Criss Cross Applesauce

Anyone who has spent anytime in a lower elementary classroom lately knows this saying, "criss cross applesauce."  So when I saw the title of my next book was Criss Cross, I immediately thought criss cross applesauce? But no, this book is not about a bunch of preschoolers sitting with their legs crossed.  (For those of you who grew up before the age of political correctness you will know this position as Indian style). Instead Lynn Rae Perkins Criss Cross is the story of three young adolescents the summer they realize that they are no longer children.

Criss Cross details some of the struggles of adolescence without getting into the awkwardness of changing bodies, voice cracks, and "the talk." Hector thinks to himself, "He definitely felt unfinished, still in process.  He felt that there was still time, that by the time three years had passed and he was seventeen, as Rowanne was now, he, too, might coalesce into something"(7).  Does that feeling every change?  Even grown-ups wonder if they are, "something."

The three main characters are becoming more thoughtful, more like adults, yet they still exhibit the absolute truth of childhood.  For example one says, "That's when they say, 'God works in mysterious ways.' Although no one wants to be the one He's working on that way.  It makes people feel like there is some real;y worthwhile reason that they're having such a crappy life" (86).  Why is it that adults will often (not always) leave a conversation satisfied with the trite remark, "well God works in mysterious ways" (and I am in no way saying that He doesn't) yet it takes a child to speak the painful unabridged truth.

Even though it covers some deep topics Criss Cross is filled with humor.  Not the right in your face laugh until you cry humor of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but a more subtle chuckle on the inside type of humor.  For example, "She was one of those elderly women whose cleavage starts about two inches bellow her collarbone and your main response to it is an intellectual curiosity about how that can even physically work" (171).

So Criss Cross does not refer to applesauce but it does refer to-actually I dont' think I will give that away...you'll just have to read the book.

OH and in case you're wondering who I complimented yesterday let me tell you. Yesterday was a rainy day in State College (just like pretty much everyday) so everyone was wearing their raincoats and carried umbrellas when they walked into the store.  One of our teachers, who is just the sweetest nicest woman-a teacher you would want every student to have, was wearing a green coat with a beautiful scarf tied in a bow around her neck and a hat.  She looked lovely and I told her so.  I still felt a little silly but her face lit up and she said thank you with such gratitude I guess it was worth feeling a little silly.

As Criss Cross shows, figuring out who you are, talking with frankness and honesty, but still embracing the humor of life...that's kids stuff.