Criss Cross Book Review

Criss Cross

Lynne Rae Perkins

Review By: Milena Isabal

A circle of teenage friends figure out their destinies as they experience life in a small town in the 60's.

Debbie Pelbry

Hector

Debbie is a creative, smart and courageous teenage girl who loves to read and often thinks of her true love. She wonders about what life will be like when she grows up and how people are maturing around her. She is curious as she grows up.

Hector is a shy teen boy who slowly discovers who he is as he learns how to play the guitar. He is also Debbie's neighiborhood friend and they share the want for a change in their lives during the summer.

Criss Cross takes place in a small mid western town called Seldom. It follows the story of a group of middle school teens that are conflicted about when big things will happen to them. Debbie and Hector are friends who struggle with normal teenager problems, like love, school and finding out who they will become. Hector feels like he figures out a piece of himself when he learns to play the guitar, while Debbie finds something special with a boy named Peter. A necklace plays a significant part in all of the magical moments each character has, helping them to discover who they truly are. Debbie usually spends her time with four friends, Patty, Hector, Lenny, and Phil. They spend summer hanging out in Lenny's dad's pickup truck while listening to the radio. During their summer break, however, Debbie decides to get a job helping an elderly woman. This is when she meets her boss' grandson, Peter, and they share a romantic week together. For Debbie this was the big change in her boring life that she desperately wanted. All of the friends go through their own changes and each grow their own way. The summer ends with a block party, where we see that all of the friends have matured in their own special way. They can start a new school year with better intentions and bigger goals to accomplish.

NEW YORK TIMES
Review of Criss Cross by Milena Isabal

A story of small town teens and how they discover themselves is a good read for any middle schooler. We see how four friends spend their summer together and accomplish new goals for their future when they experience different changes. Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins is a great novel for any classroom library. Teachers, add this to your reading list today!

Librarians R Us - Janet K. - A Review of Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

A 4 out of 5 for Criss Cross! I enjoyed the plot of this book as teens learn to live summer to the fullest and get to know themselves better. I wish some characters where more developed throughout the story. Overall, I would recommend this book to students everywhere!

Teacher Talk- Christina Isabal reviews Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Teachers everwhere, add Criss Cross to your school break reading list! I enjoyed reading about Debbie, Hector and their friends as they mature over the summer months. It is a right of passage story that we recognize and remember from our past. Students can identify with these teenagers as they are currently experiencing the same life questions and feelings in the present. Enjoy!

Book Beat's review of Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Criss Cross was so good I wish it had a sequel! Looking for a novel that can touch your heart? Hoping to read a book that shares a summer of change with you? I have the perfect story. Criss Cross has drama, love, and exhilerating moments that will excite you and feeling glad you took my advice.

Bean the Bookworm reviews Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Criss Cross is a lovely story about Debbie and her four friends and how they experince a typical teenage summer. In their small town the kids live, love and learn as they mature into young adults that have new values. I recommend this book to anyone who want a meaningful story that they can relate to easily. I give a Bean Bookworm grade of 4.5 apples!