"The Crossover" First Quarter Reading Check

What is one main difference between Josh and JB? (Page 23)

• Josh wants to be a football player; JB wants to be a coach.

• Josh is taller and has locks; JB is shorter and shaves his head.

• Josh goes to Bible school; JB goes to basketball camps.

• Josh likes to sing; JB likes to dance.

What does Josh compare his hair to in “Ode to My Hair” (Page 33)?

• A helmet

• A field of grass

• A crown

• Gold that should be mined and protected

What does Mom do during dinner to help Dad’s health in "Mom doesn't like us eating out"? (Pages 41-42)

• Gives him a salad

• Takes away the salt

• Refuses to let him eat dessert

• Makes him drink water

Why are the two letters inside Dad’s envelope so surprising to Josh and JB? (Pages 44-49)

• They thought Dad had never played basketball professionally

• They assumed Dad had a completely healthy career

• They already knew Dad turned down the Lakers

• They didn’t know Dad had ever lived in Los Angeles

In “Basketball Rule #2,” (Page 51) how does Dad use sports language to teach a life lesson?

• He tells Josh to stop playing basketball

• He gives Josh instructions on how to win more games

• He compares hard work and smart choices on the court to smart living in real life

• He uses slang to confuse Josh

(Page 55) Which sentence uses the word pulchritudinous correctly?

• The pulchritudinous sunset painted the sky with shades of orange and pink.

• The pulchritudinous homework took me three hours to finish.

• He brought a pulchritudinous of cookies to the party.

• We ran across the pulchritudinous during gym class.

What does Dad’s repeated story about the boys making baskets at age three reveal about his values? (Pages 63-65)

• He wants to embarrass his sons with baby stories

• He believes natural talent is more important than effort

• He takes pride in the boys’ natural ability and wants them to value it too

• He thinks the story proves how important practice is

What does Basketball Rule #4 suggest about making the most of life’s opportunities? (Page 71)

• It’s okay to miss chances sometimes

• If you fail once, you’ll never succeed

• People should focus on defense instead of scoring

• Taking small opportunities seriously can prevent regret later

What does Josh’s reaction to hearing his parents argue suggest about how he’s changing? (Pages 74-77)

• He’s learning to ignore serious conversations

• He finds adult relationships amusing

• He’s becoming more aware of adult problems and responsibilities

• He wants to become a doctor like his mom

Why does Josh choose to keep the note in “How Do You Spell Trouble?” (Pages 80-81)

• He wants to get JB in trouble

• He’s afraid of the teacher

• He wants to protect JB, even if it costs him

• He forgot what he was doing