One Crazy Summer

 One Crazy Summer Book Review 

By Kelly Hartman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williams-Garcia, Rita.  One Crazy Summer. New York: Harper Collins Publishing, 2010 ISBN 9780060760885

PLOT SUMMARY

In the summer of 1968, Delphine and her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, fly from Brooklyn to Oakland in hopes of bonding with their mother, Cecile.  Instead of spending time with the girls, Cecile sends them off to Black Panther summer camp.  Responsible eleven year old Delphine continues to bear the burden as a mother-figure to her sisters by cooking home-cooked meals and planning a weekend excursion. Yet throughout their time in Oakland, Delphine's attitudes about her mother begin to change, and with it comes a revelation about herself.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

From the moment that Delphine and her sisters fly high into the clouds to meet their mother in Oakland, the reader believes every word and action.  Even though the story is set in the 1960's, today's readers can identify with birth order: responsibility of the oldest, "show-boating" from a middle child, and the babyish behavior of the youngest.  The author is successful at making all feel at home with the common strife of sibling rivalry, yet the feelings of protection and love that come with being part of a sisterly(or brotherly) relationship. Told from the perspective of the oldest sister, Delphine, the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride of the ups and downs that came with being a young black girl during that time period.  

The setting of Oakland, California in the summer of 1968 is integral to the events of the story.  Williams-Garcia takes her readers back to a tumultuous time of racial prejudice and social injustices.  Through Delphine's eyes, the reader changes from being suspicious of the Black Panther group to understanding the necessary action needed to make a change for the black community. The author solidifies her story-telling with an authentic backdrop through pop-culture, historical events, and well-known black activists from that time period.  

Rita Williams-Garcia acknowledges her ability to write this story based on reading books, conducting interviews, and specific praise for David Hillard's The Black Panther Intercommunal News Service. The author's purpose is written within a theme that transcends time; children making a change in 1968 and the changes that are still needed for our present time take both awareness and courage.   

AWARD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS 

Scott Odell Award Winner, 2011

Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner, 2011

Newbery Medal Honor, 2011

CONNECTIONS

Author's Purpose

Watch the book trailer to discuss and write a reflection on the author's purpose.  

Extensions

Use these activities and discussion questions to connect to the story.  

Gather 

Here are more books using the 2011 Coretta Scott King Award Guide.