One Crazy Summer (novel) facts for kids
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| Author | Rita Williams-Garcia |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's historical fiction, realistic fiction |
| Publisher | Amistad |
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Publication date
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2010 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 218 |
| ISBN | 9780060760885 (trade bdg.) |
| Fic | |
| LC Class | PZ7.W6713 On 2010 |
One Crazy Summer is an exciting historical fiction novel. It was written by American author Rita Williams-Garcia. The book was published in 2010 by Amistad.
The story is about three sisters: Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern. They visit their mother in Oakland, California. This happens during the summer of 1968. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2010. In 2011, it won the Coretta Scott King Award. It also won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Plus, it was named a Newbery Medal Honor Book.
Contents
What the Story is About
Delphine, who is eleven, Vonetta, nine, and Fern, seven, live in Brooklyn, New York. They live with their father and grandmother. One summer, their father sends them to Oakland, California. They are going to stay with their mother, Cecile. She calls herself Nzilla.
Cecile never calls Fern by her real name. She always says "little girl." This makes Delphine think her grandmother was right. She believes Cecile left them because their father didn't like the name Afua for the baby. Cecile takes the money their father gave them. She gives them a small amount for Chinese food each day. She also tells them not to go into her kitchen. This is where Cecile writes and prints her poetry.
Adventures at The People's Center
During the day, the three sisters go to The People's Center. This center is run by the Black Panther Party. They get breakfast and go to day camp there. They meet Sister Mukumbu, who teaches them about the movement. She explains that the Black Panther Party helps poor African Americans. They also work to protect African American communities.
The children learn about important events. A Black Panther member named Bobby Hutton was shot. Also, one of their founders, Huey Newton, was put in jail. The kids at the center will join a rally. This rally will protest these unfair events.
Unexpected Events
After a fun day trip to San Francisco, the sisters return home. They find their mother, Cecile, and two Black Panther members being arrested. Cecile tells the police she has no children. So, the girls pretend to live next door. Soon, a friend from the Center, Hirohito, comes for the girls. He lets them stay with him and his mother. They stay there until Cecile comes home.
The Rally and a Surprise
The day of the rally arrives. During the talent show, the girls perform a poem. It was written by their mother. They found it while cleaning the kitchen after her arrest. After their performance, Fern takes the microphone. She tells the Black Panthers something important. She saw one of their members, "Crazy" Kelvin, talking nicely with the police. This gets him into trouble with the party members.
At the rally, the sisters see their mother. She has been released from jail. They go home with her. Delphine and Cecile's relationship is still a bit difficult. But Cecile tells Delphine about her own life. She lost her mother at age eleven. She had a tough life after that. She tries to explain why she left her children. Delphine is still too young to fully understand. The next day, the girls finally hug their mother. Then they return home.
Meet the Characters
- Delphine Gaither: She is 11 years old. Delphine is a very responsible girl. She takes good care of her two younger sisters. She is mature and caring. She also tells the story.
- Vonetta Gaither: She is 9 years old. Vonetta likes to be the center of attention. She is outgoing and loves to perform. She is also quite feisty!
- Fern (Afua) Gaither: She is 7 and a half. Fern is the youngest sister. She is brave and speaks her mind. She is very attached to her doll, Miss PattyCake.
- Cecile (Nzila) Johnson: She is Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern's mother. Cecile is a poet. She moved to California and left her daughters. She also supports the Black Panthers.
- Louis Gaither (Pa): He is Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern's father.
- Big Ma: She is Louis's mother. She has been taking care of her grandchildren since their mother left. She does not approve of Cecile and her actions.
- Darnell Gaither: He is Louis's younger brother. He is fighting in the Vietnam War.
- "Crazy" Kelvin: He is a member of the Black Panthers. He is also secretly giving information to the police.
- Sister Mukumbu: She is a teacher at The People's Center. She helps the Gaither sisters get involved in Black Panther activities.
- Sister Pat: She also works at The People's Center.
- Eunice, Janice, and Beatrice Ankton: These are three sisters who go to The People's Center. They become friends with the Gaither sisters.
- Hirohito Woods: He is a boy who is both Japanese and African-American. He goes to The People's Center. His father was arrested for being a freedom fighter.
- Mrs. Woods: She is Hirohito's mother. She takes care of the Gaither sisters after Cecile is arrested.
- "Mean Lady" Ming: She owns the Chinese restaurant that Cecile likes best. She is not very nice to the girls at first.
More Books in the Series
One Crazy Summer is the first book in the Gaither Sisters Series.
- The second book is called P.S. Be Eleven. It was published in 2013. In this book, the girls return home to Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
- The third book is Gone Crazy in Alabama. It came out in 2015. In this story, the sisters visit their relatives in Autauga County, Alabama.
Both of these sequel books also won the Coretta Scott King Award.
Who Should Read This Book?
This book is a great read for kids aged 9–12. It has a Lexile measure of 750L.
Awards and Honors
- National Book Award finalist (2010)
- Coretta Scott King Award (2011)
- Newbery Medal Honor (2011)
- Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2011)
