Kwame Alexander is a best-selling author of 24 books. His novel in verse (诗体) The Crossover won the

Kwame Alexander is a best-selling author of 24 books. His novel in verse (诗体) The Crossover won the Newbery Medal in 2015, and was followed by another verse novel in 2016, Booked. In the just-released The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life, Alexander aims to inspire readers to dream big and reach for their goals.
Time For Kids:
What can you tell us about The Playbook?
Kwame Alexander:
I wanted to write a book about how important it is to persevere (坚持) and accept the challenges that come, because they only make you stronger. And I wanted to do it in a really cool and fun way, using sports as a metaphor (隐喻), so students would be interested in reading a book that is telling them how to make their lives better.
TFK:
Where did you get the idea for the book?
Alexander:
In The Crossover, the father of the main characters, Josh and Jordan, gives them these rules for life, called Basketball Rules. Well, I was having breakfast with a friend of mine in New York City. He said, “Kwame, I love those Basketball Rules you have in The Crossover. You should think about writing a whole book on those.” That’s where it all began.
TFK:
Is it hard to mix sports and poetry (诗歌)?
Alexander:
I love sports, and I’ve been writing poetry since I was a kid. So those two things are as natural to me as breathing, laughing and walking.
TFK:
You’ve said teachers need to make learning poetry fun. Did you have a teacher like this as a kid?
Alexander:
My mom. She read poetry to my sisters and me when I was a kid, and she would make the words jump off the page!
TFK:
What advice would you give to young writers?
Alexander:
Read everything you can get your hands on. The best way to become a good writer is to read what other people have written.
1. What can we learn about The Playbook?
A. It is a historical novel.
B. It won the Newbery Medal.
C. It is actually about rules for life.
D. It is based on Alexander’s true life.
2. Who inspired Alexander to write The Playbook?
A. His mom who read poetry to him.
B. The teacher who taught him poetry.
C. His friend who read The Crossover.
D. The two characters in The Crossover.
3. When Alexander was a kid, how did he feel about poetry?
A. It was rather boring. B. It was quite difficult.
C. It was pretty mysterious. D. It was very interesting.
4. In Alexander’s mind, what’s important to become a good writer?
A. Always dream big.
B. Gladly accept challenges.
C. Read as much as possible.
D. Have a wide knowledge of poetry.
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