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Crenshaw
Last updated Saturday, June 3, 2023
Author: Katherine Applegate
Date of Publication: 2015
ISBN: 9781250043238
Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2023
Synopsis:
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?
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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This is a book about a boy whose family is experiencing some hard times. An old imaginary friend returns.
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Have you or someone you know had an imaginary friend? What were they like?
Vocabulary:
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bumbershoot: word used in Great Britain for umbrella.
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reputation: the overall quality or character of a person as seen by others.
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manatee: a large plant-eating mammal that inhabits the warm coastal water of the Florida Gulf of Mexico region. Its gentle nature has caused it to be known as a “sea cow”.
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curmudgeon: a crusty, ill-tempered older man.
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keepsake: something kept and treasured.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Why do you think Crenshaw has reappeared in Jackson’s life? Do you think he is helping Jackson?
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Their mother gives Jackson and his sister a bag to put their keepsakes in. What do you consider a
keepsake?
Readers: Encourage the kids to finish this book. While it doesn’t have a fairy tale “happy ending”,
things do work out fairly well considering.
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| Craft ideas: |
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Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/june-2023-friendship-fun/
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Create an imaginary friend. Is it an animal, a human-like person, an alien, a superhero? Give him or her a
back story so we can know all about them.
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Draw a picture of a place you plan to visit this summer (e.g., amusement park, camping, family visit).
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Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18 th . Make a card for father, grandfather, uncle, etc.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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