This was a sad story because this story is true for so many families and those numbers increase every year. i love that Crenshaw helps Jackson deal with all the things his family is going through. I loved the ending; it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows but it was realistic. ( )

Who says that an imaginary friend is not real?

I am sure they are the same as say there is not now, nor never was a Santa Claus. No faeries, no dragons, elves or wizards. That good, hard working people never lose their homes. That smart children who are obedient and helpful will never have to sleep in a van. Whoever they are have no clue.

[b:Crenshaw|23310699|Crenshaw|Katherine Applegate|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424456287s/23310699.jpg|42864821] by [a: Katherine Applegate|1036736|Katherine Applegate|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1269837168p2/1036736.jpg] is a must read for every child, no matter their age.

"Sometimes adults make mistakes..." especially when they do not communicate with their children. Kids are pretty smart.

I was moved emotionally by this story, I laughed and cried, and then smiled.

Families who have experienced the rough patch of homelessness, or living in poverty housing will be served by sharing this with their children. Anyone compassionate for those who fall on hard times, will be served by reading "Crenshaw."

It is available in the children's department of our Library. ( )

good, sweet read. I thought it would be more in-depth YA lit, based upon this was the author of One & Only Ivan, but didn't really build the characters....I think I wanted it to be longer even for YA. ( )

A little boy constantly living on the brink of homelessness and his giant cat familiar who may or may not be entirely imaginary. In the hands of some authors this could have been a sappy heart-tugger but Applegate treads that fine line between "precious" and "precocious" to give us a beautiful tale of growing up and growing wiser that doesn't talk down to its young audience. Very funny and often poignant, this is a one-sitting read with something to say to readers of all ages. ( )

It's a really great book, but I found it unbearably sad. Jackson's family is caught in a cycle of homelessness, and Applegate taps into pure empathy at the horrifying helplessness of that state. I do think that Crenshaw, giant black and white imaginary friend cat, like Totoro, adds a joyful surrealness to the story, but for me it was all too realistic, and very low on hope. ( )