Crenshaw

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

Why might imagination and daydreaming be important skills to develop? Does imagination play an important role in fact-based fields like science?  

Teaching Suggestion: Jackson loves science and facts. His determination to uncover factual evidence causes him to dismiss magic, imagination, and dreaming as irrelevant. This becomes problematic when Jackson’s imaginary friend appears and forces Jackson to grapple with the reality of his existence. Consider analyzing imagination and the importance of imagination in science and play. Use the links to further student discussion.

• This 4-minute video explains the importance of daydreaming and imagination.
• This 2-minute video describes the role of imagination and original thinking in Einstein’s approach to science.

Short Activity

Oftentimes children and even adults develop habits or collect items to draw comfort from in times of distress. These items are sometimes called “security blankets” or “comfort objects.” Think about objects or activities that bring you comfort after a difficult day. Use these questions to support your thinking:

• What objects (blankets, toys, etc.) did you use frequently as a child to draw comfort from?
• What clothing items might you wear if you are anxious about a social encounter?
• What are your habits or things you do for fun after a hard day at school?
• What other ways might adults or children draw comfort from their surroundings?

Teaching Suggestion: Crenshaw, Jackson’s imaginary friend, appears unexpectedly when Jackson’s family is experiencing a difficult time. Jackson believes he is too old to be seeing his imaginary friend and is worried about his sanity. It is revealed later in the novel that Crenshaw is something that Jackson draws comfort from, and the imaginary cat appears in times of need. Consider discussing objects of comfort students might have used in the past or use presently.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Have you ever had an imaginary friend? What did/or might your imaginary friend look like? What important role might imaginary friends play?

Teaching Suggestion: Crenshaw appears when Jackson is experiencing stress in his family. Consider discussing imaginary friends with students or times when they have participated in imaginary play. Students who have never had an imaginary friend may speculate as to what their imaginary friend might look like.