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    Crenshaw
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    Crenshaw
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    Crenshaw
    Audiobook3 hours

    Crenshaw

    Written by Katherine Applegate

    Narrated by Kirby Heyborne

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    In her first novel since winning the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.

    Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

    Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

    Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateSep 22, 2015
    ISBN9780399564659
    Unavailable
    Crenshaw
    Author

    Katherine Applegate

    Katherine Applegate is the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for young readers, including the One and Only series, the Endling series, Crenshaw, Wishtree, the Roscoe Riley Rules chapter books series, and the Animorphs series. She lives with her family in Nevada.

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    Reviews for Crenshaw

    4/5

    222 ratings38 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I expected this book to be about an imaginary friend, an imaginary cat. And there was a cat, a giant one named Crenshaw, who happens to be imaginary.It opens really cute with a boy spotting Crenshaw on a surfboard.But the reality of this boy’s life soon enters the story. Crenshaw made his first appearance when Jackson and his family had to live out of their minivan. His parents used to be musicians but his father has MS and his mother now works part-time jobs to get by.And now, a few years later, he’s back again, when things seem to be not going as well. Jackson, who’s heading into fifth grade, wishes his parents would realize that he’s old enough to understand their financial difficulties. Jackson is scared that they have to go back to living in their car again.And Crenshaw, with his cartwheels, splits, and penchant for bubble baths, both helps to distract him and understand their situation.We listened to this audiobook and I was surprised by how much my kids enjoyed it. I had to stop the audiobook here and there just to make sure the 5yo (and sometimes the 8yo) understood what was going on. We haven’t quite read a book like Crenshaw before, one which talked about hunger and poverty and eviction. I had to explain about eviction – and as I did I was thankful that this was something we’ve never had to worry about. Perhaps it was because of this audiobook that I started on my current nonfiction read, Evicted.
    • 4/5
      Jackson and his family have been homeless before and are heading that way again. His father can no longer work full-time because of MS. His mother lost her job as a school music teacher when the budget was cut. I don't think we are aware of how many, many families are one paycheck away from disaster. Jackson likes facts, but the facts aren't helping now. And just like that, Crenshaw, his imaginary (or not-so-imaginary) cat friend comes back into his life to help him cope. Homelessness is an important topic and stories need to be shared in order to help children—and adults—not only develop empathy for this problem, but come together for a solution. Putting it on our school library shelf immediately; wish I had known about it in 2015 when it first came out. Katherine Applegate, you've written a beautifully touching story once again.
    • 3/5
      Penelope kept telling me about the book Crenshaw that her teacher was reading to the class. She said it was about an imaginary cat and a family experiencing homelessness. I decided to read it so we could talk about it.Phew! This is NOT The Boxcar Children (which Penelope thought was too boring by chapter 2). The story is told by a fifth grader Jackson who is worried that his family is going to be evicted from his apartment. His dad no longer works construction due to MS and his mom works multiple part time jobs. When he was in 1st grade they lived out of their van and his imaginary friend, Crenshaw, was there to help him out. Now Crenshaw is back as he goes through his new struggles.I know these stories are good to give perspective on life challenges, but after Wonder, Lemons, and Crenshaw I could handle a good ol' Ramona Quimby (also deemed too boring by Penelope).
    • 4/5
      Another great story by Katherine Applegate about family and friendship. While well-written throughout, this book took a while to build. But the last quarter of the story packed an emotional punch that was well worth the wait. The characters were wonderfully fleshed out. The anxiety that Jackson endures due to the many disruptions in his life caused by the financial hardships his family faces will no doubt resonate with readers young and old.
    • 3/5
      Narrated by Kirby Heybourne. A boy's imaginary friend, a large cat, reappears when the boy is older and coping with the knowledge of his parents' financial problems and their looming homelessness. Heybourne reads with a tone of gentle compassion that suits how the boy is trying to deal with the stress.
    • 5/5
      It's actually a pretty sad book about a boy named Jackson and his family who can never seem to make ends meet. His dad has MS and can no longer work and his mother is a music teacher that got laid off and hadn't been able to find another teaching job since. So, she works three jobs. Waitressing, working at the drug store, whatever she can find... Although times are tough for his family, Jackson's parents act as if nothing is wrong even as they are evicted and end up living in their van for periods of time. Jackson deals with his feelings by talking with his imaginary friend, Crenshaw. He's a seven foot tall talking cat! There's some silly moments and sort of a happy ending. Crenshaw shares many words of wisdom and moments of reflection for Jackson. It wasn't the type of fantasy book that I thought it would be, but it was still a good read. It teaches compassion and understanding for others, and that's always a good message in my opinion.
    • 4/5
      I almost cried. I held back. But I almost cried. This book reminds me greatly of my own childhood and I feel many children can relate. I've started "selling" this book at work - up-talking it as an appropriate read-aloud since so many of my students come from homes where money and lack of food is a constant stress.
    • 4/5
      This book was great! I really would highly recommend for students who need something interesting to read, this will catch their eyes. This book is not like all others which makes it unique. This book contains high vocabulary words that will help the students grow in their vocabulary. This book is a Texas bluebonnet 2016-2017 chapter book. I would not recommend for students 3rd grade or under. Great way to teach students to use their imagination as well.
    • 4/5
      Jam-packed with real life, Crenshaw delivered! It's very difficult to engage kids in conversation about those less fortunate, the concept is sometimes just too foreign. This book does a beautiful job of bringing hard times and homelessness to life in an approachable and appropriate manner; making for really meaningful conversations.
    • 4/5
      Back when he was six, Jackson had an imaginary friend named Crenshaw, an enormous black and white cat. That was when his family was going through a rough time, living out of their minivan. Now, at the end of his fourth-grade year, it looks like those bad times may be returning as his family falls behind in the rent and holds a big yard sale in hopes of paying off some bills. Jackson is too old for an imaginary friend, and way too serious for one -- but nevertheless, Crenshaw is back. Can he help Jackson process the issues his family faces?First of all, the good: I really liked the family dynamics portrayed in this book. Jackson's family is loving but flawed, and that comes across well in the writing. On the other hand, for a book dealing with such weighty issues, this one felt slight to me, not as meaty and satisfying as it could have been. Part of the issue was, I think, that so much of the book is spent describing the past, when I wanted to see more of the present. All in all, a fairly good read if you are interested in this sort of book, but it doesn't pack the same emotional punch as Applegate's Newbery winner, The One and Only Ivan.
    • 5/5
      Jackson is finishing 5th grade and ives with his very supportive family and has some very good friends. But he also has something of a secret. His family is teetering on the edge of homelessness and Jackson is pretty upset about it. His imaginary friend, Crenshaw has returned to help him out. I liked this one a lot because even though it has this big thing about homelessness, if you were reading this with kids, you could substitute just about any other big issue to talk about and it would work, because Crenshaw's big theme is "Tell the truth". I think this one is going to ring through loud and clear with lots of kids.
    • 4/5
      CRENSHAW is a heart-breaking but hopeful story told by fourth grader Jackson about his family and his imaginary cat. Jackson's family has hit some hard times. His dad has MS and his mom has lost her job as a music teacher. There isn't enough to eat and they are getting close to losing their home. When Jackson was in first grade the family lost their home and lived in their mini-van for fourteen weeks until they found their current apartment. While they were living in the van, Jackson met a black and white skateboarding cat that he named Crenshaw. Crenshaw kept him company and was his friend during that difficult time.Now, Crenshaw is back. Seeing Crenshaw is difficult for fact-loving Jackson. He's sure that he is too old for an imaginary friend. But Crenshaw helps him deal with the yard sale they have to sell all of their things but a few keepsakes. While times are hard for Jackson, his sister Robin and his parents, the one thing that isn't missing is the love that they all have for each other. I liked the hopeful ending of the story.
    • 5/5
      Crenshaw is an imaginary cat friend who only appears when he is needed. Jackson needs him, but is reluctant to admit to that fact. Last time Crenshaw showed up was when Jackson and his family were homeless, living in their van. Jackson's gut tells him that once again this is going to happen. Very well done elementary book, about the realities of life for families that are in crisis. Crenshaw is a smart and sassy adult sized cat, who challenges Jackson to "tell the truth to the person who matters most".There is hope in the ending, and I was glad for that, if only for the students reading it, who needed a happy ending. And yes, I am aware of those readers who know that for some homeless kids, there may not be a happy ending. An excellent classroom read aloud with potential for good discussion. Jackson's desire to be a scientist and the animal facts that are interwoven into the story would also be a jump start for more reading or a writing prompt.
    • 4/5
      Jackson's imaginary friend Crenshaw--a giant, surfboarding/skateboarding cat--has shown up again. In the bathtub, surrounded by bubbles. Jackson isn't happy to see him: at 11, he thinks he's way too old for an imaginary friend. Plus, the last time Crenshaw showed up was around the time Jackson and his family got evicted from their apartment and had to live out of their car for awhile, while his dad busked for money to buy food. It's not a pleasant association, and Jackson's worried that Crenshaw's reappearance means that things are about to go south again.This is a sensitive, gentle treatment of a family on the edge of poverty. Applegate is very careful to present all of the really bad stuff as having happened in the past, so that the young reader has some reassurance that the family will be OK this time, too. Recommended.
    • 5/5
      Awesome book about homelessness and the way one child copes with it.
    • 4/5
      This is a good story that is a quick read. It thoughtfully addresses some issues that are tough for young children.
    • 4/5
      This book just broke my heart. It was such a tender story about a young boy whose fear about his family's dire financial situation manifests into a large imaginary cat/friend. The audio was fantastic!
    • 2/5
      I'm so disappointed by this book - I thought it was going to be wonderful, and I just didn't enjoy it much at all. Jackson had an imaginary friend, a cat who walked on his hind legs and talked... the cat disappeared once the hard times disappeared and he got himself a real human friend, then the cat reappears when times get tough again and he is going to lose his human friend, Marisol. Obviously I must have missed something because I read that other people were raving about the book, but I'm just not a fan... I did love the writing of Applegate and some of the lines, but felt like the book spent too much time in the past, when really I wanted to read more of what was happening to Jackson and his family now. If they're struggling to make ends meet, was the bubble bath imaginary too? I just didn't understand the actions of Crenshaw. Maybe I was trying too hard.
    • 4/5
      Crenshaw is another middle-grade book that was suggested for my son's Newbery Club. Katherine Applegate is the author of The One and Only Ivan which won the Newbery a few years ago (during my older son's involvement in the Newbery Club).Jackson is an elementary school boy whose family consists of his mother, his father, his younger sister, Robin and his imaginary friend, Crenshaw. Crenshaw is a large, people-sized black and white cat, who first appeared to Jackson when his family had to live in their van for a period. He disappeared the day that Jackson met his best friend, Marisol, who lived in the new apartment complex that Jackson's family moved into, but has now come back. Jackson's father has MS, and it is hard for him to hold down a job. His mother was fired from her job and is having problems finding another, so both parents have part-time jobs to try to support the family. To Jackson, it seems that his family may again be losing their home.This book had some pretty serious issues for a middle-grade book. Jackson's mother and father seem to be optimists and have not shared their financial worries with their children, but Jackson is smart enough to see the handwriting on the wall, and he wishes that his parents would tell him the truth. As one of his teachers says, he is "an old soul." It really made me think as a parent about the choices that we all make regarding our family situation and how we want to protect our children -- and whether this is the right thing to do. I'm not sure that a child reading the book would necessarily get that from the book, so I think that it is likely the author meant this book to be shared with parents as well.It was a good book, but perhaps not a great book, that dealt with a heavy issue in a thought-provoking and warm way. It was an easy read for my son, and I think we both got different things from it.
    • 5/5
      This is an accomplished author and winner of the Newbery Medal for The One and Only Ivan. Crenshaw is an imaginary cat friend of Jackson. In leaner times when the impoverished family lived in their mini van, Crenshaw appeared to Jackson. Now that he is spotted surfing waves and taking bubble baths, Jackson fears the homeless situation is about to occur once again.When the family continually receives dunning notices for rent, Jackson is afraid, and then angry. Angry that once again life is out of his out of control as a result of parents who cannot provide for their children.There are many wonderful, loving passages wherein Jackson, though angry, is sincerely trying to grasp the situation and to acknowledge that his father is a proud man who does not want to accept help, and who, because of MS, cannot find steady employment. Crenshaw is there to help Jackson. His main contribution is to stay with Jackson and provide guidance regarding telling the truth to his parents regarding his feelings.Told from the perspective of Jackson, this story shines with beauty. It is a five star read!When all personal items, except clothes and mattresses, are sold at a neighborhood yard sale, Jackson mourns the loss of his bed, his light, his board games. In the end, he knows that friendship, where imaginary or real, is the one steady rope that he can hold grasp when the fibers of poverty are difficult and hard to navigate.On a personal level, I volunteered at a local homeless shelter for many years. I saw first hand what poverty does and the loss of identification. Too often, in ignorance people label homeless as a condition brought on by laziness or addiction. In reality, the largest growing number of homeless people are young children. Unable to attend schools on a regular basis, wearing hand me down clothes, hungry and plagued by illness because of lack of health care, all too often, they are unfairly, unnecessarily, held accountable for their parent's actions. For more regarding the subject of children and homelessness, I highly recommend Jonathan Kozol's, Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America
    • 4/5
      Almost a 5 star book
    • 4/5
      Kudos to Katherine Applegate for tackling difficult issues like poverty, hunger and homelessness and making them accessible to young readers through her novel, Crenshaw. While an adult reader could easily have done without the "imaginary friend" subplot, the levity and diversion created by Crenshaw, an extraordinarily large invisible cat with a penchant for purple jelly beans, give the intended audience a friendlier way to approach a hard topic. Still, the tone is somber and the ending, while hopeful, is realistic. Recommended for elementary and early middle school readers. An excellent book for class discussion or book club because kids will want to talk about this.

    • 4/5
      Thursday night I was standing in the brightly colored children's section of the bookstore, I held three books in my hand and knew I could barely afford one. I put back the intriguing The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse and a new book by the beloved Karen Cushman, Greyling's Song. I did that thing that I'd always imagined doing but never dared. I took home Crenshaw and returned it the following Monday.That which piqued my interest was that it was by the same author as The One and Only Ivan, a book I was sure I was going to love and wasn't sure I didn't already own digitally. It also had a boy and a cat on the cover, and was somehow about this cat being able to talk, so therefore slightly magical. I rarely watch movie trailers this day, so I didn't even read the book flap, trusting enough in these previous criteria that the book was worth full retail price.I didn't return the book only because I read it, but also because I didn't really want to own it.Crenshaw was a short and interesting novel about poverty and homelessness from the perspective of a child, Jackson, but also about the line between needing an 'adult' honesty from your parents, sharing in the family problems and being honest not just about problems but about your needs.Crenshaw is the name of an imaginary cat who is at least five feet tall, likes bubble baths and walking on two feet. He was the star-by-proxy and was so enjoyable to read. I could easily see this book being turned into a charming movie, with Cary Elwes voicing him. But I'm biased because of his performance as The Baron in two Ghibli movies.This book isn't very complicated, and yet it is. The main character is ten, and the novel sets out to accomplish a single, complex point: deal with the possibility of being homeless. I will spoil for you the fact that this is done with some fine-feeling and a happy ending, but I won't hash out the details. Whatever you do, do read this, to your child, at the beach, while taking the train to Grand Central.Do it for Jackson or do it for Crenshaw.
    • 4/5
      Writing a children's story that deals with such difficult topics as homelessness and chronic illness is a challenge. I loved the element of an imaginary friend who helps Jackson come to terms with the difficulties of his family's situation.
    • 5/5
      This is such a beautifully written story that helps kids learn to have empathy, to understand strife from a child's perspective, but in a fun imaginative way. Very charming story.
    • 5/5
      I listened to this without my kids. It's so sad but good at the same time.
    • 5/5
      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 between "precious" and "precocious" to give us a beautiful tale of growing up and growing wiser that doesn't talk down to its young audience. Very funny and often poignant, this is a one-siting read with something to say to readers of all ages.
    • 4/5
      This is the second Applegate I've read, after The One and Only Ivan, Like that book, this is deep book for young readers. Where Ivan, the captive gorilla, was melancholic, Jackson, the young boy here, seems on the surface like every other smart somewhat unsatisfied young adult heroes, trying to deal with the return of his childhood imaginary friend, the larger than human sized cat Crenshaw. As such, the book sucks you into what is eventually a very sad but realistic story of family woes. The trappings are fantasy, with hints that keep it right at the edge of whether Crenshaw really exists, but the book is about much more than that. Highly recommended.
    • 3/5
      It's a really great book, but I found it unbearably sad. Jackson's family is caught in a cycle of homelessness, and Applegate taps into pure empathy at the horrifying helplessness of that state. I do think that Crenshaw, giant black and white imaginary friend cat, like Totoro, adds a joyful surrealness to the story, but for me it was all too realistic, and very low on hope.
    • 4/5
      As the threat of losing everything looms over Jackson and his family, an old imaginary friend reappears in his life. Crenshaw says he's there to help, but what can an invisible, human-sized cat do to aid him at this critical point? This compassionately written middle-grade novel of imagination and childhood struggle recalls the agony of a child surviving in a family in crisis and discovering what they need to survive in a chaotic world.