The Cricket in Times Square Activities

The Cricket in Times Square begins when a small cricket named Chester accidentally becomes trapped inside a picnic basket. The unsuspecting picnickers board a commuter train from the Connecticut countryside to New York City, carrying Chester with them all the way to bustling Times Square. Once he escapes, Chester finds himself in a world far louder, brighter, and busier than anything he has ever known.

Reading Level

Lexile 780L

Interest Level

Grades 4-6

Length

144 pages

Award

Newbery Honor

Jump to Section

About the Book

In the city, Chester befriends three unlikely companions: Tucker, a street‑smart mouse; Harry, a kind and protective cat; and Mario, a young boy whose family runs a small newsstand in the subway station. Mario is immediately fascinated by Chester and convinces his parents to let the cricket stay at the stand.

As Chester adjusts to life in New York, his remarkable talent begins to shine. He can chirp familiar songs with perfect pitch, and soon his musical ability captures the attention of everyone who hears him. Crowds gather to listen, the subway station fills with excitement, and Chester’s concerts become a magical escape for the busy city dwellers.

This heartwarming tale blends friendship, loyalty, and the wonder of unexpected gifts. Read this wonderful book to discover Chester’s fate and how one small cricket makes a big difference in the heart of New York City.

⭐ Book Details

Publication Date	January 1, 1960
Reading Level	Lexile 780L • Scholastic Guided Reading Level S
Interest Level	Grades 4–6
Major Awards	1961 Newbery Honor
Length	144 pages (approx. 43,920 words)
Estimated Reading Time	About 2 hours and 55 minutes
Audiobook Length	2 hours, 35 minutes
Genre	Fiction
Setting	Times Square Subway Station, New York City
Point of View	Third person, outside narrator
Themes	Friendship • Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone • Things Aren’t Always What They Seem • Home • Be Careful What You Wish For
Memorable Quote	“I thought cats and mice were enemies.”
First Line	“A mouse was looking at Mario.”

The Cricket in Times Square Activities

The Cricket in Times Square Unit Samples

Check out this unit with these samples:

Vocabulary Practice for Chapter 1
Comprehension Questions for Chapter 1
Constructed Response Question – Onomatopoeia

Teaching Idea #1 ~ Clothespin Cricket

This clothespin craft is a great way for students to begin a unit on The Cricket in Times Square. This fun activity builds interest in the story.

Best of all, the craft is made with common materials that many teachers have in their craft supply closets.

Materials

tissue paper wings
clothes pin body
green pipe cleaner legs
wiggle eyes

Teaching Idea #2 ~ Strawberry Sodas

After reading about Mario and Chester’s trip to the soda shop, students made their own strawberry soda following the instructions listed in the book. Try making your own strawberry soda the way Mickey made it.

Page 38 – Mickey took a tablespoon and put a drop of strawberry syrup into it. He added a drop of cream, a squirt of soda water, and a dip of ice cream about as big as your fingernail. That is how you make a cricket’s strawberry soda.

Teaching Idea #3 ~ Chinese Dinner

After Chester eats the two-dollar bill, Mario decides he must go to Chinatown and find out what is wrong with Chester. While visiting Sai Fong’s shop, Mario is invited for dinner. Mario tries all sorts of wonderful foods that are described in the novel.

Having a Chinese dinner after reading about Mario’s Chinese dinner was great fun! The science lab was decorated with Chinese lanterns and fans. We ordered take-out from a local Chinese restaurant and enjoyed trying to eat with chopsticks.

Teaching Idea #4 ~ The Cricket in Times Square Audiobook

Teaching Idea #5 ~ Writing Prompts

Debate activity: Have students debate the merits of living in the city versus living in the countryside, using the perspectives of the characters in the book as a starting point.

Friendship: Discuss the theme of friendship in the book and have students write about a time when they made a new friend.

Newspaper article: Have students write a newspaper article from the perspective of one of the characters in the story, reporting on the events of the book.