Criss Cross

What a contrast between a contemporary Newbery and an old Newbery! Where the main character in Smokey the Cowhorse has adventure after adventure, facing death over and over, the main characters in Criss Cross do almost nothing. The kids sit around and talk and sunbathe and listen to the radio and think. That's about it. It's Perkins' unique way of looking at the world that gives this book its surprising fun feel. And the pictures are great, too.