One Crazy Summer

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williams-Garica, Rita. 2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York, NY: Amistad: An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 9780060760885

      2.  PLOT SUMMARY

      In 1968 three young black sisters have set out to fly across the country to spend a month with their mother who abandoned them after the birth of the youngest girl. The girls' hopes of welcoming arms and warm hugs are shattered by their mother's irritability and less than pleased attitude concerning their visit. The girls quickly learn they must fend for themselves. The oldest girl, Delphine, takes charge and ensures that all three girls have food, a place to sleep, and entertainment during the day. Their mother insists the girls daily attend the local Black Panther summer camp so they can have a free breakfast each day. Although the girls from Harlem are unfamiliar with the Black Panther culture in Oakland, they quickly learn to mesh with the ideas presented by the camp leaders. The girls eventually establish friendships with the children and adults at the camp. These relationships prove helpful when the girls' mother is arrested for involvement in the Black Panther movement. In the end, the girls are able to open up to their mother and even get to know her a little better. Although the girls are looking forward to returning home, they cannot leave without hugging their mother, whether she likes it or not.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Williams-Garcia does a good job of creating believable characters with whom the readers can easily identify with. Williams-Garcia makes it easy to experience the tension a young black girl would likely feel during daily routines as the girls are wait to meet their mother at the airport. "A large white woman came and stood before us, clapping her hands like we were on display at the Bronx Zoo" (Williams-Garcia, 2010, 15). Cecile, the girls' mother, is also featured as a character that accurately represents the lifestyle of a young black woman standing up for her rights in Oakland, California in the late sixties. A glimpse into Cecile's free-spirited nature may be seen in the quote, "Our mother wore pencils in her hair, dresses like a secret agent, had a stickly, prickly house, a palm tree when no one else had one" (Williams-Garcia, 2010, 27). Descriptions such as these provide the reader with evidence of the woman's independence that likely drove her away from her children.

A relaxed plot highlights the long, lazy summer days the girls are forced to spend entertaining themselves. However, the plot is not without conflict or tension. The unsettled community and nation as a whole is struggling to ensure equal rights for all. However, this struggle causes citizens and public officials alike to interact with high levels of tension and distrust. This is exemplified in the portion of the text when the girls are confronted by Crazy Kelvin for referring to themselves as "colored" rather than "black" (Williams-Garcia, 2010, 65). The Black Panther rally that the girls attend is another development of the plot that highlights what life was like during this time period. The plot accurately reflects the era by alluding to events such as these that would have been characteristic of the time.

The setting of Oakland, California is accurately detailed throughout the story. One example may be seen as Delphine contrasts the surroundings to her mother's home saying, " I couldn't help but notice that not one yard had a plam tree. Not one" (Williams-Garcia, 2010 34). In addition, Delphenie's uncertainty with her unfamiliar surroundings are noted "we were far from Brooklyn. I didn't know where any of these streets led" (Williams-Garcia, 2010, 34). 

The underlying theme of this novel  is a child's need and desire to be loved and accepted by a parental figure. Although Delphine and her sister do not readily receive this love from their mother, they do not give up and continue to hope their mother will come to show love and affection for them. The love that develops through the story is highlighted in the kitchen stool Delphine's mother provides for her. "There was a stool by the stove. It was like everything else Cecile brought into her green stucco house. Secondhand. Still, it was unexpected, and I welcomed it" (Williams-Garcia, 2010, 146). This quote supports the theme of continued love and devotion the girls show their mother even in the face of less than perfect circumstances. The girls chose to focus on these efforts, however small, attempted by their mother.

Williams-Garcia's writing style creates a timeless story of children trying to earn the love of a parent figure. Although this novel takes place in the late sixties, this story could easily be told in modern times. The language used by the girls, and references to political figures and movements of the time help to make this story specific to the 1960's decade. For example, Delphine refers to her father as pa rather than dad. "We have to call Pa. Let him know we arrived." (William-Garcia, 2010, 33). Calling a father "pa" was more common during this time than in current years. Williams-Garcia gives a nod to the time period by making such mentions as, "I expected to find Dr. Martin Luther King's photograph hanging on the wall, but I was disappointed. Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali were the only faces I could name" (Williams-Garica, 2010, 69). References such as these are used throughout the story by Williams-Garcia as a constant reminder of the turmoil and unrest characteristic of the society within which Delphine and her sisters are growing up. 

Williams-Garcia maintains an accurate portrayal of life for young, black girls living in this time period, while successfully avoiding negative stereotypes.

4. PERSONAL RESPONSE: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

I enjoyed this story and learning more about the Black Panther movement. It was interesting to view the summer camp and rally through the eyes of young, black girls. A significant strength was the detail given to creating a strong character in the oldest sister, Delphine. It is almost as if Delphine has become the mother of her two younger sisters in the absence of their birth mother. In my opinion, a weakness to be noted lies in the lack of background information about why the girls are finally going to visit their mother. I would have enjoyed reading more information about exactly why their father thought that it was necessary to send the girls at this point in time.

5. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

"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)

"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." (starred review, BOOKLIST)

"“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.” (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY )

6. CONNECTIONS

*Students can research the history of the Black Panther movement. Students can create a sample edition of the newspaper Delphine read while at the summer camp.

*Students can research and compare and contrast leaders of the Civil Rights movement.

*Students can read another book by Williams-Garcia such as LIKE SISTERS ON THE HOMEFORNT (ISBN 0613053737)