Crenshaw

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

Jackson's family is in a financial crisis when his imaginary friend who is a cat named Crenshaw appears to him.  Jackson's dad is sick, they are selling their furniture at a garage sale, and have just days to pay their overdue rent.  Crenshaw helps Jackson deal with his feelings and encourages him to talk about his feeling with the people his life.

The theme is love and family is the most important thing in life.  After Jackson’s family loses most of their possessions and their apartments, there is hope.  Jackson needed his imaginary cat friend Crenshaw because he wasn’t able to communicate with his parents about their financial hardships and his feelings about the possibility of being homeless once again.  Once Crenshaw gave Jackson the power of telling the truth, Jackson’s family was able to communicate and be honest.  With the dad getting a new job and the prospect of a small garage apartment to live, the family has hope.  They know that love and family is what is important. 

Jackson is a sensitive and thoughtful fifth grader.  He has an imaginary friend who is a cat named Crenshaw.  Crenshaw is  there to help Jackson to deal with the possibility of Jackson being homeless.  Jackson tries to protect his little sister from knowing about how close his family is from being evicted. He takes care of her by reading her favorite book Lyle.   He and his sister are often hungry.  Jackson has a good friend who he walks dogs with.  He doesn’t let his friend Marisol know about being hungry or how much trouble his family is in.  It is hard for Jackson because he doesn’t want to tell the truth about his feelings to anyone not even himself. He is sad that he has to sell all of the things out of his bedroom.  Instead of running away, Jackson bravely tells his parents how angry he is feeling about their financial situation.  He feels relieved to know that his parents will start being honest with him.  Luckily, his family has a new start in a small apartment and Jackson could be thankful and hopeful. 

Book Trailer:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=crenshaw+book+trailer