Rebound

Twelve-year-old Charlie Bell struggles with grief after losing his father in 1988. During a challenging summer with his grandparents in Washington D.C., he discovers basketball and begins to find his way forward. Written in verse, this prequel to The Crossover follows Charlie (who will later become Chuck "Da Man" Bell) as he navigates family relationships, friendship, and first love. The story incorporates comic-style illustrations that bring Charlie's superhero daydreams to life. The fast-paced narrative shifts between Charlie's internal world and his experiences on the basketball court, where he learns about discipline and perseverance from his cousin Roxie. Through basketball and family support, Charlie begins to process his loss and find his own path. This coming-of-age story explores themes of grief, resilience, and self-discovery while celebrating the transformative power of sports and family bonds. The verse format echoes the rhythm and movement of basketball itself.

Readers describe Rebound as a strong prequel to The Crossover that stands on its own merits. The graphic novel segments, basketball action, and exploration of grief resonate with both middle-grade students and adults. Likes: - Comic sequences enhance the storytelling - Authentic portrayal of processing loss - Accessible poetry format for reluctant readers - Strong father-son relationship themes - Engaging basketball scenes Dislikes: - Some find the pacing slower than The Crossover - A few readers note it takes time to adjust to the verse format - Minor complaints about predictable plot elements Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (1,100+ ratings) Common reader comments: "The mix of comics and verse kept my student engaged" - Teacher on Amazon "Helped my son process his own grief" - Parent reviewer "Not quite as powerful as The Crossover but still moving" - Goodreads user

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🏀 Author Kwame Alexander drew inspiration from his own childhood experiences growing up in 1980s Virginia, including his relationship with his father and his journey with basketball. 📚 The book is written entirely in verse (poetry), making it accessible to reluctant readers while tackling complex themes of loss, family, and personal growth. 🎵 Each section of the book is named after a jazz song, reflecting the musical influences in the main character Chuck's family and the author's own love of jazz. 🏆 Rebound is a prequel to Alexander's Newbery Medal-winning book The Crossover, telling the story of Josh and Jordan Bell's father when he was a young teen. 🖼️ The graphic novel elements integrated throughout the book were illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile, who has worked on projects for Cartoon Network and Nike.