Who is the narrator? Describe three things you know about him.

Josh is the 12-year-old narrator of The Crossover. His two loves are family and basketball, and his life is full of opportunities to combine them. For example, his dad, a former college player, has trained Josh ever since he could hold a basketball. Along with his brother Jordan, Josh plays on a highly competitive team with the potential to dominate the championships.

Josh’s confidence shines through when he describes his basketball skills. He’s a forward with a fantastic crossover, and his skills earn him the nickname “Filthy McNasty” (a moniker he hates at first but eventually embraces.) His confidence translates into success on the court, and he anticipates a college and NBA career.

However, Josh isn’t just a basketball player. He’s passionate about music, particularly his dad’s oldies and contemporary rap artists, particularly Lil Wayne. His love for rhythm is evident in his poems, which often mimic the fast and frenetic pace of a basketball game. He’s dedicated to school, even though some classes, especially math, give him a bit of trouble. Above all, Josh's defining characteristic is his love for his family. Josh enjoys his brother’s company before than anyone else’s, even though Jordan can be too much of jokester sometimes. He's close with both his mom and dad, and he treasures his time with them.

Josh can be insecure. At the beginning of the novel, he’s proud of his looks, particularly his dreadlocks. After he loses them because of a bad bet with Jordan, he’s devastated. He’s also not as suave and self-assured as Jordan, who’s more able to talk with girls and branch out from his family circle. Josh can also be temperamental. During a regular game, he lets his temper get the best of him and viciously whips the ball at Jordan’s face. This estranges the two boys for a long time.