One Crazy Summer

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2010. One Crazy Summer. New York, NY: Harper Collins Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780060760885

2. PLOT SUMMARY

After being abandoned by their mother, three girls, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern, are left to be raised by their father and grandmother. Seven years later, their father decides it is time for the girls to fly cross country for a visit. Upon landing in California, the girls are greeted with a less than warm reception, and it is clear that Cecile, their mother, has no desire to spend the summer with them. The girls end up spending their days at a local community center where they can get breakfast and participate in various programs. Being run by the Black Panthers, the girls begin to learn about the civil rights movement and eventually begin to win their mother’s heart.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book paints a vivid picture of life in the 1960s for African Americans through the eyes of a child experiencing it. From the beginning, the three girls have been taught their “place” in the world, and they don’t question those rules. However, as the story progresses and the girls begin to learn about the civil rights movement, those values are challenged at every turn. The character traits of each girl are unique and capture not only the time period but also the bonds and hierarchy between sisters.

Being set in Oakland, California, is fundamental to the plot development of this story. It is here that the Black Panther Party was incredibly active in working toward equal rights. Their influence at the community center, where the girls spend the day, allows Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern to learn about rights and freedoms as well as many civil rights leaders. It is during this time that Delphine struggles the most because she only knows the violence of the Black Panthers, as shown on the news, yet they are so peaceful and, for the most part, kind at the center.

As the story progresses, the girls begin to embrace what they are learning at the center and in doing so, Delphine is able to speak with her mother in ways she couldn’t before. These stolen moments of time spent together eventually help her mother to open up to her daughters. This was definitely a fun read with a gentler perspective on the civil rights time period that is so often portrayed with tremendous violence. With relatable themes like family, love, and acceptance, simply providing some historical background would make most students incredibly successful with this book.   

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2011 CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD WINNER

2011 SCOTT O’DELL AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION

2011 NEWBERY HONOR BOOK

Children’s Notable Book

From Publisher’s Weekly: “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.”

From School Library Journal, 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.”

From Booklist, starred review: “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.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other Civil Rights era books to read such as:

•                      Curtis, Christopher Paul. The Watson’s Go to Birmingham-1963. ISBN 044022800X

•                      Curtis, Christopher Paul. Bud, Not Buddy. ISBN 0553494104

Gather other Patricia Reilly Giff books to read such as:

•                     P.S. Be Eleven. ISBN 0061938645 (sequel to One Crazy Summer)

•                     Gone Crazy in Alabama. ISBN 0062215876

•                     Jumped. ISBN 0060760931 (older readers)

•                     Like Sisters on the Homefront. ISBN 0140385614 (older readers)

Use in conjunction with Black History month activities.

Use with a history unit on the Civil Rights era and the political leaders of the time.

Use with a persuasive writing unit, asking students (individual or group) to research and support a cause that is meaningful to them.