Item #1:



Criteria for success (1 point for each)

My response the all parts of the prompt includes:

a main idea topic sentence using TTQA (Turn the Question Around) and a claim
at least 1-2 pieces of evidence (direct quotes or summarized events) from The Crossover
an analysis or explanation of how the evidence supports the main idea
a concluding sentence
proper mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and clarity); parenthetical citations (author's last name, page #)


In paragraph form, respond to 1 of the short answer prompts below. Be sure to proofread using the Criteria for Success above before submitting.

Option #1: Write 5-7 sentences describing your experience of reading “Warm-Up.” Did you feel like you were reading poetry or a story, or both? What qualities stood out to you as you read this section?

Option #2: In 5-7 sentences, explain who you believe Kwame Alexander’s target audience for The Crossover is. Do you think the style of the novel appeals to his target audience? Why or why not? Use one piece of text evidence from the “Warm-Up” or “First Quarter” sections of the novel to support your answer.

As I was reading "Warm-Up," I felt like I was reading both poetry and a story. The format of the text, with its short, rhythmic lines, made it feel like poetry, while the content and narrative structure made it feel like a story. One quality that stood out to me was the use of basketball imagery and vocabulary throughout the section. The way the author incorporated basketball terminology into the narrative added a unique and engaging element to the story. For example, when Josh talks about his moves on the court, it felt like I was right there with him, dribbling the ball and making plays. This use of basketball language not only made the story more interesting, but also highlighted the central theme of the novel. Overall, the combination of poetic language and narrative storytelling in "Warm-Up" made for a compelling reading experience.

I believe Kwame Alexander's target audience for The Crossover is young readers, particularly middle schoolers and teenagers. The style of the novel, with its fast-paced and dynamic narrative, is likely to appeal to this target audience. The use of basketball as a central theme is also likely to resonate with young readers who are interested in sports. One piece of text evidence that supports this is found in the "First Quarter" section of the novel. In this section, the author uses basketball terms and descriptions to convey the action on the court. For example, when Josh describes his crossover move, he says, "I jammed on my brakes, stutter-stepped, rocked him, crossed over, and went Ooo-weee into my routine..." (Alexander 32). This kind of vivid and energetic language is likely to capture the attention of young readers who are familiar with or interested in basketball. Overall, the style and content of The Crossover make it an appealing read for the target audience.

could u make it smaller

Certainly! Here is a shorter version of the response:

In reading "Warm-Up," I felt like I was experiencing both poetry and a story. The format of the text felt like poetry with its rhythmic lines, while the content and narrative structure made it feel like a story. One quality that stood out was the use of basketball imagery and vocabulary, which added an engaging element to the story. This use of basketball language highlighted the central theme of the novel. Overall, the combination of poetic language and narrative storytelling in "Warm-Up" made for a compelling reading experience.

I believe Kwame Alexander's target audience for The Crossover is young readers, particularly middle schoolers and teenagers. The fast-paced and dynamic style of the novel is likely to appeal to this audience. The use of basketball as a central theme is also likely to resonate with young readers interested in sports. One piece of text evidence supporting this is when Josh describes his crossover move, using vivid and energetic language that captures the attention of basketball-savvy readers. Overall, The Crossover's style and content make it appealing to its target audience.