Wednesday, November 28, 2007

CRISS CROSS
by Lynne Rae Perkins

1. Bibliography:
Perkins, Lynne Rae. CRISS CROSS. Danielle Ferland. 2006. New York: HarperChildrensAudio; Unabridged edition (May 2, 2006) ISBN 978-0061161193

Lynne Rae Perkins is the author of several novels, including her most recent Newberry Award winning book, Criss Cross. She enjoys working in her studio, being with friends, watching her kids grow, and watching her husband, Bill, chase their dog around town.(PerkinsP

http://www.lynneraeperkins.com

2. Plot Summary
The story does not have a plot but it is about teens and their daily lives in the summer in a small town. The story is narrated from Debbie’s point of view as well as Hector’s point of view, with very little action or drama. A group of teen’s paths cross with one another and they also interact with others who live in the town. They listen to the radio, Debbie learns to drive from her friend Phillip who is Grossie’s Grandson. Questions arise about the opposite sex and about themselves. They hang out, talk, grow a little, change a bit, come to a few understandings they didn't have before. Hector is fourteen and he is inspired by a college coffeehouse to take some guitar lessons in the basement of the church and writes songs with humorous lyrics. Debbie is fourteen and she volunteers to help out an elderly German woman named Grossie. Paths cross, connections are made, or missed.
3. Critical Analysis
The book received the John Newberry Medal and it is written for children grades 6 - 9. The audio tape is read as the book is written and the slipcase is a replica of the book cover. There are 5 CD’s that consisted of chapters and it is unabridged. The audiobook was 5 ½ hours of reading. The text was clear in the pronunciation of words and could be easily understood. Danielle Ferland, a female adult, narrated the story and would attempt to change her expressions or tone of voice as she read the thoughts and conversations of the teens. The CD’s do not begin with an introduction but end with information from HarperChildren’s Audio hoping that the story was enjoyed and how to locate additional information on Harper Children’s Audio Publishing.
There were no sound effects or musical soundtracks but the descriptive vocabulary of sounds such as a “train” or “vacuum” gave me a visual image of the object being described. The vocabulary was very descriptive throughout the story, helping me to relate to the teens and their life’s experiences.
The story would be more enjoyable to listen to if an adult narrated the story and teens read their parts to avoid the mono-toned voice of a single reader. I was slow to engage in areas of the story and often had to rewind to stay focused on the reading. It was difficult to capture my attention and maintain it. Portions of the story depicted teen humor such as Debbie learning to drive and Hector playing his guitar and singing the songs he had written. Grossie, Phillip’s Grandmother spoke German which added to the reality of the story and a diverse society. Hector attempted to cross the street in flip-flops as he was dressed for his first show at a luau. One flip flop came off in the street and a car ran over it. When he picked up the flip flop, he found Debbie’s necklace smashed in the asphalt. The necklace had been passed to different teens in the story. I definitely related to real life experience of my own as two of my children are teens and the third will soon be one also. The book did not provide depth or breadth with a strong storyline but teens would enjoy the audiobook and relating it to their own experiences and friendships.

4. Review Excerpts

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 6-9–The author of the popular All Alone in the Universe (HarperCollins, 1999) returns with another character study involving those moments that occur in everyone's life–moments when a decision is made that sends a person along one path instead of another. Debbie, who wishes that something would happen so she'll be a different person, and Hector, who feels he is unfinished, narrate most of the novel. Both are 14 years old. Hector is a fabulous character with a wry humor and an appealing sense of self-awareness. A secondary story involving Debbie's locket that goes missing in the beginning of the tale and is passed around by a number of characters emphasizes the theme of the book. The descriptive, measured writing includes poems, prose, haiku, and question-and-answer formats. There is a great deal of humor in this gentle story about a group of childhood friends facing the crossroads of life and how they wish to live it. Young teens will certainly relate to the self-consciousnesses and uncertainty of all of the characters, each of whom is straining toward clarity and awareness. The book is profusely illustrated with Perkins's amusing drawings and some photographs.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile
Perkins's novel, a thoughtful, subtle character study in which paths cross in unexpected ways, is told through vignettes from mostly teen points of view. Perkins's humorous and poignant observations about Debbie, who wants something to happen, and Hector, who learns to play guitar, are compelling. Danielle Ferland remembers her own youth well or has hung out with teenagers recently. Her portrayal of their budding self-awareness bordering on self-consciousness is especially sharp, and she perfectly mimics the questions? teens ask when talking? in addition to their sarcastic downturns and flat tones. Ferland also easily navigates the potentially treacherous waters of Perkins's sometimes- experimental prose, which includes haiku, poetry, and Q & A formats. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From The Horn Book

Like a lazy summer day, the novel induces that exhilarating feeling that one has all the time in the world.

From ALA Booklist

Perkins writes with subtle, wry humor about perceptive moments that will speak directly to readers.

Connections: Play the Audio tape a few chapters at a time to teens. Discuss the lives of each character and how their paths cross during the story. Create a reader’s theatre using the characters and a narrator in the script. Introduce the children to the book and encourage reading the book to compare to the Audio tape.


Additional works by Lynne Rae Perkins include:
ALL ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE
THE BROKEN CAT
HOME LOVELY
CLOUDS FOR DINNER

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