Have you read a 200-page book full of poetry? Well my guess is no. but if you WANT to read one, I have the perfect book for you! It’s the one and only The Crossover, a novel in verse. I am a big fan of basketball; I sometimes shoot hoops during school recess. Based on my own experience, I know basketball is not just about winning. It’s not easy to do basketball; it’s not easy to do anything. Even if you are the best of the best. The Crossover follows the story of Josh Bell (aka Filthy Mcnasty) and Jordan Bell (aka JB) as they play basketball and go on with their normal middle school lives. Each is talented in his own way, but together they’re unstoppable. When they were young, they were the best of brothers and friends, but over the course of this novel, their relationship becomes strained. But even if they argue or are mean to each other, they are still brothers. And their dad, a former professional basketball player, wants his sons to follow in his footsteps. This book is about friendship and grit. Josh emulates the kind of courage we would all like to have – the courage to fail, and to believe that it is OK to lose. Josh doesn’t give up; he just gets up the next day and practices even harder for the next game. But for a really good book, there are also some cons. This book mainly focuses on basketball, which is not always a good thing, unless you REALLY understand the language of basketball (e.g. swish, swoop, crossover). In addition, the novel in verse format is challenging – you have to pay attention to the sounds of the words, the way the words are written on the page, and the way one poem flows on to the next. This book is also pretty sad at times (I don’t want to give more details because that would be a spoiler!). Finally, one of the problems I have with the story is that it is ONLY told from Josh’s perspective—if some of the poems were written from the father’s or JB point of view, then I would be able to better understand their emotions and that would make the story more interesting. This book was written by Kwame Alexander in 2014 and won the Newbery Medal in 2015 (Yay!). One of my favorite passages is: “I watch the ball leave his hands like a bird up high, skating the sky, crossing over us.” So if anyone is looking for an emotional, but exciting book to read, try The Crossover. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process! Have you read this book? Or do you plan on reading it? Let us know in the comments below!
Stone Soup Magazine for young readers, writers, and artists
Evangeline of the Bayou, Reviewed by Nina Vigil, 11
At 7:30 PM one night, although I was only in the middle of the book, I set out in determination to finish Evangeline of the Bayou. I ended up reading so ardently that time didn’t seem to be passing at all. But it was, and when I finally finished it was 9:30 PM. That’s how amazing it was. Evangeline Clement is a haunt-huntress-in-training living with her grandma in the Louisiana bayou. What’s a haunt huntress? Well, they’re women who protect people from supernatural creatures like bayou banshees, dixie demons, and graveyard ghouls, among many others. Evangeline is very excited to become an official haunt huntress and for her familiar to arrive. But what if she’s not a real haunt huntress, but just a middling? The story begins when Evangeline and her Gran are called to New Orleans to solve a case involving a strange illness. This one is like nothing Evangeline has ever seen before. And soon, she’s gotten herself mixed up in a mystery that quickly gets very frightening and very dangerous. The best part of this book is the clever and innovative plot, and the combination of mystery, adventure and fantasy. I also loved the different creatures. My favorite was Fader, the four-eared cat who is Gran’s familiar. I enjoyed learning about all of the magical elements. There are spells, magical items, talismans, voodoo, and more. The blend of cultures in New Orleans is a lot like the gumbo Evangeline loves. In addition to that, I liked the realistic characters. Take Evangeline-like many people, she aspires to be something (in her case, a haunt huntress), but the problem is that in order to be approved as a haunt huntress, she has to prove that she “has heart”, and she’s worried she won’t be deemed worthy. Being a haunt huntress connects Evangeline to important women like her Gran and her dead mother. From the start, you’re rooting for her. Evangeline of the Bayou is a wonderful, exciting and fast-paced book that I recommend for just about anyone, in particular mystery fans and avid fantasy readers. I suggest you immediately get this book. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. Evangeline of the Bayou by Jan Eldredge. Balzer + Bray, 2018. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process! Have you read this book? Or do you plan on reading it? Let us know in the comments below!
10 Fun Things To Do This Summer
School is out and the sun is blazing hot each day. You are looking forward to some fun days since summer has finally arrived! However, there may be some days that you are feeling bored at home with nothing to do. Here are 10 fun things you can do this summer to help you get rid of this problem: Hike: This is a great way to get exercise while observing the beauty of nature! Go to the park: Parks are also a great way to get exercise. You can even invite your friends to play with you–it’s a good way to stay in touch during the long break. Go camping/glamping: Staying outdoors and living completely off the grid is another great way to have some fun this summer. If camping isn’t your thing, try glamping, which could include staying in a cabin or RV truck (these places let you enjoy nature while still having access to amenities like air conditioning, a comfortable bed, and a clean, bug-free bathroom). Volunteer: Whether at a library, the animal shelter, or a nursing home, volunteering is a great way to spend your time. It helps other people and makes you feel good inside. Look online today to find a local place that offers volunteering opportunities for kids! Visit a Museum: Museums are great places to spend your time, if not admiring famous art pieces then doing hands-on activities. You can learn so many new things while having fun. Read: Make a list of books that you want to read over the summer. You can even do a book club with your friends or participate in a summer reading challenge at a local library. Have a sleepover with your family/friends: Order some pizza, bring out the sleeping bags and watch a movie. This is a great way to have fun and bond with your family or friends! Start a big project: Choose a big project to work on by yourself, as a family, or with friends. Some examples are: building a large Lego sculpture, making a big puzzle, or even writing a book. Summer is the perfect stretch of time for you to take on a big project and be happy with the results. Learn something new: Whether it is a new language, a new skill or hobby, learning something new will make you feel proud of yourself. This can be a big accomplishment that is perfect to begin this summer. Create a summer scrapbook: Near the end of summer break, collect things that represent what you have done throughout the summer and put them together in a scrapbook. Add captions and you will have something to remember the summer by! All of these activities for the summer are great ways to spend your time instead of lying on the couch all day watching TV or playing video games. It is important to stay active and be productive for at least some days in the summer. Have a great fun-filled summer and comment down below what you are planning to do this summer. The more ideas we can share with each other the more fun we all can have!
