The Crossover is part of a genre called novel in verse or verse novel. Verse novels are books that tell the story in narrative poetry. The quick, fast–paced, sometimes rhythmic verses make them approachable for all readers, and an excellent choice to highlight during National Poetry Month.

Why is the crossover a poem?

Alexander started writing poems at age 12 and wrote one in college for the woman he later married, so perhaps it’s no surprise that this book, which took him five years to write, contains a love story. He wrote The Crossover in verse because he thought poetry was the best medium to capture basketball.

What reading level is the crossover?

Interest LevelReading LevelWord CountGrades 4 – 8Grades 3 – 816888