A novel-in-verse set in the 1980s revisits the Bell family of Crossover, telling the story of Charlie (Josh and Jordan’s dad in Crossover ) as a teen. Charlie has been struggling since the unexpected death of his father, his feelings complicated by the fact that he and his mom are having a hard time connecting. Concerned by some of the choices Charlie is making, his mom sends him to stay with his Bell grandparents near Washington, D.C. for the summer. There, Charlie’s cousin Roxie schools him in basketball; his grandfather introduces him to jazz; and his grandmother provides openhearted love. Glimpses of his future romance with Candace (Josh and Jordan’s mom), the origins of each twin’s future name, and other elements will be satisfying touchstones for fans of Crossover, but Charlie’s own story of moving through grief and recognizing the pain in others; making not-always-great choices and finding out they aren’t the end of the world if he takes responsibility; and reconnecting with his mom is compelling in its own right. (Ages 9–13)

From the New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander comes Rebound, the dynamic prequel to his Newbery Award–winning novel in verse, The Crossover.

Before Josh and Jordan Bell were streaking up and down the court, their father was learning his own moves. Chuck Bell takes center stage as readers get a glimpse of his childhood and how he became the jazz music worshiping, basketball star his sons look up to.

A novel in verse with all the impact and rhythm readers have come to expect from Kwame Alexander, Rebound goes back in time to visit the childhood of Chuck "Da Man" Bell during one pivotal summer when young Charlie is sent to stay with his grandparents where he discovers basketball and learns more about his family's past.

This prequel to the Newbery Medal- and Coretta Scott King Award-winning The Crossover scores.