Written by: Janell Cannon

Intended for 5th grade

Website by: Amanda Dennis

Summary of Book    

    This book is about a cockroach that came into a close encounter with a toad leaving his long wing twisted; his peers then gave him the nickname Crickwing.  Crickwing did not like his name, and therefore avoided the other creatures by scavenging for his food at night.  Crickwing loved to make sculptures with his food; however, predators often stole it before he could eat it.  This left Crickwing very frustrated, and he then took his emotion out on a colony of ants.  It was not until Crickwing saw the kindness of the ants that he decided to use his sculpting skills to save the colony from the army ants.

About the Author

    Janell Cannon is a self taught artist and writer, and has always admired animals.  Her love for the misunderstood and neglected creatures inspired her work at a public library where she developed reading programs and eventually became a writer.  She is the author of Stelluna, a bestseller within its first year of publication, which paved the way for Cannon's other books, such as Crickwing.

Prereading

Activity One:

Before you begin reading please print off this KWL Chart  and fill out what you already know and what you want to know about cockroaches.  Once you have finished reading the book fill out what you have learned.

Activity Two:    

Then draw a picture of a cockroach and an ant labeling the anatomy, use the links for help.

While Reading

Activity One:   

While you are reading, write down five words that you are unsure of  and then look them up at this online dictionary. 

Activity Two:    

Next make a list of the different kinds of food Crickwing tries to eat throughout the book.  Then create a menu using those foods and other foods that cockroaches might eat.  Use this link to help you.  Be CrEaTiVe!

After Reading

Activity ONe:

Visit the Yuckiest site on the internet .  then click on the bubble that says roach world.  look at roach anatomy, as well as amazing roach facts and the scrapbook.  After reviewing these links write your own story about cockroaches using some of the interesting facts you learned.

Activity Two:   

After you have finished your story write a letter to Crickwing to let him know what you thought of his story.

Assess Yourself

Print off this checklist to see if all activities have been completed.