Comments (20)

Community comments are the opinions of contributing users. These comments do not represent the opinions of Skokie Public Library.
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Jan 29, 2024Nursebob rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
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…
May 11, 2020Edwamau rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Jackson, who is 11 years old, starts to see the signs that his family maybe in trouble and soon homeless. This is a wonderful book for grades 3-6 (and even older) to read and discuss how some people become homeless and how it affects the…
Apr 23, 2020
I am a big fan of using analogies to explain things that are hard to deal with and put into words. That's exactly what Crenshaw is. A huge imaginary cat showing up at a life changing, hard to understand time in Jackson's life is no…
Apr 20, 2020OPL_KIDS rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Crenshaw is an endearing book about a boy and his imaginary friend. Jackson and his family are going through some hard times. With not enough money for rent or food, the family may have to live in their car again. However, through all…
Sep 18, 2019StarRocks1000 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An interesting read. The middle and end of the book were nice, but not the beginning. Jackson's non-believing personality was a little bit annoying. But other than that, it was great!
Sep 12, 2019HYOJINCHOI77 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
AR Quiz No. 176562 EN Fiction  IL: MG - BL: 3.8 - AR Pts: 3.0
Aug 25, 2019sloanelCPL rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A wonderful little book -- I wish I had a child of the right age in my extended family to warrant buying it as a gift. I like the potential to introduce children to the diversity of financial security that is reality (those children who…
Jun 30, 2019ArapahoeMarcia rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A beautiful book about the power of an imaginary friend during challenging and frightening times.
Oct 03, 2018
"Crenshaw" has been chosen as one of the four Read Brave Saint Paul youth books. When Crenshaw, a giant invisible cat, comes to town, Jackson starts fearing the worst. Last time he saw Crenshaw, Jackson's family was living in their car.…
Aug 24, 2018
a heartwarming story about homelessness, feeling unsafe. and that imaginary friends are not only for kids.
Sep 19, 2016wmtlady rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
K Applegate ably communicates the mixture of emotion and thought that engulfs a tween who sees his family headed for another period of homelessness. The relationship between the parents and children in the family is wholesome and yet very…
Aug 09, 2016ArapahoeKelsey rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Invisible friends--they happen. And they can help us get through some really difficult times in our lives. Meet Crenshaw, the cat--A+ Imaginary Friend
Jul 12, 2016chenrong rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a great book. It was sad and suspenseful, and happy and cheerful. The different parts of the book tells about Jackson's past, and present. A nostalgic book!
Dec 20, 2015samdog123 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. Since his Dad became ill and his Mom lost her teaching job, things have been hard for the family. When Jacks' imaginary friend, Crenshaw, appears Jacks worries that the family will become…
MEDINASTORYTIME
Dec 17, 2015MEDINASTORYTIME rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Good book - JH
Dec 10, 2015wilcar49 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book. It can be pretty heavy stuff for a young reader to handle. As a parent would recommend it strongly for kids and adults. Perhaps, parents and children can use the book have a discussing on topics such as homelessness.
Dec 10, 2015jescar82 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is a very moving book. It is not a depressing book. However, it's not a light read. I recommend it for early middle school age. The book can be used to discuss real world issues such as homelessness and hunger (for more mature…
Nov 29, 2015joywolf83 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The story is simple and really seems like just a small chapter out of the young boy's life. The family is interesting with flaws. None of the flaws are turn offs, instead they help explain the characters thinking and motives for actions.…
Oct 15, 2015BUNBUN1978 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book nice short and sweet, but with a serious tone to the story. Jackson and his family face the threat of being homeless and living in the car. which happened to them a few years before. Jackson old imaginary friend…
carinmilburn
Sep 30, 2015carinmilburn rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
sweet, lovely book about a boy whose family lives with financial, thus food insecurities. Love the cat. Love the boy.