“The court is SIZZLING
My sweat is DRIZZLING
Stop all that quivering
Cuz tonight I’m delivering.”
That’s how Kwame Alexander sets the scene in her new book, “The Crossover,” which has just won the John Newbery Medal for the year’s best children’s book, the Washington Post reports.
“The Crossover” is a young adult novel in verse about a 12-year-old Black boy who not only has skills on the basketball court, but also in rap and rhyme.
“I knew basketball would be the hook, and then I could take them to some places, to some magical places,” Alexander said.
“The Crossover” is about more than just basketball and hip-hop. Through the eyes of 12-year-old Josh and his twin brother, “The Crossover” tells a story about family, growing up, and learning some hard lessons about life.
The Newbery Medal is one of the highest honors any children’s author can receive and Alexander’s recognition is well deserved. He’s written more than a dozen novels including the best-selling “He Said, She Said” in 2013. Even with so many titles under his belt, Alexander is still in shock about his Newbery Medal win.
“I had a feeling that if I won I would be taken to a very different place than I was before,” he said. “No, I know that I will be no good for the next couple of weeks or even months. I will be over the moon.”
Congratulations to the award-winning author!