What begins as an awkward family reunion transforms into an eye-opening journey in Rita Williams-Garcia’s “One Crazy Summer.” “One Crazy Summer” is a powerful middle-grade novel set in 1968 Oakland, California, and told through the eyes of 11-year-old Delphine, who is spending the summer with her two younger sisters and their estranged mother, Cecile.
Cecile has become involved with the Black Panther Party, and suddenly the girls are thrust into a world that challenges everything they thought they knew about their mother, their heritage, and the society around them. Delphine serves as both narrator and protective older sister, carrying the weight of responsibility while trying to make sense of the revolutionary activities swirling around her.
The author doesn’t shy away from depicting the realities of the Black Panther Party’s community programs, including their breakfast program for children and their commitment to Black pride and self-determination.
“One Crazy Summer” succeeds brilliantly as both historical fiction and coming-of-age story, earning well-deserved recognition, including the Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Williams-Garcia creates characters who feel genuine and relatable, particularly in how she captures the complicated dynamics of family relationships.
This novel offers young readers an accessible entry point into learning about the Civil Rights era. It’s a book that respects its young audience’s intelligence while providing both entertainment and education.
Recommended for ages 9+.
