Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Criss Cross is a realistic fiction Newberry Award Winner for 2006. The title Criss Cross seems to connect to the unique plot plan showing about four main characters each described and involved in mostly separate settings and events that only seldom "criss cross" events in common. The four main characters appear to be Lenny, Hector, Debbie, and Patty; and they are teenagers trying to find themselves and to relate to their peers. Hector appears to be in love with girls and wanting to impress his peers. Lenny is quieter and perhaps a bit more reserved, but he gets involved with some mischief by trying to teach a girlfriend, Debby how to drive his dad's truck. Patty is Debbie's close friend, and she seems to follow Debby's lead as they try to pursue boys. The novel seems to have no defined plot, and several different and unrelated things seem to be happening concurrently throughout the book. Occasionally when the characters interact the reader begins to think they will all meet together and share in an event by the end of the book. This does not happen, however Hector and Debby have a "criss crossing" moment at the end of the book when the reader begins to think a relationship is about to "gel." The reader is left hanging when these two characters go their separate ways, and the expected connections never happen. Although the author used the term "criss cross" periodically throughout the book in varied contexts the reader is left bewildered about the term's real purpose in the book. The author used some vivid imagery and figurative language occasionally throughout the book that seemed to add zest to the characters and scenes, but the absence of traditional plot was unsettling.