Crenshaw by Katerine Applegate*

Jackson loves science and facts.  Jackson is logical.  In his world everything has a logical explanation.
Two areas in his life, however, he cannot resolve with facts and logic.

• Why did their family run out of money and have to live in their mini van for fourteen weeks when he was seven years old?
• Why did a huge cat show up during that time?  After researching, Jackson realized that Creshaw, the cat, was his imaginary friend.

Jackson is now going into fifth grade.  He is used to their apartment and being hungry most days.  The family is preparing for a yard sale to sell most of their possessions in order to pay for rent.  Then Crenshaw shows up again and will not leave Jackon's side.   Jackson is fearful that history will repeat itself.

I loved this book.  It revealed another side of homelessness and poverty stricken families that I had not really considered.
Ms. Applegate writes beautifully and develops Jackson as a character well.
Creative layout-Crenshaw's silhouette appears on various page edges throughout the book.  The main color on the book cover is purple which the reader will understand once the book is read.
*Highly recommend.
Borrowed from library.
Points to discuss/warnings: homelessness, lying The dad has MS.  Jackson shoplifts two times.
Text set (use to build schema and/or make Text to Text connections):

1. The Adventures of Beekle The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
2. Yard Sale by Eve Bunting
3. Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting