 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Criss Cross
- By Lynne Rae Perkins
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Newbery winner has depth, but no plot; tweens+.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
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.
What families can talk about
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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- Teens & kids
AGE
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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AGE
A 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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AGE
Criss Cross is a beautifully written story of a group of small town teens that learn about life and love one summer. There is no plot, but that is just part of what makes it so special. It is a very deep book, and it is better to read it once you are older than thirteen to fully appreciate it. It is a very accurate portrayal of real life in that nothing happens. But it is a book that you will find yourself reaching for over and over again. There is one instance with the s- word, one with the a- word, and one with the h- word, but they are very brief. There is another iffy spot where one of the characters chews tobacco at fourteen years old. Again, this part is brief. All in all, Criss Cross is an amazing book that will make you see the beauty in everyday things. It is a must read!
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AGE
Great book about early teens finding who they are
This is a great book for ages 11+ it's a little confusing..but in the end it is worth it! I enjoyed reading this book and relating to the characters..great book.
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AGE
OMG I love this book
I love this book it is amazing how the power of love can trick you or amaze you i love this book because it is relateable to. I think this is what most teens think about love.
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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
Nothing really happens, but don't let that stop you!
This is an excellent way to introduce young readers to Criticism and post modern works. While some readers may dislike the book because there is no big climax, "Criss Cross" is a work with very relatable characters that any tween can understand. While anyone older than 15 may find this book boring, it'd probably be due to their age and how the book so accurately portrays them. There is such thing as being too close to a subject!
Consider this book if you're looking to talk about the 1970s, about growing up, or teachers, use this post-modern work as a great introduction. So what if nothing really happens? Isn't that an accurate portrayal of real life?
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AGE
Over all bad!
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.
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AGE
Started reading it when I was 10
It was absolutley beautiful.
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| Author: | Lynne Rae Perkins |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
| Publication date: | February 21, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 337 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 10 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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