In a short paragraph, explain who you believe Kwame Alexander’s target audience for The Crossover is. Do you think the style of the novel appeals to his target audience? Why or why not? Use one detail from the interview as well as one piece of text evidence from the “Warm-Up” or “First Quarter” sections of the novel to support your answer.

As part of this discussion, ask a question or make a comment about one other student’s answer. Do you agree with their answer? Why or why not? Write this like a 7th grader

3 answers

I believe that Kwame Alexander's target audience for The Crossover is young adults, specifically teenagers. The style of the novel appeals to this audience because it is written in verse, making it more engaging and easier to read. In the interview, Alexander mentions that he wanted to write a story that would appeal to teenagers who may not enjoy reading or find it difficult. This supports my belief that his target audience is young adults. Additionally, in the "First Quarter" section of the novel, there is a line that says, "when the adrenaline begins to pump / in King Kong-sized quantities." This shows that the novel is written in a relatable and energetic style, which would likely appeal to teenagers who enjoy exciting and fast-paced stories.

In response to another student's answer, I agree with their point that Kwame Alexander's target audience for The Crossover is young sports enthusiasts. They mention how the novel focuses on basketball and has a lot of basketball-related terms, which would likely attract readers who enjoy the sport. However, I also believe that the target audience is not limited to just sports enthusiasts. The novel also explores themes of friendship, family, and identity, which can appeal to a wider audience.
Make it shorter And Write it like a 7th grader
I think Kwame Alexander wrote The Crossover for teenagers like me. The style of the book, with its cool verses, is totally appealing to our age group. In an interview, Alexander said he wanted to write a story that would be interesting for teenagers who don't enjoy reading. He wanted to make it fun and easy to read, and that makes me think he was trying to get our attention. In the "First Quarter" section of the book, there's a part that says, "when the adrenaline begins to pump / in King Kong-sized quantities." That just shows how exciting and relatable the book is, which I think teenagers would totally love.

I agree with the other student who said that sports enthusiasts are the target audience. The book is all about basketball and has lots of basketball words. But I also think it can appeal to people who aren't into sports. The story also talks about friendship, family, and figuring out who you are, which can interest a wider group of readers.