Additional Information:
- Newberry Honor book
- Scott O'dell Award
- National Book Award Finalist
- Coretta Scott King Award
- Non-English author
Synopsis: Taking place in 1968, One Crazy Summer is the story of three young girls who travel across the country to see their mother who abandoned them many years before. Eleven year old Delphine cares for her sisters, Vonetta and Fern, since their mother wants nothing to do with them. When they arrive in Oakland, their mother, Cecile, ignores them and sends them away to find food and company. Cecile never explains the strange visitors she has at her house who where black berets and Afros. Then Cecile sends the three girls to a summer camp sponsored by the Black Panthers where the children receive a radically new education.
Book Notes: This book has received several awards and is well written. It takes place during the tumultuous time of the Civil Rights movement and gives an insider look at the workings of revolutionary ideas. Many elements of the Civil Rights movement are written subtly, so young readers may not catch their significance.
Critique: One Crazy Summer is well written and gives a rare perspective of the Black Panthers during the 1960s. However, it is important to know that this book portrays the Black Panthers in a positive and noble light. If this book is used in a history class, it is crucial that the teacher address different viewpoints of the Black Panthers, even their violent tendencies. This book seems one-sided when discussing revolutionary ideals of the 60s, so teachers must consider the effect of this in their classroom.
Classroom Activities: This story can be read as a novel study among upper level elementary students. There are many literary elements, such as symbolism, figurative language, and historical references that can be studied as an entire class or in small groups. This book is useful when teaching certain elements of the Civil Rights movement, Below are more classroom ideas.
- Discussion questions: http://files.harpercollins.com/PDF/TeachingGuides/0060760885.pdf
- Teaching guide: http://www.ecslearningsystems.com/viewimagesandsamples/NU87241TG_S.pdf
- Literature unit: http://www.edhelper.com/books/One_Crazy_Summer.htm
Additional Resources:
- Interview with the author: http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/kids-teachers/authors/rita_williams_garcia
- Author website: http://www.ritawg.com/
- Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqtHPyeIh3E
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