Historical Fiction

Artwork by Sally Wern Comport
Image from www.ritawg.com

One Crazy Summer 

by Rita Williams-Garcia

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York: Amistad Press. ISBN 9780060760885

PLOT SUMMARY

In the summer of 1968, 11-year-old Delphine boards a 727 with her two younger sisters, 9 year-old Vonetta, and  7 year-old Fern, for a month-long visit with Cecile, their estranged mother in Oakland, CA who abandoned the girls seven years earlier. Told from the perspective of Delphine, the girls adventure begins with turbulence on the plane, a very distant and unwelcoming reunion with their mother, and take-out Chinese dinner eaten on the floor. On top of that, their mother sends them to the local Black Panther's day-camp while she stays home, mysteriously working in her kitchen. Although they are unwanted, and mostly in their mother's way, Delphine is determined to get to know her, but ends up learning much about herself, her past, and her place in society as well. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In One Crazy Summer, Williams-Garcia tells the story of Delphine and her unusual, estranged relationship to her mother. Although she has flashes, or memories of Cecile, Delphine really doesn't know her mother, except what her grandmother, Big Ma, has told her, which in not very positive. Still, Delphine is determined to make her four week stay as tolerable for herself and her sisters as she can. Her take-charge attitude, her work ethic, and protectiveness over her sisters make her a strong personality capable of telling this story in a first-person narrative. Her child's perceptive gives the story innocence and awe, as she observes the people around her, their interactions, and her place among them. 

Williams-Garcia brings 1968's Oakland to life with her vivid descriptions of the places, the people, and even the streets of Cecile's neighborhood. References to real-life character like Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali, Huey Newton, and Bobby Hutton, and the girls' experiences with pop culture like Brenda and the Tabulations and The Mike Douglas Show add to the story's authenticity.  

One Crazy Summer is recommended for students in grades 6 through 9.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

“Delphine’s growing awareness of injustice on a personal and universal level is smoothly woven into the story in poetic language what will stimulate and move readers.” (Publisher’s Weekly, Jan. 2010)

“The depiction of the time is well done, and while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults, their resilience is celebrated and energetically told with writing that snaps off the page.” (Kirkus starred review, Feb. 2010)

“In One Crazy Summer Williams-Garcia presents a child’s-eye view of the Black Panther movement within a powerful and affecting story of sisterhood and motherhood.”  (New York Times, Jan. 2010)

“Set during a pivotal moment in African American history, this vibrant novel shows the subtle ways that political movements affect personal lives; but just as memorable is the finely drawn universal story of children reclaiming a reluctant parent’s love.” (Booklist starred review, Feb. 2010)

“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.” (School Library Journal starred review, Mar. 2010)

“…readers will want to know more about Delphine and her sisters after they return to Brooklyn with their radical new ideas about the world.” (Horn Book starred review, Mar./Apr. 2010 

• 2011 Newbery Honor Book
• 2011 Coretta Scott King Award Winner
• 2011 Scott O’Dell Prize for Historical Fiction
• 2010 National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature
• 2010 Texas Library Association Best Book
• Goodreads Choice Award Nominee (2010)
• Publishers Weekly's Best Children's Books of the Year for Fiction (2010)

CONNECTIONS

Preview the book with students using this book trailer.

Use this book for an in-depth lesson on character analysis, including the changes (physical, emotional, mental, etc.) Delphine, Vonetta, or Fern go through, throughout the course of the book. 

Use this discussion guide from the publisher. 

Use this book for an introduction to the turbulent times of the late 1960’s, including the Black Panther movement and the Hippie culture in California.

Use this book as an introduction to poetry, poets, and their role in social movements.

Have students interview someone who lived through the late sixties or early seventies when they were 11 or 12 years old.

Other fiction books for children about sisters.

--Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

--Ten Rules for Living with My Sister by Ann M. Martin.

--The Rule of Three by Megan McDonald.

 --Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood

Other historical fiction books for children set in the late 1960s.

--Shooting the Moon by Frances O’Roark Dowell

--Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan

--Countdown by Deborah Wiles

Listen to Rita Williams-Garcia talk about writing One Crazy Summer. 

Visit the Rita Williams-Garcia's website.