91 pages • 3 hours read
Rita Williams-GarciaOne Crazy Summer
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In 1968, Delphine Gaither and her younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, spend a summer in Oakland, California, with their estranged mother, Cecile Johnson, who left them years ago. They encounter a different lifestyle and become involved with the Black Panther movement, attending a community center that provides meals and education. Their experiences challenge their perceptions of family and identity, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of their mother's struggles and a stronger family bond. This book contains themes of police brutality and racial discrimination.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia has garnered praise for its vivid historical setting, complex characters, and engaging narrative centered on three sisters visiting their estranged mother in 1968 Oakland. Critics commend its exploration of African American identity and family bonds but note occasional predictability and pacing issues. Overall, it is celebrated for its educational value and emotional depth.
Who Should Read One Crazy Summer?
Readers who enjoy middle-grade historical fiction with strong, relatable characters would love One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Similar to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor and Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, this book offers an engaging look at the complexities of family, identity, and civil rights.
RecommendedReading Age
9-12yearsLexile Level
750L