Rebound

by Kwame Alexander

From the New York Times best-selling author Kwame Alexander comes Rebound, the dynamic prequel to his Newbery Medal–winning novel in verse, The Crossover. 

  • Format: eBook
  • ISBN-13/ EAN: 9781328476630
  • ISBN-10: 1328476634
  • Pages: 416
  • Publication Date: 04/02/2018
  • Carton Quantity: 1
About the Book
About the Author
Excerpts
Reviews
  • About the Book
    From the New York Times best-selling author Kwame Alexander comes Rebound, the dynamic prequel to his Newbery Award–winning novel in verse, The Crossover.  

     

    Before Josh and Jordan Bell were streaking up and down the court, their father was learning his own moves. Chuck Bell takes center stage as readers get a glimpse of his childhood and how he became the jazz music worshiping, basketball star his sons look up to. 

     

    A novel in verse with all the impact and rhythm readers have come to expect from Kwame Alexander, Rebound goes back in time to visit the childhood of Chuck "Da Man" Bell during one pivotal summer when young Charlie is sent to stay with his grandparents where he discovers basketball and learns more about his family's past.

  • About the Author

    Kwame Alexander

    Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and the New York Times best-selling author of more than thirty-five books, including Rebound, the follow-up to his Newbery medal–winning middle grade novel, The Crossover. Some of his other works include Booked, which was longlisted for the National Book Award, The Playbook: 52 Rules to Help You Aim, Shoot, and Score in this Game of Life, Swing, and the picture books Out of Wonder and The Undefeated, which was longlisted for the National Book Award and won the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.He is a regular contributor to NPR's Morning Edition, currently serving as their poet ambassador. He lives with his family in the UK. Visit his website at www.kwamealexander.com or find him on Twitter and Instagram @kwamealexander.

  • Excerpts

    May 28, 1988

    The game is on 

    at the park. 

    The stars are out. 

    It’s close to dark. 

    Hoop Kings 

    SOARing 

             in the SKY 

             so high 

             so fly 

    like they Got Wings 

    (it’s like the blacktop 

    is a boxSPRING) 

    Hey, Charlie, you see what he did with that THING! 

    my best friend, Skinny, yells 

    T 

       W 

           I 

              R 

                  L 

                      I 

                         N 

                             G andWHIRLINGthe ball 

                      so sweet 

    it’s like a bee s t i n g 

    (Ouch!) 

    He just Swished 

    in your Face. 

    Stung you like 

    a can of mace 

    These boys so fly 

    they’re outta SPACE!

    C’mon, Charlie, I got next. Let’s hoop, Skinny says, 

    jumping up from the sidewalk. 

    Nah, I gotta get home for dinner, I lie.

    I used to play H.O.R.S.E.

    against my father, and sometimes I 

    won, but when I tried playing on 

    a team, I’d get too nervous 

    to shoot, too scared of the 

    ball (like the time I 

    missed a pass and 

    got hit up- 

    side the 

    head).

    Sometimes, I wish

    I was a superhero, 

    superfly 

    like Quicksilver 

    speed-racing 

    down the court 

    sleek as a sports car 

    faster than NASCAR, 

    leaving all my sadness 

    in the dust—far, 

    far away 

    from now.

    Wish I could soar 

    score 

    throw down 

    a monster dunk 

    like I was Thor.

    Wish I could elevate 

    my name 

    with game so good 

    it’s hall of fame!

    Wish I could forget 

    all the pain.

    Yeah, that’s what I wish . . .

  • Reviews
    "An eminently satisfying story of family, recovery, and growing into manhood."—Kirkus, STARRED review 

     

    "Librarians who delighted at Crossover’s popularity will be thrilled with this pitch-perfect follow-up...Kwame Alexander is unstoppable."—Booklist, STARRED review 

     

    "As in his previous novels in verse, Alexander shows off his expert command of the format, employing staccato breaks with smooth rhymes that mimic the bounce and flow of the sport."—School Library Journal, STARRED review 

     

    "A story filled with preteen angst, peer pressure, realistic family dynamics, and first romance is elevated to uncommon heights by a visceral exploration of grief and a search for confidence that pays off in spectacular ways."--Horn Book Magazine, STARRED review 

     

    "This book will bounce off of the shelves."—VOYA 

     

    "Alexander's non-rhyming poetry has propulsive, hard-hitting rhythm."—Publishers Weekly 

     

    "Even without knowledge of the other titles, readers will find this to be a fully realized family drama that stands on its own merit."—Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books 

     

    "'Rebound' grapples with grief and loss, but never buckles under the weight of it...Readers familiar with 'The Crossover' will find themselves smiling as details of Charlie’s early life emerge that give us glimpses of the man and father he will later become; those who haven’t read it will find it a strong and satisfying stand-alone book about grief, love and the power of family." —The New York Times  

     

    "His books pulse with musicality..." -Tina Jordan, The New York Times  

     

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