Criss Cross

Debbie wishes something would happen. Something good. To her. Soon. In the meantime, she mostly hangs out with her friends: Hector, Patty, Lenny, and Phil. Their paths cross. Their stories crisscross. A lot can happen in a summer. And in Lynne Rae Perkins’s remarkable book, these teens and their wishes grow up. Illustrated throughout with black-and-white pictures, comics, and photographs by the author.

[add to award list]

ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice

Kirkus Reviews Editors’ Choice

Horn Book Fanfare Book

Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts

CCBC Choice Selection

Bank Street Best Book

New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

[quotes]

A poignantly funny coming-of-age story. -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Like a lazy summer day, the novel induces that exhilarating feeling that one has all the time in the world. -The Horn Book (starred review)

[A] gentle story about a group of childhood friends facing the crossroads of life and how they wish to live it. -School Library Journal (starred review)

[A] quirky, delightful novel. -KLIATT (starred review)

It’s hard to write a book this good. Lynne Rae Perkins makes it seem easy. -Kevin Henkes, author of Newbery Honor Book Olive’s Ocean