Applegate, Katherine. (2015). Crenshaw. New York, NY: Faiwel and Friends.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Lexile Measure: 540L
DRA: 40
AR: 4.0
Summary: Jackson is in the 5th grade and has an imaginary friend, a huge purple cat name Crenshaw. Jack knows Crenshaw is there when purple jellybeans start to appear. Jack is a very observant boy, he notices his dad's sclerosis, the pile of bills, parents whispering, parents arguing, and the selling all of their belongings in garage sales. He wishes his parents will talk to him like an adult. Before they know it the family gets evicted and are living in their minivan, again. Crenshaw appears when Jack feels stressed, he never leaves, his always on call. Jack's best friend Marisol offers him a place to stay until his parents get back on their feet, meanwhile Jack will enjoy having an imaginary friend while he can.
Book Trailer by MacMillan
Reader Response: I was very exited to read this story when I saw a huge purple cat in the cover, I thought it would be more like a fantasy story, but I was wrong. Crenshaw tells the story of so many people that find themselves struggling to keep a place to live, it hits on the subject of homelessness and poverty. Crenshaw gives us a window to see through the world of the working-class poverty, and to admire their determination to move forward. It also teaches us not be afraid, ask for help, and be honest with our love ones. Students reading this book can write about their own imaginary friend they had or have. They can also start a social project to feed the hungry, start a food drive or help the homeless.
Other books by Katherine Applegate:
The book Almost Home by Joan Bauer has a similar subject, homelessness and poverty.
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