Crenshaw

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“My Imaginary Friend”

In this activity, students will design an imaginary friend and customize the creature with character attributes that might help them in a time of need.

Jackson is reluctant to acknowledge the presence of Crenshaw because he likes science and facts. Crenshaw, Jackson comes to realize, is important in providing Jackson with aspects of his personality he has neglected or ignored such as imagination, comfort, and on occasion, accountability. It also becomes clear that Crenshaw reflects aspects of Jackson’s own personality. Consider difficult circumstances you have experienced in your own life. Use visual media to create your own version of an imaginary friend and develop a written description of your imaginary friend’s character attributes. Use the questions below to guide your thinking.

• What will your imaginary friend look like? Consider the type of animal/creature, its colors, texture, and other physical attributes.
• In what way will your imaginary friend offer comfort or distraction? Will it be silly, serious, nurturing, or have other attributes?
• How might your imaginary friend hold you accountable for things you’d rather forget?
• When would your imaginary friend become visible?
• How will your imaginary friend reflect your personality?
• What special features of your imaginary friend will you be able to draw comfort from?

Share your imaginary friend with peers, highlighting its physical and character attributes.

Teaching Suggestion: It may be helpful for students to brainstorm the physical and character attributes of Crenshaw prior to developing their creations. Consider allowing peers to reflect in small groups on character attributes they would like to see in their own imaginary characters.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge can analyze the attributes Crenshaw has that implicitly inform the reader about Jackson’s character. Consider asking students to create an infographic about Jackson and his characteristics. Students who struggle with writing could be encouraged to join interest centers, so that those who would like to focus on specific writing skills, such as structure or description, can work together.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Jackson explains his perspective on stories when he states, “Stories are lies, when you get right down to it. And I don’t like being lied to.” (9)

• Why does Jackson believe stories are lies, and why does he seem to take them personally? (topic sentence)
• Cite three examples where he states his dislike for stories and explain his reasoning. Provide textual evidence to support your statement.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize why Jackson’s personality leads him to dislike stories.

2. Jackson has complicated feelings surrounding his parents, but as the novel progresses, he begins to view his parents in a new light.

• In what ways does the relationship between Jackson and his parents change in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Compare the way Jackson thinks about and interacts with his parents at the beginning of the novel and the novel’s conclusion.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what becomes the catalyst for the changing relationship between Jackson and his parents.

3. After Jackson explains Crenshaw to Marisol she says, “Fun fact, Jackson. You can’t see sound waves, but you can hear music.” (214)

• What does Marisol mean by her statement to Jackson? (topic sentence)
• Describe how Marisol’s comment challenges Jackson’s understanding of observable reality. Then describe at least two events that Jackson is unable to explain in the novel.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Marisol’s statement relates to the novel’s theme of Coping with Unpredictability and the Unknown.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. Crenshaw appears to Jackson twice while his family is struggling financially. Consider the differences between Jackson’s reaction to Crenshaw in the minivan and his reaction to Crenshaw while living in his apartment. In a well-developed essay, provide at least three main similarities or differences between the two separate appearances. Cite evidence from the text and explain why Jackson feels differently about Crenshaw in their later interaction.

2. Financial difficulties place a considerable strain on the members of Jackson’s family. In an essay of at least three main points, describe the way poverty influences the behaviors and interactions of Jackson’s family members. Support your response with quotes from the text.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Both Jackson and Robin surround themselves with objects and people to help them find comfort during a difficult time. Which of the following is described by Robin as something that brings her comfort?

A) Crenshaw

B) Aretha

C) Jackson

D) Marisol

2. Based on Jackson’s description of Tom, which best describes Tom’s feelings while living in the minivan with his family?

A) Ashamed

B) Pessimistic

C) Unbothered

D) Proud

3. Which statement best summarizes the differences between Jackson and his family members?

A) Jackson has a vivid imagination while his family is more rational.

B) Jackson values stability while his family members enjoy uncertainty.

C) Jackson is practical while his family is whimsical.

D) Jackson ignores problems while his family members create solutions.

4. What is something Jackson does because of financial hardship that he otherwise likely would not do?

A) Play soccer

B) Read

C) Comfort Robin

D) Steal

5. What causes Jackson’s imaginary friend to appear?

A) The stressful circumstances surrounding his family’s financial and housing instability

B) Traumatic flashbacks in which he recalls being unhoused

C) Jackson’s maturing and healing imagination

D) Resentment over not being able to play soccer

6. What do “raccoon invasions” symbolize to Jackson in the novel?

A) Difficulties with school bullies

B) Unexpected problems at home

C) Disagreements among teachers

D) Sleeping in the city park with his family

7. What is the effect of the lack of communication between Jackson and his parents?

A) He must learn to provide a solution to their financial difficulties on his own.

B) He runs away to Marisol’s house, leaving his parents to struggle alone.

C) He does not trust his parents to make the right decision for his future.

D) He becomes increasingly worried about their financial stability.

8. What about Jackson’s personality makes it unlikely he would see Crenshaw?

A) He is too old to have an imaginary friend.

B) He is allergic to cats and prefers dogs.

C) Jackson prefers facts and science.

D) Jackson does not need friends.

9. How does Jackson’s perspective on Crenshaw change throughout the novel?

A) Jackson first attempts to ignore Crenshaw but eventually embraces the cat’s comforting presence.

B) Crenshaw’s presence seems natural at first but becomes more sinister as Jackson ages.  

C) Crenshaw amuses Jackson with his first appearances but then becomes an important instructor.

D) Jackson is at first pleased to see Crenshaw but becomes resentful of the cat’s trickster games.

10. Which best describes the role Crenshaw plays for Jackson in the novel?

A) He shows Jackson a plan to help his parents.

B) He makes friends with Jackson to teach him to be imaginative.

C) He leads Jackson away from his family’s financial struggles.

D) He acts as a conscience, comforter, and encourager.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating textual details to support your response.

1. Why does Crenshaw believe Cats are superior to dogs? What evidence does he use to support his claim?

2. In what way does Jackson emulate his parents’ behavior when addressing being unhoused with Robin? Why does he alter his behavior in this way?