Kwame Alexander's
The Crossover Literacy

Students shouldn't have to choose between books they love and the explicit, systematic instruction they need. Kwame Alexander's The Crossover Literacy uniquely blends the motivational power of a beloved literary universe with grade-level literacy instruction—helping readers reinforce and extend their learning in grades 3–5.

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The Books They Love with the Literacy Skills They Need

A supplemental literacy resource for Grades 3–5

Each component of The Crossover Literacy is designed to work together, giving teachers the flexibility to meet students where they are while keeping authentic stories at the center of instruction.

Explicit, Systematic Whole-Book Instruction

Each collection intentionally blends prose and verse, creating accessible entry points while helping students build reading stamina, confidence, and appreciation for language. Each story is paired with a relevant nonfiction article and a thoughtfully designed sequence of lessons that help teachers reinforce crucial literacy skills.

Explicit Support with:

Grade-appropriate phonics
Fluency
Vocabulary and Word Analysis
Comprehension

A Beloved Universe Expands

Anchored in Kwame Alexander's award-winning The Crossover, these 36 original, trade-style chapter books were created specifically for grades 3–5 and serve as prequels to the events of The Crossover. Each grade-level collection contains 12 books, with 2 books focused on each of the 6 main characters.

Teachers—and students!—familiar with the world of The Crossover and Booked will recognize the characters of Jordan, Josh, April, and Vondie. Two new characters (Mia and Ben) expand the universe even more and are sure to capture intermediate readers' budding interest.

Meeting Students at a Critical Part of Their Literacy Journey

Grades 3–5 students face rapidly increasing demands: more complex texts, deeper comprehension across subjects, a shift beyond foundational skills, and the start of state testing.

And as students gain independence, they’re also beginning to define themselves as readers and learners. At this stage, reading identities take shape, and catching up becomes harder.

The right classroom experiences can make the difference between students who love to read and those who read just to get by.

What's Included

Trade-Style Chapter Books

6 unforgettable characters. 36 original stories. High-interest fiction written specifically for students in grades 3–5 that builds reading stamina, confidence, and a love of reading.

Teacher's Guides and Lessons

Provides lessons aligned to a research-based scope and sequence focused on grade-level Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary and Word Analysis, and Comprehension—all grounded in meaningful moments from the text.

Student Journals & Paired Nonfiction Articles

Purposeful opportunities for students to reflect, write, discuss, and build knowledge through thoughtfully connected nonfiction texts.

Digital Resources

Includes Warm Up with Coach Kwame videos, eBooks with audio, and engaging digital content that extends learning and keeps students connected to the stories beyond the page.