Module 6 -- One Crazy Summer



Citation:

Williams-Garcia, R. (2010). One crazy summer. Prince Frederick, MD: Recorded

Books.

Summary:

Rita Williams-Garcia's One Crazy Summer, tells the story of three young African-American girls spending five weeks in Oakland California with their biological mother that abandoned them years earlier. Since her leaving, the girls have been raised by their grandparents, Big Maw and Big Paw in Brooklyn, New York. Big Paw insists that the girls go visit their mother, but Big Maw is skeptical and has always been vocal about her disapproval of Cecil. Upon their arrival, it's obvious that their mother wants little to do with them, and is completely put out by their visit. She shoos them out the doors of her home, insisting they attend a Black Panther summer camp at a nearby center. In general, as long as they stay away from home, and out of her kitchen, she tolerates their presence. As the summer progresses, the young girls learn about their African-American heritage, forge new friendships, and find an unexpected common ground with their mother. Although they were eager to return to Brooklyn at the beginning of their stay, by the end of their time in Oakland they are sad to leave.

Impressions:

I am a HUGE fan of audiobooks. My theatre background makes me gravitate toward listening to some read a book interpretively any chance I get. This means however, that I can be a pretty harsh critic. If I'm not hooked by the reader within the first few tracks of a story, then back to the library it goes. Cici Aisha Johnson was a brilliant reader, and I think in large part is the reason why I enjoyed this book so much. Her use of character voices to bring the young sisters to life, as well as a multitude of other minor characters kept me thoroughly engrossed. Rita Williams-Garcia has done a beautiful job of painting a true-to-life picture of the disjointed relationship between mother and daughters. She does not sugar coat Cecil's lack of desire for her daughters' summer visit, but also gives her a human quality and backstory that allows the leading character, Delphine, to begin to understand her mother's reasoning for leaving home, and accept her for who she is.

Usage in a Library Setting:

This would be an excellent book to feature during for a book talk during Black History month. This text could be used in conjuction with a study on the Civil Rights movement, the Black Panthers, and/or black poets. This could also be a great jumping off point to discuss the theme of family, what it "should" look like, and what it means.

Reviews:

Publishers Weekly:

Williams-Garcia (Jumped) evokes the close-knit bond between three sisters, and the fervor and tumultuousness of the late 1960s, in this period novel featuring an outspoken 11-year-old from Brooklyn, N.Y. Through lively first-person narrative, readers meet Delphine, whose father sends her and her two younger sisters to Oakland, Calif., to visit their estranged mother, Cecile. When Cecile picks them up at the airport, she is as unconventional as Delphine remembers ("There was something uncommon about Cecile. Eyes glommed onto her. Tall, dark brown woman in man's pants whose face was half hidden by a scarf, hat, and big dark shades. She was like a colored movie star"). Instead of taking her children to Disneyland as they had hoped, Cecile shoos them off to the neighborhood People's Center, run by members of the Black Panthers. Delphine doesn't buy into all of the group's ideas, but she does come to understand her mother a little better over the summer. 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. Ages 9-12.

School Library Journal:

Gr 4–7--The tumultuous summer of 1968 is the setting for this splendid story (Amistad, 2010) by Rita Williams-Garcia. Delphine, almost 12, along with her sisters Vonetta and Fern, fly across the country to visit their mother, Cecile, who long ago abandoned the family to pursue her poetry. The girls ache for hugs and kisses but desperately try not to hope too much. Good thing. When they arrive at her green stucco house in poor, mostly-black Oakland, California, their mother constantly mutters "didn't want you to come." Cecile fobs the sisters off on the local Black Panther community center, and the girls spend their summer days eating cold eggs and learning that the Black Panthers are more about serving their community and protecting the rights of black citizens than shoot-outs with the police. While U.S. politics roil and boil in the background, Delphine seethes over her crazy mother. Their final confrontation is both poignant and satisfying as we come to understand Cecile. Sisi Aisha Johnson infuses each character with a distinct personality and the tone is upbeat and even humorous. She perfectly captures each character's voice, and her delivery is silky smooth and perfectly paced. Seeing the historic summer of '68 through the eyes of sensitive, intuitive Delphine is a treat. Featuring flawless writing and narration, this is storytelling at its finest. Sure to garner numerous awards.

Review Citations:  

Publishers Weekly. (2010, January 4). One crazy summer. [Book Review]. Publishers Weekly, 257(1), 47. 

Melgaard, T. (2010). One Crazy Summer. [Book Review]. School Library Journal,

56(10), 58.