Crenshaw

Description: Newbery Medalist Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience. Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. Crenshaw is a large, outspoken--and imaginary--cat. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

Brief description: Katherine Applegate is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of beloved and award-winning books for young readers, including Odder, Home of the Brave, Crenshaw, Wishtree, Willodeen, and The One and Only Ivan, for which she won the Newbery Medal. She is also the author of the Animorphs series, and a beginning reader series, Doggo and Pupper, illustrated by Charlie Alder. Katherine Applegate lives in Southern California with her family.

Review Quotes:

A Publishers Weekly Bestseller

"The tone is warm and, occasionally, quirkily funny, but it doesn't sugarcoat the effects of hunger and vulnerability. This novel adds a middle-grade perspective to the literature of imaginary friends and paints a convincing and compassionate portrait of a social class--the working poor--underrepresented in children's books." --The Horn Book, starred review

"This accessible and moving novel demonstrates how the creative resilience of a child's mind can soften difficult situations, while exploring the intersection of imagination and truth." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Children will appreciate this heartbreaking novel...a compelling and unflinchingly honest treatment of a difficult topic." --School Library Journal, starred review

"...a quick read that encourages people of all ages to be honest with one another and value family and friends (real and imaginary!)" --Booklist