12 year old twins Josh and Jordan Bell are lightning on a basketball court. And together they are nearly invincible. Living and breathing basketball through their dad who played in the big league’s, and training constantly for fun and their futures in mind, Josh and Jordan are also popular at school and have good grades. Their assistant principal mum demands it.

Josh loves his dreadlocks, believing them to be his ‘wings’ on the court. Jordan loves to bet – on anything! When Josh loses a bet, he allows Josh near his dreads with the scissors, which goes terribly wrong. Josh and Jordan have always been incredibly close, but for Josh, other things seem to be changing too. Jordan has a new girlfriend, ‘Miss Sweet Tea,’ and Josh is feeling left out and lost.

His dad tries to explain. It’s not personal. Just life. He doesn’t ‘see’ you at the moment, he advises. Josh focuses on his basketball, his rapping and his studies, and alone at home one day, he hears something that raises worries. Is dad sick?

Told in verse, this rhyming, rapping, rhythmic novel is fast, thoughtful, calm and chaotic. It made me laugh, cry and gasp in between. As always – Kwame Alexander is magical.

Author – Kwame Alexander

Age – 11+

(Basketball, Sport, Verse, Twins, Brothers, Siblings, Family)