Cricket Man

Kenny Sykes is on a mission. He's determined to make his mark somehow in his new town and his new school. In the meantime, he's appointed himself the secret savior of the hundreds of crickets who seem bound to commit suicide by jumping into Kenny's pool. Why he wants to save them, he's not entirely sure. But once school starts again, Cricket Man finds that there are more important things that need saving. Namely, Jodie Poindexter — beautiful junior, across-the-street neighbor, and, underneath her com-posed facade, the most troubled and secretive girl in school.

Newbery Medal winner Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has crafted a funny and heartwarming story about how growing up is as much a choice as it is a given.

Kenny Sykes is on a mission. He's determined to make his mark somehow in his new town and his new school. In the meantime, he's appointed himself the secret savior of the hundreds of crickets who seem bound to commit suicide by jumping into Kenny's pool. Why he wants to save them, he's not entirely sure. But once school starts again, Cricket Man finds that there are more important things that need saving. Namely, Jodie Poindexter — beautiful junior, across-the-street neighbor, and, underneath her com-posed facade, the most troubled and secretive girl in school.

Newbery Medal winner Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has crafted a funny and heartwarming story about how growing up is as much a choice as it is a given.

Children's Literature

Thirteen-year-old Kenny Sykes dreams of becoming a photographer, getting to know his pretty 16-year-old neighbor, Jodie, and becoming a "Neighborhood Watch of one." By the end of the book, he's accomplished two of the three. In keeping with goals one and three, Kenny spends most of the summer rescuing unsuspecting crickets from certain death in his family's pool. Though few appreciate his noble efforts, the acts themselves are gratifying enough. In fact, Kenny feels so good saving the little critters that he takes on an alter ego: Cricket Man! As with other superheroes, Kenny's new identity gives him new-found confidence: at school, he speaks up for himself; at the public pool, he saves a child from drowning; and, perhaps most amazing of all, he slowly develops a relationship with Jodie. Initially flattered by her attention, Kenny eventually realizes she is deeply troubled, and determines to do his best to help her. Kenny comes across as a male version of Naylor's beloved Alice: likable, intelligent, well-meaning, and kind. Cricket Man is further reminiscent of the Alice books in that it tackles sexuality and mature themes head on. While anything penned by Naylor is worth reading, this is not her strongest work. Despite its male protagonist, it is hard to imagine male readers getting invested in Jodie's problems—not to mention a huge subplot about a wedding. Considering the caliber, scope and sheer volume of Naylor's books, even a diehard fan like myself would recommend many of her previous novels above this one. Reviewer: Naomi Milliner

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor includes many of her own growing-up experiences in the Alice books. She writes for both children and adults and is the author of more than one hundred and twenty-five books, including the Alice series, which Entertainment Weekly has called "tender" and "wonderful." In 1992 her novel Shiloh won the Newbery Medal. She lives with her husband, Rex, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and is the mother of two sons, both grown and married.