Alternating Points of View:
Dive into stories focused on each of the 6 main characters! Each character has 2 chapter books written from their perspective per each grade-level series (of 12 books).
A celebrated author brings his literary prowess into the classroom, combining explicit instruction with fast-break stories that will engage and delight. The Crossover Literacy builds serious reading swagger while simultaneously strengthening literacy skills.
Kwame Alexander brings the prequel to his Newbery Award-winning novel The Crossover exclusively to grade 3–5 classrooms with 36 highly engaging, relevant, relatable chapter books that explore the beloved Crossover universe in the upper elementary years. The Crossover Literacy offers realistic, multidimensional storytelling while providing essential exposure to grade-level whole books alongside explicit instruction in comprehension, phonics, vocabulary and word study, and fluency.
Students in grades 3-5 are at a crossroads—literacy demands start to speed up. Classroom literacy instruction moves beyond foundational skill development, reading across disciplines requires more advanced comprehension skills, text complexity increases, state testing begins. All at an age when students are gaining the independence and maturity to begin to define themselves and their academic interests. This is where students begin to build their reading identity, where it becomes harder to catch up if they haven’t already, where classroom experiences can make the difference between kids who love to read and kids who ready to get by.
Designed to nurture literacy growth without sacrificing deep engagement and authentic whole-book experiences.
Dive into stories focused on each of the 6 main characters! Each character has 2 chapter books written from their perspective per each grade-level series (of 12 books).
Some stories unfold in paragraphs. Others in powerful lines. The Crossover Literacy includes an intentional mix of prose and verse (with at least 4 books written in verse per each grade’s collection), providing beneficial exposure and opportunities for students to expand their experiences beyond narrative fiction.
Josh is equally book-smart and street-smart. He excels at multiple sports and in school but says playing hoops is his claim to fame. Josh has a lyrical tone and loves words and language. His favorite subject is English. He has locs and is a half of an inch taller than Jordan.
Jordan is a baller who loves to bet, no matter how silly, and likes pranks. Obsessed with basketball (his only sport) and loves Michael Jordan. Quieter and more reserved than Josh, feels his game on the court speaks for him. School is more of a struggle for Jordan than Josh, who helps him out sometimes. Jordan always has headphones and a basketball.
Vondie is a gentle giant—taller than the rest of the kids. He plays basketball but happy to derail practice with laughs and arguments. Feels torn between the twins during disagreements and acts as the deciding vote. He is easy going, loyal, kind, intelligent, and brings a calm to the group, always diffusing situations with a laugh. Speaks in compliments, warm humor and truths.
April is a social butterfly, full of dreams and goals, driven to succeed. She loves books, writing, is in a reading club, and she always has her journal with her. She does not play on a sports team, but she does take swimming classes (with Josh). April loves her family and friends, but is not close to Mia (sometimes adversarial, but not adversaries).
Mia is confident and excels on the court. Off the court, she uses her tough exterior to hide insecurities. She’s smart, stubborn, loyal, and unapologetically herself. She is constantly pushing herself to improve athletically, educationally, and emotionally.
Ben is as good at basketball as the twins and has committed himself to besting them at Summer League to prove he is the best (he holds a grudge!). He has a chip on his shoulder since his parents died, swearing the world is out to get him. When he isn’t on the court, he can be found helping his grandparents to make them proud. He adores his grandmother.
The challenge isn’t choosing between skill development and whole-book reading. It’s making both possible. The Crossover Literacy is more than a collection of incredibly engaging books: each grade-level collection is accompanied by a Teacher’s Guide with lessons designed to meet the needs of small groups or whole class supplemental instruction.
Aligned to a research-based scope and sequence, the lessons support grade-appropriate literacy skill development and provide crucial scaffolds to address students’ needs.
Choose one of four Instructional Pathways that support your students’ needs.
Lessons provide:
Explicit skills instruction in Phonics, Vocabulary and Word Study, Fluency, and Comprehension, with opportunities for application and reinforcement in relevant and relatable books
Grade-level books and nonfiction articles appropriate for every kid in your class with scaffolded instruction to meet students at different levels of ability throughout their 3-5 journey.
