# Rebound

**Author:** Kwame Alexander
**Lexile:** 780L
**Grade range:** Grades 5–8
**Age range:** 10–14
**First published:** 2018
**Page count:** 432
**Genre:** Verse Novel
**ISBN-13:** `9780544868137`
**ISBN-10:** `0544868137`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/rebound
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

In this prequel to The Crossover, twelve-year-old Charlie Bell — grieving his father's death — is sent to spend the summer of 1988 with his grandparents, where his cousin and the basketball court help him find his footing. Kwame Alexander's novel in verse pairs grief with rhythm and growth. A grades 5-8 companion to The Crossover.

## Themes

- family
- grief and memory
- coming of age
- basketball

## Content notes

- death of a parent

## Where this book is assigned

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: WeAreTeachers 2025 Summer Reading List — Middle Grades](https://www.weareteachers.com/summer-reading-list-for-kids/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: WeAreTeachers 2025 Summer Reading List — Middle Grades](https://www.weareteachers.com/summer-reading-list-for-kids/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade — [source: WeAreTeachers 2025 Summer Reading List — Middle Grades](https://www.weareteachers.com/summer-reading-list-for-kids/)
- **recommended** · 8th grade — [source: WeAreTeachers 2025 Summer Reading List — Middle Grades](https://www.weareteachers.com/summer-reading-list-for-kids/)

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