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.
Twin brothers Josh and Jordan are stars on the basketball court, pushed and coached by their father, a former professional player. But as junior high progresses, their unbreakable bond starts to fray when Jordan gets a girlfriend and their father's health begins to decline. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.
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
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.
Ages 12–14
Brown Girl Dreaming
by Jacqueline Woodson
Written in vivid, accessible free verse, this memoir follows Jacqueline Woodson as she grows up in South Carolina and New York during the 1960s and 1970s. She navigates the lingering shadow of Jim Crow laws, deep family bonds, and the challenge of learning to read when words do not come easily. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.
Ages 9–14
Booked
by Kwame Alexander
Twelve-year-old Nick Hall loves soccer and dreams of playing professionally, but life off the pitch suddenly gets complicated. Between his parents' impending separation, dealing with school bullies, and trying to impress a girl, he feels completely overwhelmed. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
Ages 9–14
Travel Team
by Mike Lupica
Danny Walker loves basketball more than anything and has natural talent, but he gets cut from the travel team simply because he is too short. Devastated, Danny gets an unexpected second chance when his estranged father—a former local basketball star—forms a new squad for the kids who were left behind. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
Ages 12–14
The War That Saved My Life
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room London flat because her cruel mother is ashamed of her clubfoot. When children are evacuated to the countryside during World War II, Ada sneaks away with her little brother Jamie. In a quiet seaside village, they are taken in by Susan Smith, a reluctant guardian dealing with her own grief. Ada learns to ride a pony, read, and trust adults for the first time. It is an emotional, empowering story about resilience and found family.
Ages 9–13
Asha & the Spirit Bird
by Jasbinder Bilan
Living in the foothills of the Himalayas, Asha worries when money stops arriving from her father in the city. When a ruthless moneylender threatens to take their family home, Asha sets off on a dangerous trek across the mountains to find him, accompanied by her best friend Jeevan. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.
Ages 12–14
The King of Nothing
by Nathanael Lessore
Anton is the undisputed king of his crew, spending his days mocking others and playing the part of the untouchable cool kid. But when an unexpected mishap at a school fair completely shatters his tough exterior, his friends turn on him and his social status evaporates overnight. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.
A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.