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Crenshaw

Crenshaw is Katherine Applegate’s poignant novel about a boy named Jackson who, facing homelessness, relies on an imaginary giant cat to navigate the harsh realities of poverty and uncertainty.

The Denver Alpha

COLE : Being the alpha of the largest shifter pack in the state isn't easy or glamorous. It takes quick decisions and a level head, and sometimes I have to make ruthless choices for the greater good. It's a constant balancing act, only achieved with the highest level of organization- every aspect of my life is carefully curated. Some say I'm cold. Detached. Controlling. But we'd descend into chaos if I didn't rule with an iron fist, so I do, and my pack falls in line. Little did I know, all it'd take is one girl to upend my life into chaos. One girl who won't bow to me and fall in line with the rest. Juliet is too young, too wild and stubborn. She's the one I want but can never have. ~ JULIET : All my life, I've played a part. The daughter of our pack's former alpha; the sister of its current alpha. The darling of the Westfield pack. The smart girl. The good girl. The pretty girl. Everyone in my life seems to want me to fit a certain mold and behave a certain way, but I just want to be free. That's why I jumped at the chance to get away from home for the first time. Enrolling at the University in Denver is my golden ticket out of my small town; my first real shot at freedom. It's my chance to let loose and have fun away from the watchful eyes of my brother, and it's one I'm not going to waste. I'm going to flirt with boys. Dance the night away. And the Denver Alpha? Now that I've set my sights on him, he doesn't stand a chance. ~ *While this book is connected to the six-pack series universe, it can be read as a standalone*

9.9

43 Chapters

THE ALPHA'S VIRGIN SLAVE : SUBMIT ALPHA IAN'S CURSE

TRIGGER WARNING: Contains sexual content, violence, slavery, and abuse. 18+ only. Read at your own risk. ~ ALPHA IAN ~ I’ve got a stunning wife. But I don’t love her. Hell, I don’t even like her. She’s just there—to be used, by me… and every male I allow. In my pack, power is everything. We share our women. We crush weaker packs for sport. Love? Mates? That’s a fairytale— The Moon Goddess cursed us long ago, and we stopped believing in that shit. But then I raided the Blood Moon Pack… And found her. A filthy little omega. Weak. Fragile. Worthless. She was supposed to be nothing. Yet here I am, obsessed. I can’t stand anyone touching her. I want to tear her clothes off… Grip her thighs and shove myself deep inside her sweet, untouched body. Again. And again. Until she knows who owns her. I want to break her. Mark her. And make her beg for more.

8.9

458 Chapters

Billionaire's Ex-wife is Mommy of Twins

(Under Edits) Their life was a maze. From highschool sweethearts to business rivals, their journey continued till they were tied into a marriage. Oh, contract marriage to be exact. It didn't stop there. They fell in love again, deeply, hardly and madly. But as time passed they got tangled more and more into the maze of fate and that led them to an ugly separation. But they both have something precious with them that the other doesn't know about. What will happen when they will meet again after years with extreme hate for each other? They are determined to destroy the opposite person. But the hell will break when they will see what the other person has with them. Soon they found themselves among questions, hates, jealousy, confusion and danger. They got tangled in the web of maze. Again. But this time they are determined to get out of this maze. Together. But is it really a maze created by fate or someone has the string of their fates...? ___ "Luke? I am going to wash myself. And if possible wash this whole office. Athaliah Williams had come here and polluted this whole place." Aaron said to his assistant while giving Athaliah one last hateful look, he turned around to leave. "One minute, Aaron Knight, listen to me for a moment and listen carefully. If you don't stop messing with my life from now on, I will pollute your whole life in such a way that there will be darkness everywhere. And that's a promise." Athaliah warned in a cold tone returning the hate in full force.

9.6

75 Chapters

The Deserted Bride

She's a talented chef, and he's a famous actor. When their fates collide, what will happen? Audrey Fuentes is in love with her childhood friend and superstar, Shane Vargas. When her parents died in a plane crash, she was forced to live on her own until she was given a chance to be with the man she loves. Shane's parents fly back to the country to attend their wedding, which was arranged for a long time before her parents passed away. Just like any other bride, Audrey was excited to walk on the red carpet and meet up with the man of her dreams at the end of the aisle. What happened on the day of her wedding ceremony was nothing like what she envisioned. Shane left for another country after signing their marriage contract the day before the ceremony. To make things worse, Audrey gets involved in the accident when she's on her way home on the same day. Five years passed, and so Audrey confronted the man. She gathered enough courage to propose an annulment when she returned. Will she be able to completely move on and let go of her love? After several years, her heart still beats so fast whenever she sees him. The problem is, Shane is already head over heels with someone else. Audrey Fuentes is Shane's deserted bride.

9.4

117 Chapters

CAGED: In the dark embrace of my Saviour

What would happen when an innocent girl is sold to a brothel without her consent? Would her saviour provide her the freedom she wants or would she just tumble into another hell? ~~~~~~ Her life would take another turn when she will find out that he has a secret baby and will be forced to be his surrogate in return of her freedom ! ~~~~~~~ (Recommended for 18+)

9.6

110 Chapters

Runaway Wife

After their divorce, Amelia Jenson finds herself plagued by her ex-husband's relentless pursuits. Despite his promises to take care of her for the rest of her life, Amelia knows she could never trust a man like Liam Prescott, let alone allow him to abduct her back into the Prescott family. Faced with Liam's ultimatums, she eventually concedes. Perhaps her husband, regardless of past, present, or future, could only really be Liam. Perhaps she just has to learn to live with it and eventually … him.

6.8

799 Chapters

What Age Group Is 'Crenshaw' Appropriate For?

2 Answers2025-06-28 14:13:15

I've read 'Crenshaw' multiple times, and it's one of those rare books that bridges the gap between middle-grade and young adult audiences beautifully. The protagonist, Jackson, is a 10-year-old dealing with heavy themes like financial instability and homelessness, but the way Katherine Applegate writes makes it accessible for kids as young as 8 or 9. The magical realism element—Jackson's imaginary friend, Crenshaw, a giant talking cat—adds a layer of whimsy that keeps younger readers engaged without downplaying the seriousness of the themes.

Older kids around 12-14 will appreciate the deeper emotional layers, like Jackson's struggle with pride and his family's hardships. The book doesn't talk down to its audience, which makes it resonate with teens too. Parents and educators love it because it sparks conversations about empathy and real-world issues in a way that doesn't feel forced. The language is simple but powerful, making it a great read-aloud for younger kids and a thought-provoking solo read for preteens. It's a book that grows with the reader, offering something new at every age.

How Does 'Crenshaw' Compare To Other Katherine Applegate Books?

3 Answers2025-06-28 18:33:20

As someone who's read all of Katherine Applegate's books, 'Crenshaw' stands out for its raw emotional depth. While 'The One and Only Ivan' tugs at your heart with animal rights themes, 'Crenshaw' hits harder with its portrayal of childhood poverty and imaginary friends as emotional crutches. The writing style is simpler than 'Wishtree' but more piercing—every sentence feels like a quiet punch to the gut. Jackson's struggles with homelessness make this her most socially conscious work yet. Unlike her fantasy-driven books like 'Endling', 'Crenshaw' roots its magic in painful reality, making the imaginary cat feel both whimsical and devastatingly necessary. It's her most mature middle-grade novel to date, blending whimsy and hardship in a way that lingers long after reading.

Is 'Crenshaw' Based On A True Story?

2 Answers2025-06-28 10:52:11

Reading 'Crenshaw' by Katherine Applegate feels like stepping into a world where reality and imagination blur in the most touching way. The story isn't based on a true event, but it captures something deeply real—the struggles of families facing homelessness and the power of imaginary friends as coping mechanisms. Jackson, the protagonist, deals with financial instability, and Crenshaw, his giant imaginary cat, represents both comfort and the harsh truths he's avoiding. The emotional weight feels authentic because Applegate drew inspiration from real-life issues like childhood poverty and housing insecurity. She doesn't claim it's a true story, but the themes resonate with anyone who's faced hardship or relied on creativity to get through tough times. The book's magic lies in how it makes fictional elements feel painfully relatable, like a mix of wishful thinking and stark reality.

The author's note confirms she researched homelessness extensively, particularly its impact on kids, which adds layers of realism. While Crenshaw himself isn't real, the fear, resilience, and love in Jackson's family mirror countless real families' experiences. Applegate's storytelling makes it easy to forget it's fiction—that's the mark of a great book. It's not a biography, but it might as well be a love letter to every kid who's ever needed an imaginary friend to survive.

How Does 'Crenshaw' Help Kids Understand Homelessness?

2 Answers2025-06-28 01:14:58

Reading 'Crenshaw' was a heartwarming yet eye-opening experience. The book tackles homelessness through the eyes of a child, Jackson, who sees his imaginary friend, Crenshaw, return when his family faces financial struggles again. What makes this story so powerful is how it normalizes the fear and uncertainty that come with homelessness without sugarcoating the reality. Jackson's parents try their best to shield him, but kids are perceptive—they notice the small things like eating less, moving frequently, or pretending everything's fine. The imaginary cat, Crenshaw, acts as a coping mechanism, helping Jackson process emotions he doesn’t fully understand.

Katherine Applegate doesn’t just stop at showing the struggles; she highlights resilience. Jackson’s family sticks together, finding humor and hope even in tough moments. The book subtly teaches kids that homelessness isn’t about laziness or failure—it’s often due to circumstances beyond control, like medical bills or job loss. By framing it through a child’s perspective, the story makes complex issues relatable. Kids might not grasp systemic problems, but they understand feelings of insecurity or embarrassment. 'Crenshaw' encourages empathy, showing readers that everyone deserves dignity, no matter their living situation. It’s a gentle yet profound way to start conversations about compassion and socioeconomic diversity.

Why Is 'Crenshaw' A Good Book For Classroom Discussions?

3 Answers2025-06-28 21:51:59

As someone who's seen kids light up during book talks, 'Crenshaw' nails it because it tackles tough themes in a way that doesn’t talk down to them. The story’s about Jackson, a kid dealing with homelessness, but it’s not all gloom—his imaginary friend Crenshaw (a giant cat) adds this magical layer that keeps things hopeful. Classrooms dig it because it sparks debates about reality vs. imagination, poverty, and resilience. Kids relate to Jackson’s pride and fear, and teachers get rich material for discussions on empathy. Plus, the open-ended ending? Perfect for essays about what happens next.

Does 'Crenshaw' Have A Sequel Or Companion Book?

3 Answers2025-06-28 03:52:25

I've been following Katherine Applegate's work closely, and 'Crenshaw' stands as a powerful standalone novel. The story wraps up Jackson's journey with the imaginary cat beautifully, leaving readers satisfied without dangling threads. While there's no direct sequel, Applegate explores similar themes of childhood resilience in 'Wishtree', which feels like a spiritual companion. Her writing consistently tackles tough topics through magical realism, making her books resonate deeply. 'The One and Only Ivan' fans would also appreciate how she balances heavy themes with hope. If you loved 'Crenshaw', these other works offer that same emotional punch with different characters and settings.