One Crazy Summer

One Crazy Summer

by Rita Williams-Garcia

2011 Coretta Scott King Author Book Award

Tweens

One Crazy Summer tells the story of three young African American sisters, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern, who travel from their home in Brooklyn to stay with their mother in Oakland, California for the summer.  The girls do not know much about their mother and they long to get to know her and understand what prompted her to leave them seven years earlier.  Unfortunately, Cecile wants nothing to do with her daughters.  Instead she sends them to a day camp where they receive free breakfast and indoctrination from the Black Panther Party.  The girls find themselves performing at a huge rally supporting Huey Newton and the Black Panthers.  This summer is one they will never forget!

Rita Williams-Garcia uses a captivating story and unforgettable characters to educate readers about a significant time period in American history.  After I read this book, I was prompted to read more about the Black Panther Party, Huey Newton, and the Free Breakfast Program sponsored by the Black Panther Party.  Reading about this time period from a child's point of view was an unforgettable experience.  I'll be thinking about this book for a while. 


I created a glogster to go along with this award winning book.