Book Review: Criss Cross By Lynne Rae Perkins
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins is a book that is fun and worth the read. I would say this book is for more mature readers, around middle school age. I say this because each chapter comes from a different character’s point of view, and in one chapter is the necklaces point of view. Jumping from viewpoint to viewpoint could be confusing and a more complex book. I also believe this is a book more for middle school age group because this book is about young adults growing up and maturing. This book was a fun read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a book on many different perspectives.
This book starts in a small town named Seldom and the summer has just begun. There are many characters including; Debbie, Lenny, Hector, Phil and Patty. The main characters are Debbie and Hector but almost every chapter jumps from character to character. The whole book circles on Debbies wish for the summer and that being for something to change, while Hector feels the same way. What they didn’t know was things were going to change and they just don't realize it. Summer starts the same by hanging out with each other in Selden and sitting in Lennys dads truck listening to the radio station, “Criss Cross”. Debbie moves into the front parlor of her house and gets a part time job with Mrs. Bruning. Working there, she meets Peter. Peter is Mrs Brunings grandson and is visiting there for a week and is the time where Debbie experiences some romance. Hectors summer starts by his sister bringing him to a coffee shop where a guitarist plays and he was drawn in. Hector then starts taking guitar lessons at the church and where he meets Meadow. Meadow was also taking guitar lessons, but he was shut down by her because she was into another student taking guitar lessons. This student was a high school football player named Dan. Finally the last character that noticed change was Lenny. Lenny realized that school just wasn’t for him, he enjoyed the more mechanical learning.
The book ends at the neighborhood pig roast where they all were sitting on a roof and they realized that this was an ordinary summer with lots of change. Debbie realizes her wish came true. I really wish I read this book in middle school. As a middle schooler I was never to read any books besides the ones that were required text.
This book and events that happened in the book reflect a lot on experiences I had growing up including; wanting change, wanting independency, rejection, trying new things, fitting in and wanting to discover who I was and what my identity was. Although this book could be confusing changing from different characters perspectives, I interpreted the book by relating to my own experiences growing up. Because I could relate so much to my own experiences, this book was a book that wanted me to keep reading. One thing I learned from all the members on the discussion page is that every person can’t relate to at least one event that has occured in Criss Cross. This is interesting to me because usually a book is based on one perspective and trying to relate just one perspective is hard to do. But being so many different perspectives it let us readers relate and connect with the book.
Debbie in the book was at the time was 14 years old. When I was 14 years old I was struggling to find my identity and who I wanted to be. I wanted to fit in and be like everyone else, not to stand out. Part of the book really stuck out to me and related a lot to what my middle school self related to was when Debbie and Patty change their clothes that their mothers bought them in the rhododendron bush. They took the hems out of the bottom of their pants so they touched the ground and fit in and wore what was considered “cool”. I was not the type of person that wanted to be noticed and wearing what everyone else wore and whatever style was in at the time is what I did to blend in just like Patty and Debbie.
In summary, this book is a good book but can be more challenging for younger readers. Debbie and Hectors wish of wanting change came out of their ordinary summer and they didn’t even realize it until they reflected on their summer. Interpreting the book was easy because there is at least one event in the book that any reader whom have experienced adolescence can relate to. I could relate to this book a lot and is why it was so enjoyable. Criss Cross met and even exceeded my expectations.
