This week, 4th and 5th graders are meeting to discuss Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate (Newbery Award winning author of The One and Only Ivan). In this story, we meet Jackson, a fifth grader, and his family who 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?
As we discuss this story, themes of friendship, family, and resilience surface. And more importantly, Crenshaw opens the door to a discussion of what middle graders (or any of us) can do to help combat childhood hunger and homelessness. Applegate does an excellent job of bringing these issues to the surface without making the book too "heavy".
For a preview of our discussion questions and links to ideas for ways we can help, please click here. Please visit the Grade 4 or Grade 5 page for links to the Crenshaw web site, national organizations that aim to address childhood hunger and/or homelessness, as well as local (Seattle/King County area) organizations that we can support. Let's make a difference!
Happy reading!
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