She spends a bit of time agonizing over that question, why her mother named her that, and never really finds out. Some kind of explanation there would have been nice. Race and family and forgiveness and growth. Everyone grows in this book. You might just find yourself happily ensconced in the world of Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern without ever wishing to leave it. If this is how Ms. Williams-Garcia writes books for kids, then she better stop writing all that teen fare and crank a couple more like this one.
Kids are gonna dig it. I mention in my review that this is Ms. Her No Laughter Here was also considered middle grade in several circles. Personally I consider it early teen, but still teen, whereas this book is definitely on the younger side of things. Notes on the Cover: I like it, I like it, I like it. This one is remarkably beautiful. Granted, not a lot of Black Panther action going on. I like the colors, all hot and red and summery.
I like the fade done to the font of the title. I like the presence of Miss Patty Cake. And is she dancing with suspenders or something? The girl front and center looks younger than Vonetta, but I think that may just be because of how her face is shot. I love her hair, coming off of her head equally on one side and the other. It must be Delphine. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person.
Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: Rita is a brilliant writer and mentor, and an incredibly lovely person. Something to be admired indeed! Regardless of character age-level, I would classify No Laughter Here as a YA novel because of the subject matter, and I believe Harper marketed it that way.
Yep, the age-level of the characters tends to throw people off. It definitely contains some mature content. You beat me to this. I can still hear Thulani speak but this one is very clearly YA, Betsy. But then I looked a little further. As far as the book itself, I have some discomfort with it. Specifically, I think the Black Panthers are portrayed too positively, and the police are portrayed too negatively.
However, I am encouraged by Williams-Garcia's affirmation that students should challenge the books they read. My students have enjoyed this book, and they are discussing topics and ideas that I've never seen 6th graders handle before. This was so great - it's going on to the virtual shelf of MG books that present difficult, even painful family dynamics with a light and humorous touch. Delphine is wonderful, and the time and place beautifully depicted. It was also great to learn about the type of summer camp the Black Panthers ran in many communities.
I especially loved the way we see Delphine finally able to voice her anger at her mother for leaving, and know that's not the end of it. Just one small quote: I wouldn't be exa This was so great - it's going on to the virtual shelf of MG books that present difficult, even painful family dynamics with a light and humorous touch. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I was born knowing what to do when I sat with Cecile: I could talk, but I'd learned that, as long as I was quiet, I was allowed to stay with her while she tapped against the wall with her pencil, wrote and wrote and said her rhymes over and over.
Amazingly I ended up understanding Cecile a lot better than I expected to for most of the book, and that's another thing that's really well done. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the correspondence between Delphine and her mother in the next book. One Crazy Summer is a refreshing, beautifully written middle grade historical fiction novel set in s Oakland, California. This story also deals with pretty heavy subjects, primarily involving racism in a turbulent time and place - and it does a good job of handling the topic and not sugar coating difficult situa One Crazy Summer is a refreshing, beautifully written middle grade historical fiction novel set in s Oakland, California.
This story also deals with pretty heavy subjects, primarily involving racism in a turbulent time and place - and it does a good job of handling the topic and not sugar coating difficult situations. I believe that this is the first time I've read a novel featuring the Black Panthers - although I have read nonfiction about the party, and I've seen them appear in documentaries as well as drama tv. It's fascinating seeing how they come across from Delphine and her family's perspective. Overall, One Crazy Summer is a must read if you're interested in realistic historical middle grade fiction.
I will definitely need to continue the Gaither Sisters series with P. Nov 25, Mary Ronan Drew rated it did not like it Recommends it for: This book is a dramatic revisionist history of the Black Panther Party. The book is not particularly well written and most of the "facts" are incorrect. There is a sudden, sentimental, and entirely unbelievable character change at the end. Serious, hard-working and loving characters are disparaged. A mother who abandoned her husband and three children to become a poet and find herself is presented positively.
I read this children's book as a potential Newbery winner. I think, unfortunately, it ma This book is a dramatic revisionist history of the Black Panther Party. I think, unfortunately, it may be a contender. View all 8 comments. Excellent novel for middle grade readers in particular to learn about the sixties and the Black Panthers.
Fast enjoyable read and full of a lot of sentiment and humour. Check out my in-depth review http: Aug 26, Monica Edinger rated it it was amazing Shelves: My New York Times review. Mar 12, Jennifer rated it it was amazing Shelves: When Rita Williams-Garcia visited the Tween Media Literacy class I co-taught this past fall as a guest speaker, she dubbed her latest effort " The Penderwicks meets The Black Panthers," and I can't think of a more apt description than that!
The world of 's activism and the Black Power movement is seen through the eyes of eleven-year-old Delphine, who, along with her two younger sisters, are visiting their mother for the first time in the summer of Cecile abandoned the family when the gi When Rita Williams-Garcia visited the Tween Media Literacy class I co-taught this past fall as a guest speaker, she dubbed her latest effort " The Penderwicks meets The Black Panthers," and I can't think of a more apt description than that! Cecile abandoned the family when the girls were just toddlers, and their father thinks it's high time they got to know each other, so he sends the sibs on a plane from New York City to Oakland, California.
Delphine has a hard time reading the sullen, angry woman who writes poetry, is marginally involved with The Black Panthers, and openly admits that "I didn't send for you. Didn't want you in the first place. By summer's end, after taking part in a peaceful protest, they still don't have all the answers, but they have caught a glimpse into their mother's life and begun to understand the subtle difference between public, personal and family politics. The unusual topic, the rich, warm lyricism of the writing, and the perfectly executed portrayal of a child's eye view of a controversial political movement just scream "Newbery!
If this title doesn't garner a load of awards come next January, I'll eat my hat. Apr 21, Marjorie Ingall rated it it was amazing Shelves: This didn't just blow my socks off; it blew them through space and time. Turns out Cecile, who now goes by Nzila, wants nothing to do with her daughters who live with their dad and grandmother -- she's now a poet and an associate of the Black Panth This didn't just blow my socks off; it blew them through space and time. Turns out Cecile, who now goes by Nzila, wants nothing to do with her daughters who live with their dad and grandmother -- she's now a poet and an associate of the Black Panthers who seems to be seething at the girls' very presence in her house; every day she sends them off to the local community center's summer program run by the Panthers.
Yes, it offers an absolutely immersive experience of a particular time and place And I can't recall another character like Cecile in children's lit -- at first she seems like this 60s radical natural-haired terrifying version of an evil queen from a fairy tale Whenever you say a book is "brave" it sounds too noble for words, but I think the portrayal of Cecile is absolutely brave.
Oh, and Delphine is SO endearing. If the world can be divided into the kind of girl readers who identify with Beezus and the kind who identify with Ramona, well, Delphine is for Beezuses like me. One Crazy Summer is totally worth all the starred reviews and Newbury buzz -- but kids will like it as much as all those Guardians of Literature. Mar 15, R. I've heard so many wonderful things about this book since it won the Newbery Honor, I'm embarrassed to admit it's taken me this long to read it. However, as I'd avoided any reviews that seemed spoilery I had no clear idea of what the story was about, except for the story of three sisters growing up in the 's and having some sort of summer adventure.
In short, I had no idea what a fascinating, surprising, soul-searching story was ahead of me, and I'm even more happy now that I went in unspoile I've heard so many wonderful things about this book since it won the Newbery Honor, I'm embarrassed to admit it's taken me this long to read it. In short, I had no idea what a fascinating, surprising, soul-searching story was ahead of me, and I'm even more happy now that I went in unspoiled, because discovering all the historical, social and emotional layers of this book for myself was amazing.
It deals with a time in history, and certainly a perspective on that time, which I'd never read about before; it has a brilliantly authentic eleven-year-old girl narrator and a cast of diverse, flawed, loveable, prickly, complex, passionate, richly human characters; it's full of wit and courage and fear and sorrow; and I would recommend it to anyone -- no, make that shove forcibly at anyone -- who wonders if books for children can really be as well-written and powerful as literature aimed at adults.
If I had one very small criticism to make, it's that the climax and resolution of the book feels slightly pat, even a bit Hollywood, compared to the realism of the rest of the novel. But at the same time, it's also emotionally satisfying and I'm not sure how the story would have felt resolved otherwise, so I find it hard to fault the book much for it. Anyway, I hear there are two more books in this series, and now I can't wait to read them. Rita Williams-Garcia is a wonderful writer.
Jan 26, Katie Lalor rated it really liked it Shelves: I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel because of the history I learned. It centered mostly on the Black Panthers in the late s, which I knew little about. As for the fiction side, I liked that it came from the perspective of children who knew little about the Black Panthers, and also went on an adventure to discover more about their mother. Another thing I enjoyed about the book was the many historical people t I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel because of the history I learned.
Another thing I enjoyed about the book was the many historical people that Rita incorporated in her story, including Gwendolyn Brooks. One question that I have is about the saying, "I have no straw to spin" p.
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Mar 02, Lindsay rated it it was amazing Shelves: So fantastic the second time around. I am excited to discuss this with my kids at the library! Another Newbery Honor book that I read this summer with a totally different touch and color from the last one I read. I am glad to say this one is a winner for me. Cecile is unarguably a horribly neglectful mother.
She does nothing motherly for them. She even puts them into a summer camp held by the Black Panther, a political group fighting for civil rights for black people in the turbulent years in Oakland. At first, they simply go there for a free breakfast but as time goes by, Delphine realizes how dangerous it can be for them to be around The Black Panther.
Delphine is the eldest and the most responsible. More mature, like a teenager. But as we get closer to the end, we witness some moments where Delphine unleashes her emotions and acts like a normal 11 years- old. Not the responsible, dependable one, but a normal girl who wants a warm hug and words of compliment from her mother. The summer they spend in Oakland, living with their neglectful mother is such a big adventure. Each thing they experience might come across trivial at a glance yet it carries a lot of weight on the readers. The execution is subtle, not overly dramatic yet it does touch on the discrimination and prejudice against colored people and how wrongly treated they are even by law enforcement.
A valuable history lesson. I found myself glued to the book, kept on the edge of my seat as to how they end up. The cadence of the dialogue between the Gaither sisters are pleasing to the ear, their characters are all fleshed out. They are all adorable and lovable!
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It reads pretty quickly yet had a strong hold on me. The ending felt a bit rushed yet I was happy with it. Cecile, the neglectful mother finally displays her motherhood even for a little bit and the objective of the sisters visit was finally fulfilled. Come to think of it, could it be from Cecile's conscientiousness that she left her daughters? To keep them safe?
Either way, Delphine, Vonetta, Fern and Cecile. They all grow up and change during their stay in Oakland. Truly an unforgettable tale of an unforgettable summer. I think this book is totally worth a read. Sep 24, Eva Mitnick rated it really liked it Shelves: There's something so refreshing to me about books in which the parents aren't perfect, earnest, cookie-cutter, or generic. Often in children's books, the parents are by far the least interesting characters, which is just not right considering the huge importance parents have in a child's life.
And even though children may often take their parents for granted, that doesn't mean the reader must. In One Crazy Summer, year-old Delphine sure doesn't take her mom for granted. Cecile left Delphine, h There's something so refreshing to me about books in which the parents aren't perfect, earnest, cookie-cutter, or generic. Cecile left Delphine, her 9-year-old sister Vonetta, and her 7-year-old sister Fern when Fern was just a baby - and now their father has decided it's time for the three girls to fly out from New York to Oakland for the summer of to get to know their long-lost mother Cecile.
Cecile - or Nzilla as she calls herself now - is formidable. Tall and given to wearing pants, hats, scarves, and sunglasses, she exudes an exciting menace and intensity - which is absolutely not for show, as she is so focused on her poetry that she has little attention left over to share with her 3 daughters or anyone else.
There is no softness or give to her and she doesn't care what anyone thinks. She won't even waste a kind word on her own kids, much less give them breakfast or lunch, but at least she is always true to her own nature. If it wasn't for her extreme selfishness, especially where her daughters are concerned, I'd find her quite admirable. Delphine, a pragmatic and "plain" child as in plain-spoken, plain-thinking , thinks her mom is crazy, pure and simple, and isn't thrilled to have to be spending all day every day at a day camp run by the Black Panthers, where she has to watch Vonetta make lots of friends instantly and defend Fern from people who make fun of her for loving her little white baby doll Miss Patty Cake.
It's surely difficult being the sensible big sister when you're thrust into a bizarre situation. Throughout the next few weeks, Delphine figures out how to make the visit work, making delicate arrangements with her mom such as being allowed in the kitchen - where Nzilla's printing press is - to make dinner , making a few friends, observing the goings-on of the Black Panthers with a wary eye, and even managing to take her sisters on a great trip to San Francisco.
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When her mother is arrested and later released, she and her mother have a showdown that is both painful and cathartic, and for me the most powerful part of the whole book. Throughout this novel are many moments that illustrate the often uncomfortable and awkward rubbing together of the old Black culture Delphine's grandma Big Ma, for example, who refers to herself as Negro or Colored and the new the Black Panthers, modern career women who don't automatically identify with Big Ma just because they share the same race.
Delphine observes and judges it all, but refrains from forming her own hard and fast opinion - or perhaps it's just that she would rather try to get through each day. Delphine takes so much on her shoulders - finally her own mother rather ironically advises her to just let go, have fun, and be eleven years old. The part of this book that touched me most is the way Delphine keeps thinking and worrying about Fern and her white baby doll Miss Patty Cake.
Fern has loved that doll since she was an infant - but when Vonetta ruins Miss Patty Cake in a fit of rage, Fern seems to forget all about the doll.
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What does it mean? How can Fern forget all about something she has loved so long and so deeply? Is she mourning her on the inside? What is going on? It makes us wonder, too, which brings us back to the mystery of Cecile and how she could leave her family. There aren't any real answers, but lots to ponder. The climax at the protest, with the girls' reciting of Nzilla's poem and Fern's own bombshell of a poem, felt inauthentic to me - it was too much a Book Moment, especially Fern's part.
Could a 7-year-old really understand what the scene she witnessed meant, and articulate it so forcefully? It was effective - but at the price of the realism that pervades the rest of the book. As the third generation to be born in Oakland, after my dad and my dad's mom broke the chain with my own kids, darn it , I'm thrilled to see a slice of Oakland history, and of Black history, brought to such vivid life.
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Now a part of me will always see Oakland through Delphine's eyes. Highly recommended for grades 4 - 7. Y, on April 13, My mother, Miss Essie, named me 'NoMo' immediately after my birth. Although I was her last child, I took my time making my appearance. Even now, my daughters call me 'Pokey Mom', because I slow poke around when they want to go-go-go. In the midst of real events, I daydreamed and wrote stories. Writing stories for young people is my passion and my mission.
They hunger for stories that engage them and reflect their images and experiences. Other books in the series. Gaither Sisters 3 books. Books by Rita Williams-Garcia. Trivia About One Crazy Summer Quotes from One Crazy Summer. The thing we do when the world isn't singing a nice tune to us. We sing our own nice tune to drown out ugly. To discover eyes upon you when you expected no one to notice you at all. During the talent show portion, and the girls perform a poem their mother wrote, which they found while cleaning the kitchen after her arrest.
After their recital, Fern takes the microphone and tells the Black Panthers how she saw one of their most vocal members, Crazy Kelvin, interacting agreeably with the police, which gets him in trouble with the party members. At the rally, the sisters see their mother has been released from jail, and return home with her. She tries to explain why she left her children, but Delphine is still too young to understand. The next day, the girls return home, after finally hugging their mother.
There are a multitude of themes to be found in this book. The power of names is another strong idea in the book. Cecile changes her name to Nzila, a Yoruba name meaning "the path.
One Crazy Summer
The theme of women's liberation and advancement in society is also presented in this book. After one of the younger sisters gets a stomach ache, Delphine goes to the store with their Chinese food allowance and cooks real food in the previously forbidden kitchen. This causes an exchange between Delphine and Cecile in which Cecile accuses Delphine of trying to "tie herself to the yoke" and tells her she should not be so quick to "pull the plow.
Other themes include family, forgiveness, and growth. The second book, P. Be Eleven was published in , and features the girls returning to their home in Bedford-Stuyvesant , Brooklyn.