All tagged Novel in Verse

The Crossover

The Crossover centers around Josh and his twin, Jordan AKA JB, who are two middle schoolers who play basketball, just like their dad.  The family dynamics are spelled out easily, and the interaction between (mainly) the three of them is heartfelt and wonderful.  At its heart, this novel is about a family.  But, yes, it's about basketball too, and relationships, and coming of age.

Long Way Down

There have been two school shootings since I started reading this book.  Two. 

And Long Way Down is a quick and easy read.  However....I put it down after the first school shooting which was by a 12-year-old.  Someone pretty much the same age as my Mini Me.

And then there was an even bigger shooting, more lives lost senselessly.

In Long Way Down, Jason Reynolds tackles gun violence in a different wayโ€”from the point of view of a teenage boy who feels as if he has no other choice but to avenge his brother's senseless death.  It makes sense....and it doesn't.