Book Review: The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

The Cricket in Times Square is a classic of children's literature for good reason. It is a simple story about healthy friendships.

The Cricket in Times Square is a classic of children's literature for good reason. It is a simple story about healthy friendships. If you have seen the animated movie of the book, it follows the story well. Still, I recommend the book because of the deeper insight into the characters’ minds.

The story follows a cricket named Chester at the moment he is found in the subway station under Times Square. We are told how Chester accidentally ended up there from Connecticut. He is then cared for by a boy at his family's newsstand in the subway station. Chester forms friendships with a mouse named Tucker and a cat named Harry. Chester discovers he has a natural talent for playing music and brings business to the newsstand. Finally, at the end of the book, Chester goes home.

The book is small and great for elementary readers, but the characters are surprisingly complex. You would think that the ending would be sad when Chester goes home, but it comes from a healthy perspective that friendships, even very good ones, can be for only a season of our lives. This season of friendship is still valuable and important.

I love the time the author takes in letting us get to know all the characters, even the supporting ones. As readers, we are able to see the individuals rather than the mass of people in the big city. Even though many exciting events happen in the book, the characters are what really make this book pop.

I highly recommend this book to all readers as a great story. It will definitely last as a classic because of the surprisingly mature insight into the nature of friendship.