Crenshaw

Applegate, K. (2015). Crenshaw. New York: Feiwel & Friends.

About the Book

Jackson is in the fourth grade. He is a very literal, factual thinker. His imaginary friend Crenshaw a huge black and white cat returns after being gone for many years. Jackson's family is struggling with making ends meet and the possibility of becoming homeless again. Crenshaw helps Jackson during this stressful time realize his true feelings.

Fantasy Evaluative Criteria

Theme - Jackson's imaginary friend Crenshaw returns to help him work through his frustrations and fear of his family becoming homeless again. Jack must learn how to me honest with his feelings about his families situation and how that will affect him. The book lets the reader know that it is okay not to have all the answers but being honest with your family and self will help you deal with hard situations.

Setting - The story bounces around from retelling of situations of living in the family minivan, living in the apartment, and his neighborhood. The author is able to use words to help paint a picture for the reader. One of my favorite parts is when Jackson enters the bathroom to see Crenshaw taking a bath in the middle of the night. When Jackson enters the bathroom he sees a “white stomach rise from the bubbles like a snowy island”, and the description of the bubble beard on the cat is quite humorous.