
Age rating and parents' guide:The Crossover
by Kwame Alexander
Ages 12–14
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is best for children aged 12–14. It has no violence, nothing scary, a little romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Family health crisis.
Basketball twins Josh and Jordan face rivalry, family change, and grief through energetic verse.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- None
- Romance
- Mild
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Family health crisis
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Novel in verse
- A steady start that picks up quickly
- Mostly text
- Emotionally light
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Great for kids who like
- Sports
Reading mood
- Thoughtful
- Lyrical
Good to talk about
- Family
- Emotions & empathy
Books like The Crossover
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