This was the worst book I have ever read it had no plot no action and was just bad!!! I had to read it for a school project all I wanted to do was get to the last page! My advice don't waste ur time you'll never get it back.
Criss Cross
(2006, Fiction - Contemporary fiction, Written by Lynne Rae Perkins)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Newbery winner has depth, but no plot; tweens+.
Themes in this book include: dating/crushes
updated 01.28.10
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Criss Cross was written by Matt Berman
Parents need to know that there is not much to worry about here. There is one instance of swearing, and a teen character uses chewing tobacco, which his friends find revolting.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the many little observations and insights in the book.
- How do people connect, or miss connecting?
- What are the moments that push our lives in different directions?
- Is there only one person out there for each of us?
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More on Criss Cross
Book Summary
This book is about one 60s-era summer in the lives of an assortment of very nice small-town teens. Just like a real small-town summer for teens, not very much happens. Life is pleasingly slow and languid. They listen to the radio, wonder about the opposite sex and about themselves, hang out, talk, grow a little, change a bit, come to a few understandings they didn't have before.
That's pretty much it. One boy is inspired by a college coffeehouse to take some guitar lessons in the basement of the church. A girl befriends and helps out an elderly woman. Paths cross, connections are made, or missed. It's real life, lyrically rendered.
Is It Any Good?
CRISS CROSS is an intriguing book, absolutely deserving of major awards. It has no plot, only slightly defined characters who are hard to tell apart or keep track of, no hero or protagonist or clear point of view, no action or suspense or mystery, just a touch of gentle humor. And yet ... it is a deeply lovely book, profoundly observant and wise about the little things in life that most books, children's or adult, ignore, or perhaps don't even notice. So what keeps the pages turning? Is it the gorgeous writing, the penetrating insights, the little bits of philosophy and keen observation?
It's something of a little miracle, really -- the author spends three whole pages describing a boy looking at himself in the mirror, and it's almost impossible to put down. Either this kind of thing grabs you, or it doesn't -- and for most kids age 10 and up, it won't. A few, those with a thoughtful or poetic or mystical bent, will find it enthralling.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, Publication date: 2/21/2006
Number of pages: 337, Price: $16.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 10, Read Alone: 11
Number of pages: 337, Price: $16.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 10, Read Alone: 11
Our Members Say
See 9 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Over all bad!
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Criis Cross is GREAT!
This book was so cool!!!! i love it when peoples' lives intertwine in books! I think Lynne Rae Perkins did a wonderful job not only writing this book, but explaining teenage life! One of the best books I've ever read!
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Kids ages: 13
I rate this title on and give itA truly wonderful work of literature
Set in the 1970s, the story concerns a girl and boy whose paths cross as they embark into adolescence. Two things stood out for me about this book. 1. The language is spare and perfect, and the voice perfectly captures the mind of a twelve-year old, trying to grasp the big picture from the handful of clues their brief life has presented them, so far. 2. For once, a story about tweens or teens in which none of the adults are behaving badly. No addictions, alcoholism, abuse, neglect, intrusion, etc etc. The parents are somewhat peripheral to the kids' lives, as is appropriate for their age, but they know they are there for them. There is an overall sense that life is confusing and plain weird sometimes, but in the end, things work out. Kids may be put off at first by the introspective mode of the storytelling and the somewhat slow pace (and alternation between narrators), but soon they will find themselves drawn into this world. Some readers (adult and kid) have complained initially that "nothing happens," but by the end you realize that a lot has happened. This is a wonderful book that will stay with any reader for a long time.
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I rate this title on and give it
A Must Read Book For All 5-8th grades
In this book i was truly amazed on it was an easy read but excelent. I Loved This Book!
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I rate this title on and give it
It's an amazing adventure for all teens who seek love!!!
This book is one about a girl named Debbie who is looking for love and adventure on her summer vacation. And that's all she wants! When her friend Hector is inspired by a coffee house guitarist, he takes guitar lessons in a church basement. Will Debbie find her one exciting love? And will that love be Hector? Cross your fingers! Find out by checking out the Newbery winner, Criss Cross!!! :)
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