Rebound

Rebound

book

2021, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life

WISE
85%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Fast-break verse novel about grief, basketball, and becoming Da Man—before The Crossover's dad was a dad.

Amazon4.8
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is Kwame Alexander doing what he does best—making poetry feel like a basketball game, fast and rhythmic and impossible to put down. Rebound tackles the heavy stuff (grief, family secrets, growing up) without being a downer, and the 1988 setting gives it enough distance to feel like discovery rather than lecture.

The verse format is a gift for kids who find thick chapter books intimidating, but it's not dumbed down—there's real emotional intelligence here. Charlie's summer with his grandparents feels authentic, messy, and ultimately hopeful. If your kid loved The Crossover, this is a no-brainer. If they haven't read it, this still works beautifully on its own.

The grief theme is real but handled with care—it's about healing, not wallowing. Great for building empathy and showing boys that processing emotions through family, sports, and creativity is exactly the move.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-14, especially middle schoolers navigating identity, family dynamics, or loss. The verse format and sports focus appeal to reluctant readers, while the emotional depth satisfies strong readers. Probably too young for high schoolers unless they're Crossover superfans.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

Novel-in-verse tackles grief, family dynamics, and personal growth with emotional intelligence. Charlie processes his father's death while learning about family history, developing relationships with grandparents, and navigating first romance. Models healthy coping through basketball, music appreciation, and family connection. Tone is age-appropriate for middle grade readers dealing with loss and identity.

Imaginative
82

Kwame Alexander's verse format is inventive and rhythmic, making poetry accessible and engaging for reluctant readers. The 1988 setting offers historical curiosity without being preachy. Jazz music worship and basketball culture are woven together creatively. The prequel structure invites readers to see familiar characters (from The Crossover) through a new lens, building literary connections and deeper understanding of multigenerational storytelling.

Safe
90

Core themes of grief and loss are handled sensitively and age-appropriately for middle grade. No graphic content, violence, or inappropriate material. The emotional weight of a parent's death is present but processed through basketball, family support, and summer growth. Web reviews consistently praise it as heartfelt without being traumatic. No concerning content flags from parent reviews.

Enriching
85

Strong literary merit from Newbery-winning author. Explores complex themes: processing grief, understanding family history, peer pressure, first love, and finding identity. Introduces 1980s cultural touchstones and jazz music appreciation. The verse format builds reading confidence and shows poetry as accessible storytelling. Teaches resilience and the importance of family connections across generations. Amazon rating of 4.8 and consistent critical praise indicate meaningful impact.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Kwame Alexander's signature verse style makes this fly by—even reluctant readers will finish it in one or two sittings
  • Handles heavy themes (death of a parent) with heart and hope, showing healthy grief processing through family and basketball
  • 1988 setting with jazz references and authentic family dynamics gives it cultural richness without feeling like a history lesson
  • Perfect companion to The Crossover for fans, but stands alone beautifully for new readers
  • Shows boys processing emotions, building relationships with grandparents, and navigating vulnerability—solid modeling
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What to Watch For

  • Central plot involves Charlie's grief over his father's death—sensitive topic that may resonate deeply or be difficult depending on your child's experiences
  • Some peer pressure scenarios and preteen angst around fitting in and first romance
  • The verse format is accessible but may feel unfamiliar to kids used to traditional prose—give it a few pages to click

Conversation Starters

  • "Charlie discovers basketball helps him deal with his dad's death. What helps you when you're feeling sad or overwhelmed?"
  • "His grandparents share family stories Charlie never knew. What stories from our family history do you want to know more about?"
  • "The book is set in 1988—what's different about being a kid then versus now? What's stayed the same?"
  • "Charlie learns his dad wasn't perfect. How does knowing someone's full story change how you see them?"

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