https://archive.org/download/TheCrossover/The%20Crossover.mp3

In this episode, we discuss the 2015 Newbery Medal winner, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. This coming-of-age story is told from the perspective of 12 year old (almost 13 year old) Josh Bell who plays basketball on his junior high school team with his twin brother, Jordan (who goes by JB). This book takes us on a heartwarming journey as Josh navigates the challenges that adolescence passes to him. Author Kwame Alexander teaches the reader through basketball, schoolwork, brotherhood and family that the word “crossover” has more than one definition.

Show notes:

• Leah is back in the Midwest!

• L&L share their NYC experience of finding “Writers House”

• Lauren finally got a library card!

• Mandalay shares her recent acquisition, and answers the question we’ve all been asking, “Of what do stuffed animals dream?”

• There is a random “blooper beep” at 7:05. Sorry about that!

• “For the Love of Books!” The Team discuss their current book related interests!

• Mandalay shares some interesting book news including the 2017 Newbery and Caldecott winners!

• “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” Mandalay would highly disagree with that!

• Benji’s Review of The Crossover

• Kwame Alexander: the Master of the Dictionary!

• “Pulchritudinous” – Look it up in the dictionary. You’ll be glad you did!

• The Team share their attachment to the fictional Bell family.

• “Little Miss Sweet Tea”  – An innocent nickname or an offensive slight?

• Mr. Bell’s “Basketball Rules” and the reality of loss.

• Should children be exposed to literature that deals with death?

• The Team compare The Crossover to the Newbery Honor books: El Deafo and Brown Girl Dreaming

• Leah and Lauren congratulate Mandalay for finishing her second Newbery book!

• Lauren describes “stamina” to Mandalay and reveals that she also has a handicap when it comes to reading.

• Leah and Lauren reveal why they chose their next Newbery book to review and why they believe Mandalay has a good chance of finishing this book as well!

• The Team plead with their listeners to give them positive reviews and share their content across all social media! We need affirmation!

Related links:

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/216156/someday-someday-maybe-by-lauren-graham/9780345532763/

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/541241/talking-as-fast-as-i-can-by-lauren-graham/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4834206/

https://www.ranchoobiwan.org/

http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal

http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1061051657?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

http://kwamealexander.com/

http://tolkienprofessor.com/                                                                                                                          Check out the “Michael Drout Lecture”at http://tolkienprofessor.com/lectures/bonus/

Intro Music: “Feeling Good” by Royalty Free Copyright Music

Ending Music: “Ukulele” by Royalty Free Music from Bensound