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Celebrate a nation of diverse readers with these recommended books, authors, and teaching resources.
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Read Across America Presents: Kwame Alexander's The Crossover - A Jazz-Infused Reading

A special presentation of the critically acclaimed, best-selling novel in verse.
Kwame Alexander reads The Crossover to small audience of middle school students accompanied by a female cellist
By: National Education Association
Published: January 15, 2025 Last Updated: March 4, 2025

Celebrate Read Across America and the 10th anniversary of The Crossover with a story concert starring award-winning poet and author Kwame Alexander. Feel the rhythm and the beat of twin brothers navigating love, loyalty, and family on and off the basketball court in a whole new way! 

Watch all five episodes below!

The Crossover

Basketball! Books! Beats! Click on the images below to watch the five-part series of the jazz-infused reading of Kwame Alexander's The Crossover.
Author Kwame Alexander stands with hands clasped and addresses an audience of students with bassist Amy Shook in the background.
Bassist Amy Shook and NEA President Becky Pringle demonstrate musical rhythm with a basketball while Kwame Alexander looks on
Author Kwame Alexander reads his book The Crossover to a small audience of middle school students
Kwame Alexander in a dark green shirt with hands clasped
Students sit and watch a performance of The Crosssover

Resources for Sharing The Crossover in the Classroom 

Get copies of The Crossover for students from First Book. (If you serve a Title I-eligible school or any other program or organization where at least 70 percent of participating students come from low-income families, you are eligible to become a First Book member.) 

Talking with Kwame

Check out the latest episode of our School Me podcast where we interview Kwame Alexander on the importance of having "all the books for all the kids."

More from Read Across America

Author Kwame Alexander addresses a crowd in a story concert of his book The Crossover

Read Across America Celebrates with a Jazz-infused “Story Concert”

Virginia middle school students enjoy an exclusive Read Across America celebration with author and hometown hero Kwame Alexander.
elementary students in class using drumsticks in a rhythm activity

Celebrating Read Across America with Story, Sound, and Song

Like books, music and song create community, reflect culture and history, and tell powerful stories. Use these resources to strike the right note in your Read Across America activities.
music in schools

A Steadfast Commitment to Music Education

Two award-winning teachers know music has a positive impact on achievement and development and are working to make sure it remains a key part of the school curriculum.
Celebrate a nation of diverse readers with these recommended books, authors, and teaching resources.

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Jump to updates, opportunities, and resources for NEA state and local affiliates.
High school student reading graphic novel in the library

Classroom Resources to Support the Freedom to Read

Find resources to highlight why it is important to give students choice in what they read, what you can do to support and protect their right to choose books from all viewpoints, and how you can help them access relatable, enjoyable reading materials.
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Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.
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