One Crazy Summer
Bibliography
Garcia-Williams, R. 2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York, NY. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780060760885
Plot Summary
Delphine is an eleven year old African-American, who at her young age has to take care of her younger sisters (Vonetta and Fern). Although they live in New York with Big Ma and Papa, they will be spending their summer with their estranged mother (Cecile) in Oakland, California. The stay was exactly what Delphine had expected, Cecile wants nothing to do with them. From the beginning Delphine thought that something was strange with Cecile. Cecile would cover her face and wear men's clothing. Delphine started to suspect that her mom was involved with the Black Panthers. Delphine and her sisters spend everyday at the Center. It was there where she started to understand what the people were fighting for (equal rights). She learned about the Black Panther’s movement towards equal rights. Although she didn’t want to get involved, the sisters ended up participating in the peaceful rally. It was there that her mom started seeing them as her children and accepting them and that was what Delpine wanted for her and her sisters.
Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers)
ONE CRAZY SUMMER is a fiction novel which covers the literary elements of plot. Which includes the settings, character development, conflicts and resolution. The
Characterization of the main character’s emotions, actions and dialogue play a critical role in character development.
Some of the culture markers that appeared in this novel was the reference to the main characters’ skin tone. From the beginning of the novel the words “colored girls”, “tall dark brown woman” and “Hershey colored” were mentioned by the main character (Delphine) and the flight stewardess. This is important because it will help develop the conflict and resolution of the novel. Cecile’s actions in the beginning will also play a pivotal role in developing the plot of the story.
Another important cultural marker in the novel is the connection between other cultures. For example, the girls meet Mean Lady Ming, the Chinese lady that owned a restaurant. Because Cecile wouldn’t cook for them, they were sent to get food from this place. Cecile was very specific with the kind of food they should order like: shrimp lo mein, egg rolls and a Pepsi.
The time period in which the novel was set also plays a critical role and provides evidence of cultural markers. While attending the Center the girls get involved with the Black Panther Party. The Black Panther Party’s goal was to empower the minority people with information about their rights. They didn’t know it at the time, but their mother was also involved with this organization. The novel makes references to the organization’s leaders Huey Newton (African-American) and Bobby Seale (African-American). It was all this mystery and violence that led the novel to its climax and ultimately the resolution.
Review Excerpts
Newbery Honor Book
National Book Award
Scott O’Dell Award Historical Fiction
Coretta Scott King Award 2011
Kirkus Review: The depiction of the time is well done, and while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults, their resilience is celebrated and energetically told with writing that snaps off the page. (Historical fiction. 9-12)
School Library Journal Review: Emilia Packard , Apr 01, 2025 The personal is profoundly political, and a specific experience feels universally meaningful in this fantastic graphic novel, highly recommended for all middle grade readers.
Connections
A Sitting in St. James by Rita Williams-Garcia
Teachers or Librarians use this novel to teach character development using a character map graphic organizer.
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