Great idea for a book and really well executed. A thoroughly good read. Highly recommended. .

This is a sweet little book. It deals with heavy subjects such as Alzheimer's and lying but in a way that is endearing as opposed to depressing. Cricket’s grandmother (Dodo) is struggling with the onset of dementia and expresses views often that she obviously does not actually believe. Ex: “Love is an illusion.” after her long happy marriage to the love of her life.

I think this book is great for discussion: the family coming to grips with Dodo’s dementia, how Cricket handles it and how they decide to accept each other in the end.

SUMMARY:
Cricket has an active imagination and sometimes it gets her in trouble. She writes a memoir that is less than factual and is having to write it over summer vacation. She is NOT excited about writing something as uninteresting as the truth. Instead she runs away with her beloved grandmother, Dodo. They get into some serious scrapes and go on some exciting adventures that make for a pretty interesting life story.

CONTENT:
Language: mild--”Oh my God!”
Sexuality: none-- Dodo discusses Matisse’s affair and says “Imagine if I had an affair!”
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none--the adults drink wine in a restaurant

Discusses the Big Bang and evolution as a matter of course as opposed to a theory.


THEMES: acceptance, lying, responsibility, stealing

THE BOTTOM LINE: A very sweet book that we are going to use for a 5th grade group read.

STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: We own 2 copies.

READALIKES:
The Great Good Summer
The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit
Absolutely Truly

This was a fun read. Cricket and her grandmother Dodo set out on some summer adventures. Cricket is known for extending the truth. She has to rewrite her "memoir" because she exaggerated what really happens in her life. Her life is pretty entertaining, what with dealing with her fundraising parents, and her slightly wacky grandma. She procrastinates because she feels like her life is not as good as her imagination. Her grandma is dealing with some Alzheimer's and Cricket deals with it gently and in the best ways that she can.
I didn't like they way Cricket's parents treated her. They didn't listen to her and were very much more concerned with their own problems. I loved that Dodo took her under her wing and took her on some great adventures.

I can't say that I loved this one. Sweet enough, I suppose. And the effects of dementia on the entire family is an increasingly timely topic. I just didn't really get into this one. I found Cricket difficult to connect with, her parents frustrating. Neither what I expected nor what I wanted.

Cricket Cohen has an incredibly vivid imagination and isn't afraid to use it, even when she really shouldn't. I loved this story by Catherine Lloyd Burns. As an educator, it was a great reminder to allow children to be who they are and continue to use their imaginations in big ways. As an adult reader, it was a reminder to treat children with respect and value them as human beings. As a reader, I loved this book for the zany adventures, comical situations and realities for children as they grow. The relationship between Cricket and her grandmother was adorable and endearing while the relationship between Cricket and her mother gave the reader an opportunity to examine their own relationships. I think that kids everywhere will love this book as it has hints of non-fiction, adventure, comedy and reality.

Cricket's half-truths get her in trouble with her teacher when, instead of writing a memoir, she writes an imaginative story that she would like to be true. Her parents go away for the weekend and leave her home to rewrite her memoir and keep her eye on her grandmother who seems to be getting more confused and forgetful lately. Cricket's grandmother suggest they go on an adventure so they pack their bags and head out to explore New York City. The trip turns out to be more than Cricket bargained for, but also an eye-opening experience that helps Cricket learn more about herself and her grandmother. Cricket and her grandmother have a beautiful relationship and the way Cricket cares for her is sweet. Both Cricket and her grandmother have spunk and free spirits which is part of what makes their adventure so amusing.

I had a very had time getting in to this book. Even after I realized what was going on, I had a hard time dealing with a character that lied. I thought it was a cute story and I really wish that the author would have found a way to make it clear that it was more imagination than lying sooner. Once I got to know the characters, I liked the story better.