Book cover image:
Book Summary: The
small town of Cryer’s Cross is terrified when two teenagers suddenly vanish
within months of each other. One of them was Kendall’s best friend (and
semi-boyfriend), Nico, and she doesn’t know how to move on without him. As she
becomes friends with a neighboring brother and sister, she begins to question
what happened to Nico. Mysterious messages begin to appear on Nico’s old desk,
and only she notices because of her OCD. Kendall crosses a line between ghosts
and reality as she is compelled by the mystery of deaths in Cryer’s Cross.
APA Reference of Book:
McMann, L. (2011). Cryer's Cross. New York, NY: Simon Pulse.
Impressions: It
is refreshing to read books that use the present tense since I feel that it is
so rarely used as a story-telling device. This narration style really leads to
readers feeling what Kendall is feeling at every moment. I was with her during
her doubts and fears, and I was rooting for her to overcome them and finally
discover the mystery behind Nico and Tiffany’s deaths. While everyone else
wanted her to move on, I think that it was important for Kendall to almost be
drawn into death’s grip. She had to face the danger and find the truth about
her friend’s death before she could move on with her life. I really like how it
is Kendall’s “disability” of OCD that actually ends up saving her from being
driven to suicide by the ghost boys. The supernatural element was a great
touch, although I feel like it all was wrapped up a little too quickly in the
ending. Have the ghosts been put at rest? I don’t think so. It definitely
leaves a bit to the imagination.
Professional Review:
Yusko, S. (2011). Cryer's cross. The
Booklist, 107(12), 70.
Grades 8-12. Kendall is a senior in a one-room high school
where last spring Tiffany, a freshman, disappeared. Now it is the start of a
new year, and Kendall’s boyfriend, Nico—the only one who truly understood
Kendall’s OCD— has gone missing, too. While compelled to straighten the desks
before class one morning, Kendall discovers that Nico’s desk was also Tiffany’s
desk. This seems like more than a coincidence, but Kendall is afraid that
people will think she is crazy. The town’s dark past is a well-kept secret, and
though she doesn’t want to admit it, Kendall will need the help of brooding
newcomer Jacian if she is going to find Nico. Kendall is a unique character,
and the details of her OCD compulsions are well drawn. Haunting passages from
another world, which provide just enough detail to intrigue and disturb
readers, are intertwined with Kendall’s story. Part mystery, part ghost story,
and part romance, this book has enough to satisfy a variety of readers and will
find popularity with McMann’s established fan base and new readers alike.
Library Uses: This novel would be a fun addition to a reading unit
right before Halloween. Murder mysteries are always a great way to practice
making predictions and noticing foreshadowing clues. During a read aloud, stop
and have students discuss their thoughts and make predictions as you read. At
any point, if students notice something is being hinted at or foreshadowed,
they should share it and make more predictions for what will happen next. Provide a scavenger hunt throughout the library using QR codes as clues for students to solve a mystery and analyze plot structure.
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