The Crossover

“JB and I” tells readers more about the different physical attributes as well as the differing interests of these twin brothers, Josh and JB. Josh is an inch taller with long dreads, and JB shaves his head; Josh is a forward and JB is a shooting guard; they want to go to rival colleges; and JB is developing an interest in girls that Josh does not share yet. “[…] If we didn’t love each other, // we’d HATE each other” (23).

“At the End of Warm-Ups, My Brother Tries to Dunk” shows readers that yet another difference between these two brothers is that Josh can dunk, while JB cannot. Josh takes stock of the gym, comparing it to “a loud, crowded circus”: “My stomach is a roller coaster. / My head, a carousel. / The air, heavy with the smell / of sweat, popcorn, / and the sweet perfume / of mothers watching sons” (24).

At the game, Josh’s mom, the assistant principal, talks with teachers while Josh’s dad screams from the top row of the bleachers. The referee tosses the ball, and the game begins.

“The Sportscaster” describes another difference between JB and Josh: JB likes to talk trash on the court like their dad did when he played ball, but Josh prefers silence, talking to himself in his head, detailing play-by-plays of the game live in the moment.