This semester, you have been a part of the One Novel, Once Community Book Study on The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. Please read through this lesson over theme and characterization. At the end of the lesson, you see that there are multiple Custom Assessments for a quick, portfolio, and discussion grade. Please note that you do not need to enter any information for these assessments. Your teacher will enter all grades into this area based on work completed in One Novel
Points Available:
Discussion - 19 points
Quiz - 6 points
Quick Check - 8 points
Portfolio - 1- points
Theme is the central idea or message of a story, while characterization refers to the way an author presents and develops the characters in a story. In The Crossover, Kwame Alexander explores themes such as family, love, loss, and identity through the vivid and relatable characters he creates.
One of the main themes in The Crossover is family, particularly the relationship between fathers and sons. The novel follows the relationship between Josh Bell, also known as Filthy McNasty, and his father, Chuck Bell. Through the characterization of these two characters, Alexander delves into the complexities of their bond, highlighting moments of tension, understanding, and love.
Another theme in the novel is love, both romantic and familial. Josh navigates feelings for his crush, his basketball skills, and the love he has for his family. Through the character development of Josh, Alexander captures the rollercoaster of emotions that come with adolescence and young love.
Loss is also a theme that is central to the story, as the Bell family grapples with the sudden illness of their mother. Through the characters of Josh and his brother JB, Alexander portrays the grieving process and the different ways in which individuals cope with loss.
Lastly, identity is a theme that runs throughout the novel, as Josh struggles to find his place within his family, on the basketball court, and in the world. Alexander carefully crafts characters that are multi-dimensional and relatable, allowing readers to see themselves and their own struggles reflected in the story.
By exploring these themes through rich and authentic characterization, Kwame Alexander brings The Crossover to life and invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and relationships. So, get ready to dive deeper into this novel and uncover even more layers of meaning with the following assessments.