One Crazy Summer

In the summer of 1968, three young sisters travel on their own, sent by their father from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to visit their mother, who walked out on them when Delphine (the oldest, now 11) was only five. They spend a month trying to get to know this woman, who frequently reminds them that she didn't ask for them to visit and won't stand for them to disturb her peace and quiet while she writes poetry. So they spend their days at a community center run by the Black Panthers, coloring protest signs, handing out political flyers, and learning what it means to be empowered.
I love how the two parts of the story - the sisters struggling to come to terms with their mother against the backdrop of Oakland in the late '60s - are woven together so well. It makes a compelling story, made even better by the lively characters of the the three sisters. ( )

I don't normally pick realistic or contemporary types of genre, but I really liked this book. Being told by the sisters point of view, and how she is learning to live out her summer with the mom that abandoned her is such a great story. It is set in Oakland during the riots in the 1960's. The girls don't at first realize that there mom is part of the Black Panther movement, but soon learn that their mom has a side of her that they had no knowledge of, and maybe some experiences in her life that they aren't aware of. ( )

There is so much heart in this book. There are also a lot of hard questions with complicated answers. Kids will learn about the 1960's history that is often brushed over in history books and the perspective of African Americans as they fight for their rights, freedom, and equal treatment.
I believe there is a lot to learn about this book and its characters, and discussions about different types of families, how people treat others and the power of words both spoken and written can make differences in people's lives.

11 year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters don’t believe the stories Big Ma tells them about the mother who ran out on them. When their father sends them across the country to spend a month with their mother, they think it’s going to be one, big, happy family reunion. Instead they meet Cecile, the crazy lady who has no intention of being a mother. Cecile doesn’t cook or entertain children. Delphine knows that its up to her to take care of her sisters and find a way to survive the summer. In this humorous story set amidst a backdrop of the Civil Rights movement, we learn about the power of one girl to have a positive influence on those around her. ( )

This book is an African American novel about three sisters Dephine, Fern, and Nanetta who are living in Brooklyn. They decide to visit their mother in Oakland for their summer vacation. Their mother did not want their visit and was not good to them and she sends them to a camp called Black Panther. The girls learn about equality and racism and they learn how to create a relationship with their mother who enjoys poetry. This book and the illustrations are wonderful and students will be able to learn about the history of African Americans and all they have endured. ( )