March Madness and The Newbery Award

The Newbery Medal is awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. This year the award went to Kwame Alexander for The Crossover.  While Kwame Alexander uses basketball as a hook to interest readers, The Crossover is about so much more.  It’s about family, brothers, identity, the consequences of our actions, and family illness. But one of my favorite things about this book is that it is told in verse! Once you have finished watching The Final Four, grab The Crossover (and a box of
tissues) and enjoy the 2015 Newbery Award Winner. Recommended for grade 5 and above.


Here is an interview with Kwame Alexander as he talks about The Crossover and writing:

Poet’s novel turns young sports lovers into book lovers