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Cover of The Crossover

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.

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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

Dhiraj Bodade

Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on 21 September 2026.

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.

  • Cover of Brown Girl Dreaming

    Ages 12–14

    Brown Girl Dreaming

    by Jacqueline Woodson

    Jacqueline Woodson recalls growing up Black in the 1960s and 1970s, discovering family, identity, history, and her voice through verse.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of Booked

    Ages 9–14

    Booked

    by Kwame Alexander

    Soccer star Nick copes with family change, injury, and a strict teacher while discovering the power of words.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of Travel Team

    Ages 9–14

    Travel Team

    by Mike Lupica

    Cut from an elite team, Danny forms an underdog basketball squad coached by his distant former-professional father.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of The War That Saved My Life

    Ages 12–14

    The War That Saved My Life

    by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

    Ada escapes an abusive home during wartime evacuation and slowly learns trust, independence, and love with her brother Jamie.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of Asha & the Spirit Bird

    Ages 9–13

    Asha & the Spirit Bird

    by Jasbinder Bilan

    Asha's journey through the Himalayan foothills blends family, migration, grief and Indian landscape with magical realism.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of Rules

    Ages 9–14

    Rules

    by Cynthia Lord

    Twelve-year-old Catherine longs for normality while caring for her autistic brother and befriending a nonverbal boy.

    Know moreGet book

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Questions parents ask

Q: What age is The Crossover for?
The Crossover suits children aged 12–14. It is a novel in verse: a steady start that picks up quickly, mostly text.
Q: Is The Crossover appropriate for a 12 year old?
Yes. Bookstaken rates it for ages 12–14. It has no violence, nothing scary, a little romance and no bad language. Worth knowing before reading: Family health crisis.
Q: What should my child read after The Crossover?
Try Brown Girl Dreaming, Booked and Travel Team. They share the same kind of story and suit the same ages.
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