57 pages 1 hour read

Jerry Spinelli

Crash

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1996

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Crash by Jerry Spinelli follows seventh-grade athlete Crash Coogan, who transitions from a bully to becoming best friends with Penn Webb, a former victim. Through various social and family challenges, including his involvement in sports and his relationship with his sister Abby, Crash learns the value of friendship and empathy. Triggering topics include bullying and a family member's stroke.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jerry Spinelli's Crash paints a poignant portrait of middle school life, vividly exploring themes of friendship, empathy, and personal growth. Critics praise Spinelli's relatable characters and humorous writing style. Some find the plot predictable and feel secondary characters lack depth. However, fans appreciate the book's heartfelt messages and engaging narrative.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Crash?

Readers who delight in realistic middle-grade fiction, particularly those who appreciated novels like Wonder by R.J. Palacio or Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, will be captivated by Crash. Themes of friendship, empathy, and personal growth stand at the center, making it a compelling read for ages 8-12.

RecommendedReading Age

9-12years

Lexile Level

560L

Book Details

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Children's Literature

Education

Topics

Sports

Bullying

Education

Themes

Relationships: Friendship

Relationships: Teams

Relationships: Siblings