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.

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.

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.

Humorous / Heartwarming / Emotional / Adventurous / Inspirational

- Jerry Spinelli's inspiration for writing Crash came partially from his own childhood experiences and observations about how people evolve from childhood to adulthood.
- Crash has become a popular reading choice in many school curricula for its exploration of themes like friendship, family, and personal growth, making it relevant for classroom discussions.
- Since its publication in 1996, Crash has received critical acclaim for its ability to tackle complex themes with humor and relatability, contributing to Spinelli's reputation as a beloved children's author.

**John "Crash" Coogan**  
A physically strong boy who is initially known for his aggressive behavior and bullying tendencies but grows through personal challenges and relationships.

**Penn Webb**  
A kind-hearted and eccentric boy who befriends Crash despite being the target of his bullying; his unwavering friendship plays a significant role in the narrative.

**Abby Coogan**  
Crash’s nature-loving younger sister who befriends Penn and holds strong convictions about the environment and her family's lifestyle.

**Scooter**  
Crash's grandfather and a former Navy cook, who shares stories with Crash and Abby, and serves as a parental figure in their lives.

**The Webbs**  
Penn’s parents, who are artistic and follow a modest, Quaker lifestyle, offering a contrasting perspective of life to Crash's family.

**Jane Forbes**  
A new student at Crash's school who stands out for her beauty and befriends Penn, showing no interest in Crash.

**Mike Deluca**  
Crash’s initial best friend and fellow athlete who also partakes in bullying Penn but does not understand Crash's eventual change of heart.

**Mr. & Mrs. Coogan**  
Crash’s parents, who are hardworking but often too busy to spend time with their children, embodying the pursuit of success over family time.

**Henry**  
Penn’s great-grandfather, whose visit and close bond with Penn hold emotional significance in the development of relationships in the story.

Jerry Spinelli

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Crash reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Crash | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Crash and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Crash

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Crash?

Reading Age

Book Details