Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

A few things about Katherine Applegate:

She was my first author Skype.

She was the first author I ever waited in line for, brought my book up to, and met.

Background:

I'd read THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN to my 4th grade class in 2012 the year the book was published. I read THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN to my next 4th grade class as well. I bought a stuffed Ivan (really a Webkins) for my classroom and my students would make paper outfits for it! I still have this in my library. It sits in the FIC APP section. ;-)

And when I attended the Youth Media Awards in Seattle at ALA MidWinter, and The One and Only Ivan won the Newbery Medal for 2013, a very permanent and priceless memory was etched forever in my reader's/librarian heart.  I remember who was sitting next to me, I remember what I was wearing, and I remember thinking how fortunate I felt to be there.

More:

I attended the Newbery Banquet in Chicago where Katherine accepted her Newbery Medal.

I've recommended IVAN countless times to countless readers -- young and old.

I have referred to it so many times in discussion about reading, and books. It is one of my benchmark books representing a place on my life's timeline -- both as a reader and an educator.

So:

When I learned that Katherine Applegate had another middle grade fiction about to be released, I was very eager to read it.

And that book --Crenshaw -- celebrates its book birthday today!

I am happy to celebrate it here on my blog.

In writing this post, I did not want to give you a recap of the book. Here's why: Part of what made this book so interesting for me was that each page-turn unwrapped a layer of the book, and the more layers I unwrapped, the more I realized what Katherine Applegate had done with this work. Through a very honest and real main character (and an imaginary one as well) Applegate gives the story of a family in crisis -- experiencing hunger, unemployment, homelessness, and uncertainty. And by describing Jackson's family and their story, I began to think that for many, this isn't fiction -- only a harsh, true reality.

Jackson - older brother to sister Robin -- knows more than his parents realize. "I guess becoming homeless doesn't happen all at once," he says on p. 89. Jackson copes with the help of an imaginary friend named Crenshaw, a rather large cat whom he starts to see at various crucial moments.  He is there when Jackson least expects it, at moments that are hard to believe, and at times when a conversation with a friend makes all the difference.

This book is magical and strong, and shows readers the power of a friendship - both the imaginary and the real kind (see character Marisol). Reading it will make educators think of all of the Jacksons in their lives who endure the same hardships each day - -and while in their charge, need the security and care that they can give them.

I also noted that Jackson loved being at his public library during this hard times. On p. 107, Jackson tells that the children's librarian gives him and his sister her sandwich and Ritz crackers --

And from that moment on, Robin decides to be a librarian. (I've bookmarked that page.)

I'm still thinking about and rereading this book. And with more readings, I know I will collect Crenshaw memories -- just as I collected memories from Ivan.

Watch the trailer of Crenshaw here: