One Crazy Summer

 

Bibliography:

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2011. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. Quill Tree Books. ISBN: 0060760907.

Plot Summary:

In ONE CRAZY SUMMER, we learn about an eleven-year-old who must be like a mother to her two younger sisters, Vonetta, and Fern. Delphine, the mother-like sister, has had to step in since their mother left them seven years ago for a new life in California. The girls spend one summer going to go visit her and they all have all these ideas about their mother, but nothing is like they thought it would be. Delphine is concerned with how the girls will behave and upon their arrival their mother lets it be known that they are not wanted there. She leaves them alone and often ignores them.

One day Delphine and her sisters are ushered into the back room when there is a knock on the door and as she peeks through the door, she sees men in all black. The Black Panthers. The rest of the summer is spent learning more about herself as a young black woman. This book takes you through many emotions and historical facts that are often talked about.

Critical Analysis:

  I enjoyed this book for several reasons, I felt that I was able to read and learn more about another part of black history that was going on in the 1960’s that often isn’t discussed. Yes, I have heard of the Black Panthers, but I didn’t know much about them. We are often taught largely about MLK Jr. and while he is important it is a great book to learn more about what was also occurring during the period. It helps to open your eyes to the other movements, women who were part of this war against the man, and life for black children.  

I also think this book has relatable elements for children of today. The mother in this story reminds me a lot of the mother of one of my students, and I think he would benefit from reading about a mother who is different day by day. She at times seems to be part of the black panthers on her own accord, other times like she was forced into it, and at other times it's all confusing. This book does take some reading between the lines but it’s a great read with real-world problems.

Review Awards and Excerpt(s):

★ “The setting and time period are as vividly realized as the characters, and readers will want to know more about Delphine and her sisters after they return to Brooklyn.” — Horn Book (starred review)

★ “Emotionally challenging and beautifully written, this book immerses readers in a time and place and raises difficult questions of cultural and ethnic identity and personal responsibility. With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Delphine’s growing awareness of injustice on a personal and universal level is smoothly woven into the story in poetic language that will stimulate and move readers.” — Publishers Weekly

Connections:

This book could be used to discuss and compare the past with the present.

This book could be used when learning about Black History, Black Panthers, and what it was like to be Black in the 1960s.

You could continue reading the books in the series and talk about character development through the years.

Check out the teacher guide that Rita Williams-Garcia created with discussion questions and ideas for classroom activities here: Teaching Guide