Scan barcode
tlaynejones's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence
my_sweet_reads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
odurant8's review
5.0
Brilliant. This was the audiobook and the rhythm of the poetry really shines through. Funny, poignant, beautiful.
reganseidler's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
elphaba61's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lovelife1008's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
roseleaf24's review
5.0
Kwame Alexander may be the most gifted author currently writing. This book was amazing. I will admit this one took me a bit longer to get into than his others, primarily due to the 80s rhythm and slang, but that just meant 5 pages instead of instantaneous. And like any good prequel, it has me itching to go back and re-read Crossover. If you haven't read Crossover yet, start there, and do so immediately, then find this one. So. Good.
onemorepageamanda's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bickie's review
3.0
Set in 1988, this prequel to The Crossover takes us back to when the Crossover's twin boys' father was 12 years old and struggling with the sudden death of his own father (natural causes). Charlie/Chuck struggles with how anything can be remotely the same without his father, gets caught up in a bad-choice scheme with his best friend Skinny and Skinny's bad-boy cousin Ivan, and ends up being shipped to Washington, DC, to spend the summer with his paternal grandparents. All he wants to do is sit and read his comic books, but his granddaddy puts him to work around the house and grounds as well as brings him to the Boys and Girls Club where he works part time. Chuck gets to know his cousin Roxie who eventually gets him interested in basketball. Themes: importance of family, choosing your "life team" carefully, continuing to live after a devastating loss. Although it is set in 1988, it feels more like a realistic fiction novel; there are a few period details (roller skating is a big thing, police do not shoot first and ask questions later, no mobile phones), but otherwise, it could be contemporary. Best for ages 10-14.