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 analysis, and fluency.
Aligned to a research-based scope and sequence, The Crossover Literacy provides:
Support for grade-appropriate literacy skill development
Scaffolds to address students’ needs
Application and reinforcement of previously taught skills
Opportunities to build background knowledge through paired nonfiction articles
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, and 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. Classroom experiences can make the difference between kids who love to read and kids who read to get by.
Designed to nurture literacy growth without sacrificing deep engagement and authentic whole-book experiences.
Dive into stories focused on the 6 main characters! Engaging stories told from each character’s point of view help students consider how perspective shapes a story, and build deeper understanding across texts. Each character has 2 chapter books written from their perspective per grade-level collection (of 12 books).
These authentic trade-style chapter books feature realistic, multidimensional characters and storylines, all while helping students develop the stamina required for learning higher-level literacy skills like the ability to connect ideas across longer texts.
Books featuring engaging topics related to friendship, family life, sports, school, and more.
Jordan may be the quieter of the Bell twins, but if there’s a chance to make a ridiculous bet, he’ll suddenly have plenty to say.
Ben has something to prove to just about everyone, but Meems and Biggie, his grandparents, are the only ones whose approval really matters.
Mia rocks a sporty “fit” with her own bold style. She’s smart, loyal, and always aiming high.
Vondie has a joke for just about everything, especially when his friends need one.
April is always chasing a new idea, goal, or adventure. Her journal, though? That never leaves her side.
Josh loves words almost as much as basketball…he is the true poet of the group on and off the court.
