Historical Fiction Review #2

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York: Amistad. ISBN 978-0-06-076088-5

AUDIO REVIEW

This title was reviewed by listening to an unabridged, boxed set of 5 CD’s that lasted a total of 5 hours and 25minutes. It was narrated by a young adult female named Sisi Aisha Johnson. The Sound quality had clear pronunciations with no background noise. Johnson used her voice to create multiple voices for the multiple characters in the story and imitated African American Vernacular English. Introductory and closing comments were not included. A mystery male voice talked when the end of a CD had been reached and prompted the listener to switch to the next CD in the series.

The listening experience seemed boring and slow to engage. It wasn’t until I was listening to the last CD where the story climaxed and I suddenly wanted to keep listening to find out how the story was going to end. Reading the book would have probably kept me better connected to the story. I found my mind wandering at times when I was supposed to be listening to this very long audio.

PLOT SUMMARY

In 1968, 11-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, are flown to Oakland, California to visit their mother, Cecile, for the summer. Cecile deserted them when they were younger and went to Oakland to live her own life. Delphine suddenly understands why her grandmother has always referred to Cecile as “crazy.”

After arriving, the girls quickly realize that Cecile has no use or desire to have them around, much less in her house so she sends them daily to the Black Panther Community Center where they are fed and looked after. Hoping to see movie stars and visit Disney World were a mute chance. While the girls are at the center daily, they learn about the revolution that’s going on for more “Black Power.” Cecile continues living in her own little mysterious world writing poetry behind closed doors in her kitchen and answers the door to interact in conversation with strange men wearing berets.

Delphine is forced to act responsibly and be the mature one in charge of keeping her younger sisters behaved and quiet since Cecile wants nothing to do with them. By the end of the summer, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern have officially been taught to embrace standing up for the protection of African American minorities. At the same time, Cecile finally offers some much needed affection towards her girls in her own unique way.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a story that shares the forming of a minority group that made a name for themselves in California back in 1966. African Americans formed a group called the Black Panthers that were part of the civil rights period proposing a more violent approach in achieving the goal to stop oppression.

The protagonist, Delphine, and her sisters learn first-hand about the Black Panthers because their mother needs a place to dispose of them during the day so she isn’t bothered. During this daily exposure, the girls absorb the pro-active measures that the Black Panthers take to represent themselves. Some things are agreeable in doing like passing out pamphlets while other actions like attending a rally make Delphine unwilling. The author does a great job weaving historical information into her story plot.

Cecile’s ability to write poetry empowers her to stand up for what she believes. Figuring out how to break this focus so she can act more like a loving mother becomes a goal for Delphine. She finally figures out by the end of the story how to get Cecile to show some interest in her girls.

Delphine and her sisters speak to each other in a familiar and knowing way. The two younger sisters clearly think and act like their age, leaving 11-year -old Delphine the responsibility to think more like an adult, since Cecile is not interested in playing that role.

Being that the audio version I listened to didn’t include notes that the author wanted to share about her book and what prodded her to write about this time in history, I was left questions. Specifically, I ended up using the Internet to help me learn more about the Black Panther Party.

AWARD & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Newbery Honor Book 2011

King Medal Author Award 2011

Booklist Books for Middle Readers 2010

Best Books of the Year 2010

Book Links Lasting Connections 2010

Fanfare 2010

Historical and Realistic Fiction 2011

Notable Children’s Books for Middle Readers 2011

Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts 2011

BOOK LIST starred: “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.”

HORN BOOK: “The setting and time period are as vividly realized as the characters, and readers will want to know more about Delphine and her sisters after they return to Brooklyn with their radical new ideas about the world.”

LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION: “Modern young readers will find it interesting to read about the conflicting views of the African-American community at that time, as I was. They certainly will be intrigued by the plight of these three children who are caught up in the major issues of that time, made all the more poignant by the insightful first-person narrative of this precocious young girl. Highly Recommended.”

KIRKUS REVIEW starred: “Williams-Garcia provides details that make each characterization crystal clear. 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.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “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. With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “A 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.”

CONNECTIONS

*Research the legacy of the Black Panther Party by visiting www.blackpanther.org

*View a historical photo tour of the Black Panthers at http://www.bobbyseale.com/phototour/1.htm

*Read other books with an African American influence written by Rita Williams-Garcia such as: LIKE SISTERS ON THE HOMEFRONT, JUMPED, and FAST TALK ON A SLOW TRACK

*Utilize the dialogue in the book to teach using quotation marks.

*Have students reflect and discuss the following questions:

Contemporary Significance: How important was it to people at the time, perhaps in having equal power no matter the color of skin?

Profundity: How deeply were people affected?

Quantity: How many people were affected?

Durability: How long lasting were the effects?

Relevance: How does it help us understand current issues and events?

*Using a map, string and ruler, determine the route with the fewest miles for traveling in a car from Brooklyn, New York to Oakland, California

* Have students create a Museum Box for the historical aspects that are represented in ONE CRAZY SUMMER at http://museumbox.e2bn.org/index.php