Call number
JF APP
Collection
Publication
Feiwel & Friends (2015), Edition: First Edition, 256 pages
Description
Fantasy. Juvenile Fiction. HTML: In her first novel since The One and Only Ivan, winner of the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience. Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything? Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary. This title has Common Core connections..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member ChrisRiesbeck
This is the second Applegate I've read, after The One and Only Ivan, Like that book, this is deep book for young readers. Where Ivan, the captive gorilla, was melancholic, Jackson, the young boy here, seems on the surface like every other smart somewhat unsatisfied young adult heroes, trying to
Highly recommended.
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deal with the return of his childhood imaginary friend, the larger than human sized cat Crenshaw. As such, the book sucks you into what is eventually a very sad but realistic story of family woes. The trappings are fantasy, with hints that keep it right at the edge of whether Crenshaw really exists, but the book is about much more than that. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member msf59
“Imaginary friends are like books. We're created, we're enjoyed, we're dog-eared and creased, and then we're tucked away until we're needed again.”
Jackson is ten years old. His family is, struggling to make ends meet and may soon be homeless.
They may have to live in their minivan, once again,
Crenshaw, is an enormous black & white cat, who is out-spoken and loves bubble-baths. He is also Jackson's imaginary friend.
He first arrived, when Jackson was six and has now returned, to give the boy comfort, in this difficult time.
What a pleasant surprise this book turned out to be. Well-written, emotional, without being overly sentimental.
It deals with very tough issues, that still face many families in America but never sounds preachy or heavy-handed.
I have not read Applegate before but she has sure caught my attention.
Jackson is ten years old. His family is, struggling to make ends meet and may soon be homeless.
They may have to live in their minivan, once again,
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until they can get on their feet.Crenshaw, is an enormous black & white cat, who is out-spoken and loves bubble-baths. He is also Jackson's imaginary friend.
He first arrived, when Jackson was six and has now returned, to give the boy comfort, in this difficult time.
What a pleasant surprise this book turned out to be. Well-written, emotional, without being overly sentimental.
It deals with very tough issues, that still face many families in America but never sounds preachy or heavy-handed.
I have not read Applegate before but she has sure caught my attention.
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LibraryThing member NurseBob
A little boy constantly living on the brink of homelessness and his giant cat familiar who may or may not be entirely imaginary. In the hands of some authors this could have been a sappy heart-tugger but Applegate treads that fine line between "precious" and "precocious" to give us a beautiful tale
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of growing up and growing wiser that doesn't talk down to its young audience. Very funny and often poignant, this is a one-siting read with something to say to readers of all ages. Show Less
LibraryThing member fingerpost
Life is rough and unfair for Jackson and his family. They have been homeless before, living out of their van. Back then, A giant cat named Crenshaw joined Jackson as his imaginary friend. Then, when things got better, Crenshaw vanished. Now, a few years later, jobs and medical issues with Jackson's
The book deals with serious issues, and does not paint a rosy picture. The only real positive for Jackson, is that no matter how bad things are, his parents, sister, and he all love each other. That is never brought into doubt.
I didn't see that Crenshaw himself particularly did anything. He wasn't there much. Most of what he said seemed irrelevant. The more interesting parts of the book were the long stretches where the giant cat wasn't there and wasn't mentioned. The title character seemed almost superfluous. I would have preferred the book if had simply been the tale of a family struggling with homelessness, and how Jackson copes with it.
Crenshaw felt more like a gimmick than a character.
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father have taken some bad turns, and it looks like they may be homeless again. And because he is needed, Crenshaw shows up again, but logical, scientific-minded Jackson isn't so welcoming this go around to inviting someone who can't possibly exist into his life.The book deals with serious issues, and does not paint a rosy picture. The only real positive for Jackson, is that no matter how bad things are, his parents, sister, and he all love each other. That is never brought into doubt.
I didn't see that Crenshaw himself particularly did anything. He wasn't there much. Most of what he said seemed irrelevant. The more interesting parts of the book were the long stretches where the giant cat wasn't there and wasn't mentioned. The title character seemed almost superfluous. I would have preferred the book if had simply been the tale of a family struggling with homelessness, and how Jackson copes with it.
Crenshaw felt more like a gimmick than a character.
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LibraryThing member foggidawn
Back when he was six, Jackson had an imaginary friend named Crenshaw, an enormous black and white cat. That was when his family was going through a rough time, living out of their minivan. Now, at the end of his fourth-grade year, it looks like those bad times may be returning as his family falls
First of all, the good: I really liked the family dynamics portrayed in this book. Jackson's family is loving but flawed, and that comes across well in the writing. On the other hand, for a book dealing with such weighty issues, this one felt slight to me, not as meaty and satisfying as it could have been. Part of the issue was, I think, that so much of the book is spent describing the past, when I wanted to see more of the present. All in all, a fairly good read if you are interested in this sort of book, but it doesn't pack the same emotional punch as Applegate's Newbery winner, The One and Only Ivan.
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behind in the rent and holds a big yard sale in hopes of paying off some bills. Jackson is too old for an imaginary friend, and way too serious for one -- but nevertheless, Crenshaw is back. Can he help Jackson process the issues his family faces?First of all, the good: I really liked the family dynamics portrayed in this book. Jackson's family is loving but flawed, and that comes across well in the writing. On the other hand, for a book dealing with such weighty issues, this one felt slight to me, not as meaty and satisfying as it could have been. Part of the issue was, I think, that so much of the book is spent describing the past, when I wanted to see more of the present. All in all, a fairly good read if you are interested in this sort of book, but it doesn't pack the same emotional punch as Applegate's Newbery winner, The One and Only Ivan.
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LibraryThing member eduscapes
CRENSHAW by Katherine Applegate tells the heart-breaking story of a boy on the brink of homelessness and his relationship with an imaginary cat.
Jackson and his family have been homeless before, so when Jackson hears his parents arguing about money he fears the worst. When Jackson lived in his
Written for the middle grades, Applegate’s authentic look at the working poor and the stress of living “on the edge” is presented in an age-appropriate manner. Readers will empathize with the characters and enjoy the comic relief of the imaginary cat who just wants to help.
Librarians will find Applegate’s fans flocking to read her latest book. Readers will not be disappointed. The painfully honest story will help young readers better understand the realities of homelessness.
Published by September 22, 2015 by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
Jackson and his family have been homeless before, so when Jackson hears his parents arguing about money he fears the worst. When Jackson lived in his
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family’s minivan after he was in first grade, a giant imaginary cat named Crenshaw first appeared. Crenshaw’s back to help Jackson through this latest crisis even though Jackson thinks he’s too old for an imaginary friend.Written for the middle grades, Applegate’s authentic look at the working poor and the stress of living “on the edge” is presented in an age-appropriate manner. Readers will empathize with the characters and enjoy the comic relief of the imaginary cat who just wants to help.
Librarians will find Applegate’s fans flocking to read her latest book. Readers will not be disappointed. The painfully honest story will help young readers better understand the realities of homelessness.
Published by September 22, 2015 by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
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LibraryThing member knitwit2
Fifth grade may be too old to have an imaginary friend but certainly too young to worry about homelessness. Jackson and his family are not strangers to hard times. When Jackson was in second grade they lived in their minivan for an entire summer. During that time Jackson met Creshaw a rather large,
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opinionated talking cat. Crenshaw became Jackson’s friend and confidant throughout this tumultuous time. Now the family is facing another serious set-back and Crenshaw is back to help Jackson deal with the truth about his situation. He must learn to tell the truth to others but mostly to himself. Show Less
LibraryThing member mal2012
Almost a 5 star book
LibraryThing member Ash13276
This book was great! I really would highly recommend for students who need something interesting to read, this will catch their eyes. This book is not like all others which makes it unique. This book contains high vocabulary words that will help the students grow in their vocabulary. This book is a
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Texas bluebonnet 2016-2017 chapter book. I would not recommend for students 3rd grade or under. Great way to teach students to use their imagination as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member rretzler
Crenshaw is another middle-grade book that was suggested for my son's Newbery Club. Katherine Applegate is the author of The One and Only Ivan which won the Newbery a few years ago (during my older son's involvement in the Newbery Club).
Jackson is an elementary school boy whose family consists of
This book had some pretty serious issues for a middle-grade book. Jackson's mother and father seem to be optimists and have not shared their financial worries with their children, but Jackson is smart enough to see the handwriting on the wall, and he wishes that his parents would tell him the truth. As one of his teachers says, he is "an old soul." It really made me think as a parent about the choices that we all make regarding our family situation and how we want to protect our children -- and whether this is the right thing to do. I'm not sure that a child reading the book would necessarily get that from the book, so I think that it is likely the author meant this book to be shared with parents as well.
It was a good book, but perhaps not a great book, that dealt with a heavy issue in a thought-provoking and warm way. It was an easy read for my son, and I think we both got different things from it.
Jackson is an elementary school boy whose family consists of
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his mother, his father, his younger sister, Robin and his imaginary friend, Crenshaw. Crenshaw is a large, people-sized black and white cat, who first appeared to Jackson when his family had to live in their van for a period. He disappeared the day that Jackson met his best friend, Marisol, who lived in the new apartment complex that Jackson's family moved into, but has now come back. Jackson's father has MS, and it is hard for him to hold down a job. His mother was fired from her job and is having problems finding another, so both parents have part-time jobs to try to support the family. To Jackson, it seems that his family may again be losing their home.This book had some pretty serious issues for a middle-grade book. Jackson's mother and father seem to be optimists and have not shared their financial worries with their children, but Jackson is smart enough to see the handwriting on the wall, and he wishes that his parents would tell him the truth. As one of his teachers says, he is "an old soul." It really made me think as a parent about the choices that we all make regarding our family situation and how we want to protect our children -- and whether this is the right thing to do. I'm not sure that a child reading the book would necessarily get that from the book, so I think that it is likely the author meant this book to be shared with parents as well.
It was a good book, but perhaps not a great book, that dealt with a heavy issue in a thought-provoking and warm way. It was an easy read for my son, and I think we both got different things from it.
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
I'm so disappointed by this book - I thought it was going to be wonderful, and I just didn't enjoy it much at all.
Jackson had an imaginary friend, a cat who walked on his hind legs and talked... the cat disappeared once the hard times disappeared and he got himself a real human friend, then the
Jackson had an imaginary friend, a cat who walked on his hind legs and talked... the cat disappeared once the hard times disappeared and he got himself a real human friend, then the
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cat reappears when times get tough again and he is going to lose his human friend, Marisol. Obviously I must have missed something because I read that other people were raving about the book, but I'm just not a fan... I did love the writing of Applegate and some of the lines, but felt like the book spent too much time in the past, when really I wanted to read more of what was happening to Jackson and his family now. If they're struggling to make ends meet, was the bubble bath imaginary too? I just didn't understand the actions of Crenshaw. Maybe I was trying too hard. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
Much too flawed to praise. ?I'm glad it took me only an hour to read (although, had it been more thoroughly developed, it may have been less superficial and richer). ?áAt least there was lots of love - the parents were idiots, but at least they weren't into abuse or alcohol or even self-pity.
But seriously. ?áIf your kids are hungry, get help. ?áIf you can afford mac'n'cheese, which is not in the least nourishing, you can afford *beans*, which have iron, fiber, protein, and even some vitamins. ?áIf you can't afford the cost of living in San Francisco (and who can?) then move out to the country. ?áThis family had kin in Idaho - couldn't they move there?
Anyway, there are also cliches and shortcuts in the writing style, and didacticism in the presentation of what it means to be homeless and hungry. ?áI don't know if Applegate has any personal understanding, but I do, and I get the impression she did some research and relied on that. ?áShe also comes across as a 'let them eat cake' liberal. ?áI don't see a note on the book that says 'portion of proceeds to go to Monarch School' or anything. ?á
The bottom line might be, is it a book that will make a difference in reader's lives? ?áWell, I don't know if it will help fortunate kids be more compassionate or friendly towards their poor classmates or not. ?áNor can I tell whether it will help poor kids feel less alone, more hopeful. ?áI kinda doubt it, on both counts.
So, not well-written, not authentic, and not inspirational. ?áToo bad.
But it does get two stars from me, for reminding you-all of the classic A Hole is to Dig, by Krauss & Sendak. ?áMarvelous book; needs to be in every kid's repertoire."
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?áBut seriously. ?áIf your kids are hungry, get help. ?áIf you can afford mac'n'cheese, which is not in the least nourishing, you can afford *beans*, which have iron, fiber, protein, and even some vitamins. ?áIf you can't afford the cost of living in San Francisco (and who can?) then move out to the country. ?áThis family had kin in Idaho - couldn't they move there?
Anyway, there are also cliches and shortcuts in the writing style, and didacticism in the presentation of what it means to be homeless and hungry. ?áI don't know if Applegate has any personal understanding, but I do, and I get the impression she did some research and relied on that. ?áShe also comes across as a 'let them eat cake' liberal. ?áI don't see a note on the book that says 'portion of proceeds to go to Monarch School' or anything. ?á
The bottom line might be, is it a book that will make a difference in reader's lives? ?áWell, I don't know if it will help fortunate kids be more compassionate or friendly towards their poor classmates or not. ?áNor can I tell whether it will help poor kids feel less alone, more hopeful. ?áI kinda doubt it, on both counts.
So, not well-written, not authentic, and not inspirational. ?áToo bad.
But it does get two stars from me, for reminding you-all of the classic A Hole is to Dig, by Krauss & Sendak. ?áMarvelous book; needs to be in every kid's repertoire."
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LibraryThing member knotbox
Thursday night I was standing in the brightly colored children's section of the bookstore, I held three books in my hand and knew I could barely afford one. I put back the intriguing The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse and a new book by the beloved Karen Cushman, Greyling's Song. I did that thing that
That which piqued my interest was that it was by the same author as The One and Only Ivan, a book I was sure I was going to love and wasn't sure I didn't already own digitally. It also had a boy and a cat on the cover, and was somehow about this cat being able to talk, so therefore slightly magical. I rarely watch movie trailers this day, so I didn't even read the book flap, trusting enough in these previous criteria that the book was worth full retail price.
I didn't return the book only because I read it, but also because I didn't really want to own it.
Crenshaw was a short and interesting novel about poverty and homelessness from the perspective of a child, Jackson, but also about the line between needing an 'adult' honesty from your parents, sharing in the family problems and being honest not just about problems but about your needs.
Crenshaw is the name of an imaginary cat who is at least five feet tall, likes bubble baths and walking on two feet. He was the star-by-proxy and was so enjoyable to read. I could easily see this book being turned into a charming movie, with Cary Elwes voicing him. But I'm biased because of his performance as The Baron in two Ghibli movies.
This book isn't very complicated, and yet it is. The main character is ten, and the novel sets out to accomplish a single, complex point: deal with the possibility of being homeless. I will spoil for you the fact that this is done with some fine-feeling and a happy ending, but I won't hash out the details. Whatever you do, do read this, to your child, at the beach, while taking the train to Grand Central.
Do it for Jackson or do it for Crenshaw.
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I'd always imagined doing but never dared. I took home Crenshaw and returned it the following Monday.That which piqued my interest was that it was by the same author as The One and Only Ivan, a book I was sure I was going to love and wasn't sure I didn't already own digitally. It also had a boy and a cat on the cover, and was somehow about this cat being able to talk, so therefore slightly magical. I rarely watch movie trailers this day, so I didn't even read the book flap, trusting enough in these previous criteria that the book was worth full retail price.
I didn't return the book only because I read it, but also because I didn't really want to own it.
Crenshaw was a short and interesting novel about poverty and homelessness from the perspective of a child, Jackson, but also about the line between needing an 'adult' honesty from your parents, sharing in the family problems and being honest not just about problems but about your needs.
Crenshaw is the name of an imaginary cat who is at least five feet tall, likes bubble baths and walking on two feet. He was the star-by-proxy and was so enjoyable to read. I could easily see this book being turned into a charming movie, with Cary Elwes voicing him. But I'm biased because of his performance as The Baron in two Ghibli movies.
This book isn't very complicated, and yet it is. The main character is ten, and the novel sets out to accomplish a single, complex point: deal with the possibility of being homeless. I will spoil for you the fact that this is done with some fine-feeling and a happy ending, but I won't hash out the details. Whatever you do, do read this, to your child, at the beach, while taking the train to Grand Central.
Do it for Jackson or do it for Crenshaw.
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LibraryThing member tbeard76
Jackson's life is in a state of stress. His mom has lost her job, and his dad has been diagnosed with MS. Just when things are really looking bad, his old friend Crenshaw shows up to help.
LibraryThing member lillibrary
Kudos to Katherine Applegate for tackling difficult issues like poverty, hunger and homelessness and making them accessible to young readers through her novel, Crenshaw. While an adult reader could easily have done without the "imaginary friend" subplot, the levity and diversion created by
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Crenshaw, an extraordinarily large invisible cat with a penchant for purple jelly beans, give the intended audience a friendlier way to approach a hard topic. Still, the tone is somber and the ending, while hopeful, is realistic. Recommended for elementary and early middle school readers. An excellent book for class discussion or book club because kids will want to talk about this. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Writing a children's story that deals with such difficult topics as homelessness and chronic illness is a challenge. I loved the element of an imaginary friend who helps Jackson come to terms with the difficulties of his family's situation.
LibraryThing member Whisper1
This is an accomplished author and winner of the Newbery Medal for The One and Only Ivan. Crenshaw is an imaginary cat friend of Jackson. In leaner times when the impoverished family lived in their mini van, Crenshaw appeared to Jackson. Now that he is spotted surfing waves and taking bubble baths,
When the family continually receives dunning notices for rent, Jackson is afraid, and then angry. Angry that once again life is out of his out of control as a result of parents who cannot provide for their children.
There are many wonderful, loving passages wherein Jackson, though angry, is sincerely trying to grasp the situation and to acknowledge that his father is a proud man who does not want to accept help, and who, because of MS, cannot find steady employment.
Crenshaw is there to help Jackson. His main contribution is to stay with Jackson and provide guidance regarding telling the truth to his parents regarding his feelings.
Told from the perspective of Jackson, this story shines with beauty. It is a five star read!
When all personal items, except clothes and mattresses, are sold at a neighborhood yard sale, Jackson mourns the loss of his bed, his light, his board games. In the end, he knows that friendship, where imaginary or real, is the one steady rope that he can hold grasp when the fibers of poverty are difficult and hard to navigate.
On a personal level, I volunteered at a local homeless shelter for many years. I saw first hand what poverty does and the loss of identification. Too often, in ignorance people label homeless as a condition brought on by laziness or addiction.
In reality, the largest growing number of homeless people are young children. Unable to attend schools on a regular basis, wearing hand me down clothes, hungry and plagued by illness because of lack of health care, all too often, they are unfairly, unnecessarily, held accountable for their parent's actions.
For more regarding the subject of children and homelessness, I highly recommend Jonathan Kozol's, Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America
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Jackson fears the homeless situation is about to occur once again.When the family continually receives dunning notices for rent, Jackson is afraid, and then angry. Angry that once again life is out of his out of control as a result of parents who cannot provide for their children.
There are many wonderful, loving passages wherein Jackson, though angry, is sincerely trying to grasp the situation and to acknowledge that his father is a proud man who does not want to accept help, and who, because of MS, cannot find steady employment.
Crenshaw is there to help Jackson. His main contribution is to stay with Jackson and provide guidance regarding telling the truth to his parents regarding his feelings.
Told from the perspective of Jackson, this story shines with beauty. It is a five star read!
When all personal items, except clothes and mattresses, are sold at a neighborhood yard sale, Jackson mourns the loss of his bed, his light, his board games. In the end, he knows that friendship, where imaginary or real, is the one steady rope that he can hold grasp when the fibers of poverty are difficult and hard to navigate.
On a personal level, I volunteered at a local homeless shelter for many years. I saw first hand what poverty does and the loss of identification. Too often, in ignorance people label homeless as a condition brought on by laziness or addiction.
In reality, the largest growing number of homeless people are young children. Unable to attend schools on a regular basis, wearing hand me down clothes, hungry and plagued by illness because of lack of health care, all too often, they are unfairly, unnecessarily, held accountable for their parent's actions.
For more regarding the subject of children and homelessness, I highly recommend Jonathan Kozol's, Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America
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LibraryThing member imtanner2
Jackson is finishing 5th grade and ives with his very supportive family and has some very good friends. But he also has something of a secret. His family is teetering on the edge of homelessness and Jackson is pretty upset about it. His imaginary friend, Crenshaw has returned to help him out. I
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liked this one a lot because even though it has this big thing about homelessness, if you were reading this with kids, you could substitute just about any other big issue to talk about and it would work, because Crenshaw's big theme is "Tell the truth". I think this one is going to ring through loud and clear with lots of kids. Show Less
LibraryThing member librarian1204
Crenshaw is an imaginary cat friend who only appears when he is needed. Jackson needs him, but is reluctant to admit to that fact. Last time Crenshaw showed up was when Jackson and his family were homeless, living in their van. Jackson's gut tells him that once again this is going to happen.
Very
Crenshaw is a smart and sassy adult sized cat, who challenges Jackson to "tell the truth to the person who matters most".
There is hope in the ending, and I was glad for that, if only for the students reading it, who needed a happy ending. And yes, I am aware of those readers who know that for some homeless kids, there may not be a happy ending. An excellent classroom read aloud with potential for good discussion.
Jackson's desire to be a scientist and the animal facts that are interwoven into the story would also be a jump start for more reading or a writing prompt.
Very
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well done elementary book, about the realities of life for families that are in crisis. Crenshaw is a smart and sassy adult sized cat, who challenges Jackson to "tell the truth to the person who matters most".
There is hope in the ending, and I was glad for that, if only for the students reading it, who needed a happy ending. And yes, I am aware of those readers who know that for some homeless kids, there may not be a happy ending. An excellent classroom read aloud with potential for good discussion.
Jackson's desire to be a scientist and the animal facts that are interwoven into the story would also be a jump start for more reading or a writing prompt.
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LibraryThing member benuathanasia
I almost cried. I held back. But I almost cried. This book reminds me greatly of my own childhood and I feel many children can relate. I've started "selling" this book at work - up-talking it as an appropriate read-aloud since so many of my students come from homes where money and lack of food is a
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constant stress. Show Less
LibraryThing member kmann63
It's actually a pretty sad book about a boy named Jackson and his family who can never seem to make ends meet. His dad has MS and can no longer work and his mother is a music teacher that got laid off and hadn't been able to find another teaching job since. So, she works three jobs. Waitressing,
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working at the drug store, whatever she can find... Although times are tough for his family, Jackson's parents act as if nothing is wrong even as they are evicted and end up living in their van for periods of time. Jackson deals with his feelings by talking with his imaginary friend, Crenshaw. He's a seven foot tall talking cat! There's some silly moments and sort of a happy ending. Crenshaw shares many words of wisdom and moments of reflection for Jackson. It wasn't the type of fantasy book that I thought it would be, but it was still a good read. It teaches compassion and understanding for others, and that's always a good message in my opinion. Show Less
LibraryThing member misshiss
Awesome book about homelessness and the way one child copes with it.
LibraryThing member lissabeth21
Jam-packed with real life, Crenshaw delivered! It's very difficult to engage kids in conversation about those less fortunate, the concept is sometimes just too foreign. This book does a beautiful job of bringing hard times and homelessness to life in an approachable and appropriate manner; making
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for really meaningful conversations. Show Less
LibraryThing member DavidNaiman
Another great story by Katherine Applegate about family and friendship. While well-written throughout, this book took a while to build. But the last quarter of the story packed an emotional punch that was well worth the wait. The characters were wonderfully fleshed out. The anxiety that Jackson
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endures due to the many disruptions in his life caused by the financial hardships his family faces will no doubt resonate with readers young and old. Show Less
LibraryThing member strandbooks
Penelope kept telling me about the book Crenshaw that her teacher was reading to the class. She said it was about an imaginary cat and a family experiencing homelessness. I decided to read it so we could talk about it.
Phew! This is NOT The Boxcar Children (which Penelope thought was too boring by
I know these stories are good to give perspective on life challenges, but after Wonder, Lemons, and Crenshaw I could handle a good ol' Ramona Quimby (also deemed too boring by Penelope).
Phew! This is NOT The Boxcar Children (which Penelope thought was too boring by
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chapter 2). The story is told by a fifth grader Jackson who is worried that his family is going to be evicted from his apartment. His dad no longer works construction due to MS and his mom works multiple part time jobs. When he was in 1st grade they lived out of their van and his imaginary friend, Crenshaw, was there to help him out. Now Crenshaw is back as he goes through his new struggles.I know these stories are good to give perspective on life challenges, but after Wonder, Lemons, and Crenshaw I could handle a good ol' Ramona Quimby (also deemed too boring by Penelope).
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Awards
Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Nominee — 2018)
Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee — 2017)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2018)
Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist — Grades 4-6 — 2017)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2017)
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2018)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Junior — 2018)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2018)
Bluestem Award (Nominee — 2018)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2018)
California Young Reader Medal (Nominee — 2019)
Iowa Children's Choice Award (Nominee — 2018)
North Carolina Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
NCSLMA Battle of the Books (Elementary — 2020)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Elementary — 2018)
Golden Archer Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2018)
Golden Poppy Book Award (Winner — 2015)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2018)
Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Nominee — 2019)
Lectio Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
Magnolia Book Award (Winner — Grades 3-5 — 2018)
E.B. White Read-Aloud Award (Honor Book — 2016)
Charlotte Huck Award (Recommended Book — 2016)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Intermediate — 2017)
Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Book (Intermediate — 2016)
Nerdy Book Award (Middle Grade Fiction — 2015)
Idaho Battle of the Books (Elementary — 2023)
Great Texas Mosquito List (2017)
Pages
256
ISBN
1250043239 / 9781250043238