In this acclaimed, award-winning, and timeless national bestseller, Newbery Medalist Lynne Rae Perkins explores the crisscrossing lives of four teenagers on the verge of adulthood. The unique format incorporates short vignettes, haiku, Q&As, and illustrations by the author. Written with love and humor, Criss Cross is an unforgettable story of friendship, family, and growing up.
âItâs hard to write a book this good. Lynne Rae Perkins makes it seem easy.ââKevin Henkes, New York Timesâbestselling author of the Newbery Honor Books Oliveâs Ocean and The Year of Billy Miller
âBrilliantly captures the adolescent-level Zen that thoughtful kids bring to their assessment of the world.ââBulletin of the Center for Childrenâs Books (starred review)
âBest of all are the understated moments, often private and piercing in their authenticity, that capture intelligent, likable teens searching for signs of who they are, and who theyâll become.ââALA Booklist (starred review)
âWritten with humor and modest bits of philosophy, the writing sparkles with inventive, often dazzling metaphors.ââKirkus Reviews (starred review)
âLike a lazy summer day, the novel induces that exhilarating feeling that one has all the time in the world.ââThe Horn Book (starred review)
âA gentle story about a group of childhood friends facing the crossroads of life and how they wish to live it. Young teens will certainly relate.ââSchool Library Journal (starred review)
Lynne Rae Perkins was awarded the Newbery Medal for Criss Cross. She is the author of five other novelsâAll Alone in the Universe, As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth, Nuts to You, Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea, and Violet & Jobie in the Wild. Lynne Rae Perkins has also written and illustrated several acclaimed picture books, including Frank and Lucky Get Schooled, The Broken Cat, Snow Music, Pictures from Our Vacation, The Cardboard Piano, Wintercake, and The Museum of Everything. The author lives with her family in northern Michigan. lynnerae.com