The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

I found this book on the new releases shelf at my local library, and I gave it a rating of five out of five. Josh and his twin brother, JB, are the sons of a former professional basketball player, and they're the stars of their middle school team. They are tight and unstoppable...until a new girl comes to the school. Josh starts to feel abandoned, and the pressure builds when his father refuses to see a doctor about his health. Josh finally loses his cool and must now suffer the consequences.

The book is written in verse, which I don't usually like, but this works. The poetry clearly tells the story, but it allows the author to be more creative as he describes the boys' talents. The plot deals with family and school conflicts, and it focuses on Josh's struggles. His parents want the sons to become responsible young men, which makes the father's behavior ironic. I think all readers can enjoy this book; it doesn't read like a poem. It shares some powerful lessons about life.