Crenshaw

I grew up happy and loved, but we didn't always have a lot of money. I didn't know that until I was an adult, reflecting on my childhood. It was always fun for us to spend summer vacation days at the library, but I later understood it was free daycare. I didn't play with a lot of toys, but I read a lot of books. Anyone who grew up without a lot of money understands that everyone finds a way to still have fun, and it usually involves developing an active imagination. 

In Katherine Applegate's middle grades novel, Crenshaw, we meet Jackson. His family is facing financial struggles which kicks Jackson's imagination into overdrive. He begins to see Crenshaw, a larger-than-life cat everywhere he goes.

Crenshaw provides Jackson exactly what he needs during this time, a friend to help him make sense of his family's new normal. For that reason, this is an important book for educators.

Experienced teachers know and new educators will learn that in the course of the 180 days of a school year, you will have students who will experience drastic changes in their home life that is likely to manifest in ways that are so overwhelming for students that they won't know how to cope. The great thing about MG fiction is that kids can learn how to manage their emotions by employing deep reading skills.

If you'd like to know more about using deep reading in your school, contact me.