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heinhuis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked many things about the book Crash, but there were also things that stopped me from giving it a higher rating. For example, I thought a lot of the characters had an outdated view on a lot of major topics. I enjoyed that Crash was funny and we got to hear a lot of his inner thoughts. Overall, it was an enjoyable book to read.
deschatjes's review
4.0
Poignant middle grade story about jockeying for masculine status, bullying and friendship while ultimately making difficult choices
pageturnerfae's review
4.0
Jerry Spinelli always write great stories. The stories are never elaborate. They're simple and hits home all the time. Always expect a great read if you pick up something written by Jerry spinelli.
meganihauck's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishwonderlandco's review
4.0
Amazingly I did enjoy this book it really showed that if you believe it or not people can change for the better. It also shows sone people never will.
cindyjac's review
4.0
I can't believe I've never read this; it's been on my bookshelf at school for years. I should have known it would be great since Jerry Spinelli wrote it. It has a similar feel to it as Maniac Magee and Stargirl with a message that it's okay to be different. Crash Coogan starts as a somewhat unlikeable narrator, but we watch him evolve and find that even a jock bully can change given the right circumstances. A book I will recommend to my students!
onceuponacarm's review
3.0
When I began reading this book, I hated it. I couldn't relate to Crash Coogan at all, with his insensitivity and arrogance. But I had to give Jerry Spinelli a chance, as his stories tend to be pretty amazing. This was not my favorite of his books, but it ended up being pretty good. I enjoyed witnessing the transformation Crash went through and the honest, real circumstances that led to his personal growth. Though the cover of the book suggests it'll be a comedy, like many of Spinelli's books the humor is the natural, every-day humor of life.
kmcneil's review
4.0
From Horn Book Guide 9/1/1996
Fiction: I Crash is a star football player. He torments Penn, a classmate who is everything Crash is not -- friendly, small, and a pacifist. When his beloved grandfather comes to live with his family and suffers a debilitating stroke, Crash comes to see value in many of the things he has scorned. Although not entirely convincing, Spinelli's fast-paced, lively novel is great fun to read. Horn Rating: Superior, well above average. Reviewed by: mvk
Fiction: I Crash is a star football player. He torments Penn, a classmate who is everything Crash is not -- friendly, small, and a pacifist. When his beloved grandfather comes to live with his family and suffers a debilitating stroke, Crash comes to see value in many of the things he has scorned. Although not entirely convincing, Spinelli's fast-paced, lively novel is great fun to read. Horn Rating: Superior, well above average. Reviewed by: mvk
booksong's review
4.0
They call him Crash because that's what he does, crashes through life with no regard for everything around him.
John "Crash" Coogan is entering 7th grade in his middle school career. And it's shaping up to be an interesting one indeed. Crash is ready to hang with his best friend Michael, dominate the football team, and get to know Jane Forbes, his suddenly drop-dead beautiful classmate, a little better.
And he wants to continue the longstanding tradition of harassing Penn Webb.
Penn Webb, scrawny, nonviolent, vegetarian, unfailingly friendly, and raised by Quakers. The polar opposite of arrogant jock Crash. Since childhood Crash has scorned Penn's attempts at friendship, instead making him a target for bullying. Everything has run perfectly fine...until that 7th grade year.
The year that Crash's beloved uncle ends up in the hospital. The year that Crash's little sister goes on an impassioned environmental crusade. And the year when everything brash, cocky Crash expects to happen...doesn't.
A hilarious, touching, painful story of one fairly unsympathetic teenage hero who is changed by the most unlikely people...and comes out on the other side as someone no one could have recognized.
John "Crash" Coogan is entering 7th grade in his middle school career. And it's shaping up to be an interesting one indeed. Crash is ready to hang with his best friend Michael, dominate the football team, and get to know Jane Forbes, his suddenly drop-dead beautiful classmate, a little better.
And he wants to continue the longstanding tradition of harassing Penn Webb.
Penn Webb, scrawny, nonviolent, vegetarian, unfailingly friendly, and raised by Quakers. The polar opposite of arrogant jock Crash. Since childhood Crash has scorned Penn's attempts at friendship, instead making him a target for bullying. Everything has run perfectly fine...until that 7th grade year.
The year that Crash's beloved uncle ends up in the hospital. The year that Crash's little sister goes on an impassioned environmental crusade. And the year when everything brash, cocky Crash expects to happen...doesn't.
A hilarious, touching, painful story of one fairly unsympathetic teenage hero who is changed by the most unlikely people...and comes out on the other side as someone no one could have recognized.