Editorial Content for Crenshaw

Since I was an only child with a penchant for making up stories, my imaginary friends brought me hours of delight and distraction. And then one day, I just stopped talking about Sinky and his bike riding expertise or Jenny, my imaginary equivalent of an inseparable best friend. 

My point is, CRENSHAW by Katherine Applegate --- about a young boy who finds a friend and hope in an imaginary skateboarding cat --- hit home. And it should for many others (and not just 20something book reviewers). Most of us had an imaginary friend at some point, usually to blame things on when a mess was made or something was broken.

Or, in the case of our main character, Jackson, imaginary friends appear sometimes when things get a little tricky. Jackson's family is struggling. There's not much money for food or rent and it looks like the family of four --- plus their dog, Aretha --- might have to live in their van again.

That would mean giving up everything that Jackson loved about his home, in addition to all of his things that they sold at a garage sale to make money. 

Just when things are looking glum, Crenshaw appears. Jackson hasn't seen Crenshaw since they had last lived in the van and even then, he isn't sure why he's appeared. You see, Jackson isn't very imaginative. He likes facts and things that can be proven. He wants to be an animal scientist when he grows up and study something like bats. He doesn't want or need the humongous and loud skateboarding, purple jelly bean-eating, bubble bath-taking cat. He doesn't even like cats. 

Written in simple and beautiful prose, CRENSHAW will cement its spot on many bookshelves as a beloved story to be shared and reread forever.

But Crenshaw insists that he can't leave until Jackson is okay and at first, Jackson thinks he's okay if not a little overwhelmed. And as this short little book unfolds, we see exactly why. Despite his parents' best effort to hide their financial troubles, money is tight. Jackson's dad has MS --- a disease that makes it hard for him to work --- and his mom was let go from her teaching job. Food is stretched into as many meals as they can get and they didn't have any money to send Jackson to soccer camp like the rest of his friends. 

Jackson tries to look on the bright side, focusing on his dog-walking business with his best friend or playing with his younger sister. He tries not to think about how hungry he is or how scared he is to live in the van again. 

It turns out that Crenshaw is a good distraction, and not just for Jackson. This book is a beautiful escape for readers of all ages. It will make you feel nostalgic for the days when imaginary friends were your greatest joy and you didn't have to worry about what your parents were worrying about. 

Written in simple and beautiful prose, CRENSHAW will cement its spot on many bookshelves as a beloved story to be shared and reread forever. It's truly magical. I loved Jackson. I loved his story and I loved how true it felt. I didn't want the book to end and after reading the captivating first chapter, you won't either. 

This book was truly incredible and excellently told. An instant and modern classic, for sure. I cannot wait for kids of all ages (and adults) to meet Crenshaw and Jackson. You'll find a story with a lot of heart and it will no doubt stay with you long after you finish. I hope that people get an amazing story out of it but also understand the diversity of experience. That homelessness can creep up on people. That the status doesn't just belong to people in cities. That anyone can be struggling and starving and that sometimes, all you need is a distraction and some hope to make it even the tiniest of bit better.

I hope that for the many kids living in situations that their friends and neighbors might be unaware of, this book helps. And that maybe it teaches a kid who can never imagine going hungry or living in a van something. Books have to serve that purpose. They have to entertain, yes, but they also have to teach. And I think CRENSHAW did an amazing job of both. It's a beautiful book. I hope you enjoy it.