Crenshaw

The first time Crenshaw appears to Jackson, his family is living in their minivan. The second time, Jackson’s family is living in an apartment but facing financial problems. Compare and contrast how Jackson responds to Crenshaw the first and second time Crenshaw appears. Why does he try so hard to send Crenshaw away the second time?

Examine Jackson’s relationship with his parents throughout the book. In what ways does their relationship evolve, and what enables it to evolve?

Though he likes facts, Jackson can look on the bright side and appreciate what he has by recognizing how much worse his situation could be. What does this communicate about facts and why scientists can disagree about them?

Explore the relevance of Blues music to the narrative. What makes it a fitting choice of “hitting-the-road music” for Jackson’s family (96)?

What does Crenshaw mean when he tells Jackson that he needs to tell the truth “[t]o the person who matters most of all” (79)? With whom does Jackson need to be honest, and why is it so essential?

Discuss how poverty impacts the relationships among Jackson’s family members. Use at least four examples from the text in your discussion

In their conversation about Crenshaw, Marisol tells Jackson, “Fun fact, Jackson. You can’t see sound waves, but you can hear music” (214). What does Marisol mean by this, and how does it relate to the novel’s theme of learning to cope with the unknown?

Each of the novel’s three sections begins with a quote from Jackson’s favorite childhood book, A Hole is to Dig: A First Book of First Definitions. Explore how each of the quotes relates to the three respective parts of Crenshaw.