what's wrong with cricketts?
Their one good point is that they're cheap. Even as cheap as they are, they're hardly worth the price.
The action is annoying. Cocking the striker is done as a separate step from working the bolt. Some folks will say this is safer, but it isn't really. It is a continual source of "fumbling" with the rifle instead of learning a more standard bolt-action's manual of arms. Further, the INTERNAL parts of the bolt (including the main spring) are EXTERNAL and exposed to grit and damage.
Perhaps my biggest gripe is the lack of a feed ramp in the receiver. To load a round, you can't just place it into the action and close the bolt. You have to feed the cartridge into the chamber with your fingers -- through the tiny loading and ejection port. Fumble it and drop the round into the receiver and you'll have to flip the gun over, shake out the round, and try again.
If you look at a higher quality (and cost) rifle like the Savage or some of the others, their bolt cocks on closing like most "normal" bolt rifles. There's not separate cocking step. Also, they will have a real feed ramp so you can load a round without fuss. Just set it in the action and close the bolt.
I picked up a Cub-T (laminated wood thumb-hole stock) from Gander Mountain on sale for about $170. That's probably $60-$80 more expensive than a Cricket, but worth the cost, without question. The Cub is a fine rifle and I've put more rounds through it myself than my kids have! In fact, it's my go-to gun for groundhogs in the yard.
Also, the aperture sights that come on it are very nice (great for training), though mounted too low for a large adult to use easily. But the standard rimfire style dovetail scope mount is milled into the receiver. With a $30 Barska scope (that came with rings), I can hit those little steel spinners at 75 yds pretty easily with cheap ammo. And with match ammo it's given me 1.5" groups at 100 yds.
I've also been impressed with the Henry and Marlin micro-youth rifles, and the CZ stuff always gets great reviews. Just avoid the cricket. You get what you pay for...and no one wants THAT!
-Sam