to be in middle school. ..."

I agree. The narrator had the rhythm to create the hip-hop style of the verses.

Marlena wrote: "Meghan wrote: "Do you guys think that students (other than those who know a lot about basketball) would be into this kind of story? I think that it would draw a lot of the "sports" kids, but I was..."

I agree with you Marlena - the cover really suggests sports, while the plot is mostly on friendship and family.

Megan wrote: "Kristi - the narrator didn't sound like a boy or an extremely young person - probably in his 20s or older; so I had to keep reminding myself that the character was supposed to be in middle school. ..."

That would be great to hear. The kids would really enjoy it, I bet. I wish it had been a young person reading it though. I think the students would really connect with that.

Marlena wrote: "Meghan wrote: "Do you guys think that students (other than those who know a lot about basketball) would be into this kind of story? I think that it would draw a lot of the "sports" kids, but I was..."

I wondered if girls would enjoy it. I mean, we are all girls but I wonder if middle school girls would enjoy it or feel like they could relate to it.

I do think most people whether they are into basketball or not would still like it but I also think some people might be turned off, especially if they have negative feelings toward basketball.

There was definitely a big focus on basketball, but I was surprised at the end, it seemed like Filthy's love for basketball was stronger then his love for his dad. I was very shocked that he would choose to go to the game and not go see his dad, but I know that is what his dad would of wanted. Even though this surprised me, it's a good message that everyone has to move on, but still remember.

Kristi wrote: "Marlena wrote: "Meghan wrote: "Do you guys think that students (other than those who know a lot about basketball) would be into this kind of story? I think that it would draw a lot of the "sports"..."

That's what I was thinking. If people don't particularly care for basketball, they might not be inclined to pick up this novel. However, once they got into it, I think that all middle school students would really enjoy it.

Rachel wrote: "There was definitely a big focus on basketball, but I was surprised at the end, it seemed like Filthy's love for basketball was stronger then his love for his dad. I was very shocked that he would ..."

I was shocked too that he would choose to go to the game and not go see his dad. He was probably thinking that's what his dad would have wanted, or a way to mask his emotion.

Rachel wrote: "There was definitely a big focus on basketball, but I was surprised at the end, it seemed like Filthy's love for basketball was stronger then his love for his dad. I was very shocked that he would ..."

Yeah. It's also a good way to "not deal" with feelings but they seemed to have things worked out.

"I wondered if girls would enjoy it. I mean, we are all girls but I wonder if middle school girls would enjoy it or feel like they could relate to it."
I would be very curious to see if girls would like it. It would send a good message though about dating in middle school. Kids are so centered around themselves, it may remind them that their is more to life then girls/boys.

Meghan wrote: "Kristi wrote: "Marlena wrote: "Meghan wrote: "Do you guys think that students (other than those who know a lot about basketball) would be into this kind of story? I think that it would draw a lot ..."

I am excited to read some of it to my kids and try my hip hop out. I really think that just the style of it will engage the kids and I also think it would be a great mentor text for that reason.

Rachel wrote: "There was definitely a big focus on basketball, but I was surprised at the end, it seemed like Filthy's love for basketball was stronger then his love for his dad. I was very shocked that he would ..."

He seemed to use that basketball game as a way to distract himself from what was going on. There was one point where he looked into the stands and saw his brother "burying his head in Sweet Tea"... I'm assuming crying... But Josh didn't seem as emotional. Stoic maybe?

Kristi wrote: "Meghan wrote: "Kristi wrote: "Marlena wrote: "Meghan wrote: "Do you guys think that students (other than those who know a lot about basketball) would be into this kind of story? I think that it wo..."

I think how it's formatted too would be appealing to kids. The fact that the verses are short and easy to read. The storyline was easy to follow.

Marlena wrote: "Do you think this book was deserving of the Newberry?"

Hmmmm... Yes. Honestly though I think a big part of the attraction is that the format is different. I mean, I didn't feel like the root story was different than others I have read. There is a book called "Crank" that has a similar format, well, not similar, more of a journal style but I love when authors take these chances because it really isn't "the norm".

Marlena wrote: "Do you think this book was deserving of the Newberry?"

I think that this novel was deserving of the Newberry medal because it's appealing to lots of young adults. The focus on family was huge. The style in which it was written appeals to lots of young adults. I definitely think it was worthy of the Newberry Medal.

Marlena wrote: "Do you think this book was deserving of the Newberry?"

I haven't read many current YA books until recently, so its hard for me to say...

Meghan:I think how it's formatted too would be appealing to kids. The fact that the verses are short and easy to read. The storyline was easy to follow.

Absolutely. I agree! They won't feel like it is a "novel"

Kristi wrote: "Marlena wrote: "Do you think this book was deserving of the Newberry?"

Hmmmm... Yes. Honestly though I think a big part of the attraction is that the format is different. I mean, I didn't feel li..."
I was thinking it's hard to tell if it is completely worthy because I haven't read the other honored books, but it did take a big chance with the way it was written. I don't think many other authors could put together such catchy rhymes. This book reminds me of the books "Love That Dog," and "Hate that Cat" by Sharon Creech. They don't rhyme as well, but it is in the poem form.

Kristi wrote: "Meghan:I think how it's formatted too would be appealing to kids. The fact that the verses are short and easy to read. The storyline was easy to follow.

Absolutely. I agree! They won't feel like ..."

Yes! So many of my students get turned off from books simply by how they are formatted. They say that they "can't read that many words on each page", etc.

Rachel wrote: "Kristi wrote: "Marlena wrote: "Do you think this book was deserving of the Newberry?"

Hmmmm... Yes. Honestly though I think a big part of the attraction is that the format is different. I mean, I..."

It did take a lot of creativity to write this story in the way it was written. I don't think it would be as engaging for readers if it wasn't in the poetic form with interesting formatting...

What did you think of the approach to the subject of race in the book?

Megan wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Kristi wrote: "Marlena wrote: "Do you think this book was deserving of the Newberry?"

Hmmmm... Yes. Honestly though I think a big part of the attraction is that the format is diffe..."

I agree that it wouldn't be as engaging for readers if it wasn't in the poetic form with interesting formatting. That's what makes it more attractive to readers.

One of the lines that I will probably never forget and I may get a poster made, "your talent will help you win games, but your intelligence will help you win at life." I loved the value the family placed on education even though they definitely LOVED their basketball. I have used this line in my Second and Third Grade classroom and they loved it. I think it could be a great reminder to many students as they go through school no matter what their 'talent' might be.

Rachel wrote: "One of the lines that I will probably never forget and I may get a poster made, "your talent will help you win games, but your intelligence will help you win at life." I loved the value the family ..."

A good precept to tie into "Wonder" another novel a lot of middle school kids are reading.

Rachel wrote: "One of the lines that I will probably never forget and I may get a poster made, "your talent will help you win games, but your intelligence will help you win at life." I loved the value the family ..."

As a teacher and coach, I couldn't agree with this more. Talent helps on the athletic field/court. Intelligence helps with life. Life is so much more than an athletic competition.

Marlena wrote: "Kristi wrote: "What did you think of the approach to the subject of race in the book?"

I honestly didn't think about race as I was reading."

I agree, I didn't think there were many obvious parts that made race stand out. It almost could have been a "cultural generic" book, the way that race was rarely brought up.

I honestly didn't think about race as I was reading."

Yeah, I think it was subtle and not the main focus of the story but it came up a couple of times when the dad is pulled over and sometimes when the mom talked to the boys.

Marlena wrote: "Kristi wrote: "What did you think of the approach to the subject of race in the book?"

I honestly didn't think about race as I was reading."

I think that as I was reading I was more focused on all the basketball "lingo" and how this story heavily promoted family. Race didn't really come up for me either.