One Crazy Summer

I had to think about this book for a couple of days before I felt like I could really review it. I gave it four stars because I think the story was wonderfully told, but to be honest, my heart was breaking for those three little girls. I didn’t know if I should hate their mother just as Big Mama did, or if I should open myself up to forgive her like only a child in want of her mother can. I didn’t know if I should cringe at the rebellious spirit that was being born into those three small children, or if I should celebrate their lessons in standing up for yourself and being confident and who you are. I did not know if I should feel anger at the shame that Delphine felt for always being obedient and responsible, or if I should feel shame with her own acceptance of her circumstances—the oldest sibling, Big Mama’s helper, responsible for everyone around her. However, as I went back through my highlights, I found a quote that helped put this story in perspective: “With Cassius Clay you hear the clash of fists, like the plane getting jabbed and punched. With Muhammad Ali you see a mighty mountain, greater than Everest, and can’t no one knock down a mountain.” This is found at the beginning of the story when Delphine is reflecting on how Big Mama cannot make herself refer to Cassius Clay as Muhammad Ali. Delphine does realize that while the name from before brought forth strong imagery, the new name was even stronger. What changed? His presentation of himself. Changing of names and civil revolution were big themes in the story. Big Mama was unable to change how Southerners viewed her as a black woman, so she taught her grandchildren to respect others and to not rock the boat. While in California with their own mother, they learn to respect others but stand up for your rights; rock the boat peacefully. Their real mother was trying to shake the past and present herself differently by giving herself a new name, but she was still weak until she learns to not hide her past from those who should be closest to her. Big Mama is not a weak character; she is a strong presence to deal with and can come off as harsh at times, but through the eyes of the three sisters, you know that she loves them a great deal. Delphine appeared to be strong at the beginning, but as she goes through the hardships of living with a mom who is neglectful for 28 days, you realize that she is not as strong as she can be. I think that contrast between acceptance and revolution made me struggle through the majority of the text. I felt like the Black Panthers and the events in California made Delphine and the girls looks small and weak; they made it seem that Big Mama and Papa were wrong, but now I know that was not necessarily the case. The love, support, acceptance, and lessons learned from the family that was present in Delphine’s life was foundational to what she learned in California. In California, she learned that she would not always have Big Mama and Papa to shelter them from the negative views of society; she was fully exposed to the racism and to the cajoling of those who felt like they were not racist (the woman who forces them to take nickels, the man who tries to finish his film roll by taking their picture, the group in Chinatown who takes their picture because they are black girls in Chinatown). She had to take the lessons of respect from her Papa and Big Mama and apply them to hose hard situations but then go a step further by standing up for herself and her sisters. She began to lose authority over her siblings, but she still held their respect and was allowed to be more like the eleven year old child that she was. Those who represented violence and hatred as revolutionary weapons became weak and cowardly by the end. Those who promoted respect were strong, but the strongest were those who knew how to take it a step further and ask respectfully for respect back; Not with a sashay of hips as you walk away from being told no and a noticeably fake thank you, but with your head held high and a sincere thank you for taking the time to allow me to voice my concerns and opinions even though they were not accepted and then move on to the next person until there are many that are of one mind. I think Big Mama would be proud of that change in her girls, and I imagine that is exactly what Papa hoped for when he sent his children from NY to CA to get to know a mama that abandoned her three daughters when the eldest was around five years old. However, I was glad when they boarded their plane to return to the safety of Papa and Big Mama’s house.

I really enjoyed this window into a collage of experiences that I, as a white person, cannot directly relate to for the most part. Williams-Garcia addresses abandonment, too-early responsibility, and the day-to-day life of the late-60s Black Panther movement in Oakland. While I know something about being the daughter of a woman who is not capable of being a mother, I only know snippets about the Black Panthers, and they are largely shaped by mainstream media. Regarding this theme, there are many nuances to be gleaned between the lines, such as a woman's reticence to fully engage in the movement, or the implications of a child ratting out a fink. Published in 2011, this book still holds current cultural significance for large portions of our society. Personally, this is one of those times when an artful novel brings me some understanding of a life I'll never experience, and hopefully enlarges my own humanity in doing so. May I approach the enlightenment here offered as a fellow being on this planet, and not a sightseer snapping a photo to capture gooey crooning over foreign-to-me cuteness.

This book will make you travel to the sixties, and we learn a lot about the struggles that African Americans had to face (and still have to face today). The vivid interesting details of the places make the read compelling. However, I am giving it two stars because Cecile, the mother who abandoned her three daughters, is so full of hatred. The hate she expresses toward her daughters is not credible. I read this book with my twelve year old daughter. The way Cecile treated her daughters made no sense to us. Cecile lost her mother at age 11, and then she was abandoned by her aunt. She became homeless when she was a teenager. This horrible experience does not justify her attitude towards her children. Her sad childhood should have strengthened the bond with her daughters. The harsh circumstances she had to deal with during her adult years do not justify his hate toward her own children either. The first half of the book delineates the characters poorly. They do not feel authentic. In the second half, the characters start to come to life as the writer makes the characters more complex, quirky and interesting. The book taught me something about the Black Panthers. I also noticed that the author shows the sexism ingrained in the culture. If the author had portrayed Cecile in a more realistic way I would have given this book five stars, but she painted her in a dreadful light. Black women already face discrimination on so many levels. (We don't need a book that ignites more hate against women). Cecile's mother-in-law was annoying by being such a conformist and Cecile's ex-husband turned out to be a person who had taken advantage of Cecile. This book is full of bad stereotypes against black people. All in all, if you want to feel hopeless read this book. If you prefer something inspiring, choose something else. I would not recommend this book for middle schoolers unless you read it with them to have a healthy discussion.

All the feelings. All the perspectives. All the interesting facts I needed to know more of. The characters’ voices are strong and deep and the story serves as a perfect timeline to watch them grow, evolve and get to know one another. Being inside Delphine’s head especially made this growth more significant, how she was eleven going on twelve to end up being just eleven. The sisters’ dynamics felt real and good, the community strong bonds were told rightfully so, without much of a fuss. The ending got me teary eyed and I’m only too happy to be recommending this one and the others in the series to my middle grade students and anyone else really.

My son had to read this book , for mandatory summer read this is what he thought about it!- I think it was a good book because it about 3 girl’s that went looking for their mother that abandoned them and at the end at the story the mother got arrested and said those weren’t her kids but only said that cause if she said those were her kids they would of went to Orphanage.

When sisters Delphine, Vonetta and Fern go to visit their mother in California for a month, they imagine surfing at the beach, getting autographs from movie stars and going to Disneyland. What they end up doing is going to a Black Panther day camp all month. They also end up eating a lot of Chinese take-out and meals cooked by 11-year-old Delphine; since their poet mother, who abandoned them years earlier, appeared to have little concern about their nourishment needs and safety. She was more concerned they did not end up kowtowing to whites like their paternal grandmother did, and did not end up being subservient females who adopted roles society expected them to adopt. A sad story about motherless girls, right? Wrong. These three girls, who lived in Brooklyn with their father and grandmother, were highly resilient and obviously weren't pining for a loving mother. They knew right off, too, where their mother stood when it came to motherhood, and knew she obviously did not really want them there with her. There were no lies of love to confuse them, and Delphine was used to mothering her younger sisters, and they were used to her taking care of them. Plus, they still had fun anyway they could, and knew there would be plenty to talk about when they got back home, including their important new understanding of the term "black power".

Spreading dysfunction throughout the ages, this book shows how a middle school aged girls is forced to care for her two younger siblings as her mother avoids parenting.

Can't get enough of my little country gals... Delphine, Vonetta and Afua aka Fern!!! I didn't actually read the book, my daughter did... but with constant communication I could almost feel as if I was in the setting with the little girls. Their mom, Cecile aka Nzila... their grandma, Big Ma and uncle Darnell all came to life to me. Every little black girl need to read these books!! One Crazy Summer Gone Crazy in Alabama P.S Be Eleven We live us some Rita Williams-Garcia!! Please write a book with the girls going to live with their mom... that would be epic!!

I loved this book and felt it captured a summer for me in California with my brothers , sister and cousins. We actually went to a black panther summer program and it was unforgettable and life changing. Thank you Rita for writing it. I loved the characters and your words. I had tears in my eyes. I have two more of your books in this series , a gift from a friend who is a teacher. I can't wait to read them!

Although it took most of the story for me to start caring about Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern, I was glad I read the book. I grew up in a small Midwestern town in the 1960s, and I remember thinking the Black Panthers were violent and destructive. Reading One Crazy Summer cured me of any lingering misunderstandings I still harbored, but I still found it difficult to relate to Delphine's challenges. I liked her, though, and that's what kept me moving. She's strong, believable, and admirable. I always enjoy reading about life experiences different from my own, but I did find this story harder to relate to than most. However, the writing is solid, and I learned more than I expected to learn.

I had to think about this book for a couple of days before I felt like I could really review it. I gave it four stars because I think the story was wonderfully told, but to be honest, my heart was breaking for those three little girls. I didn’t know if I should hate their mother just as Big Mama did, or if I should open myself up to forgive her like only a child in want of her mother can. I didn’t know if I should cringe at the rebellious spirit that was being born into those three small children, or if I should celebrate their lessons in standing up for yourself and being confident and who you are. I did not know if I should feel anger at the shame that Delphine felt for always being obedient and responsible, or if I should feel shame with her own acceptance of her circumstances—the oldest sibling, Big Mama’s helper, responsible for everyone around her. However, as I went back through my highlights, I found a quote that helped put this story in perspective: “With Cassius Clay you hear the clash of fists, like the plane getting jabbed and punched. With Muhammad Ali you see a mighty mountain, greater than Everest, and can’t no one knock down a mountain.” This is found at the beginning of the story when Delphine is reflecting on how Big Mama cannot make herself refer to Cassius Clay as Muhammad Ali. Delphine does realize that while the name from before brought forth strong imagery, the new name was even stronger. What changed? His presentation of himself. Changing of names and civil revolution were big themes in the story. Big Mama was unable to change how Southerners viewed her as a black woman, so she taught her grandchildren to respect others and to not rock the boat. While in California with their own mother, they learn to respect others but stand up for your rights; rock the boat peacefully. Their real mother was trying to shake the past and present herself differently by giving herself a new name, but she was still weak until she learns to not hide her past from those who should be closest to her. Big Mama is not a weak character; she is a strong presence to deal with and can come off as harsh at times, but through the eyes of the three sisters, you know that she loves them a great deal. Delphine appeared to be strong at the beginning, but as she goes through the hardships of living with a mom who is neglectful for 28 days, you realize that she is not as strong as she can be. I think that contrast between acceptance and revolution made me struggle through the majority of the text. I felt like the Black Panthers and the events in California made Delphine and the girls looks small and weak; they made it seem that Big Mama and Papa were wrong, but now I know that was not necessarily the case. The love, support, acceptance, and lessons learned from the family that was present in Delphine’s life was foundational to what she learned in California. In California, she learned that she would not always have Big Mama and Papa to shelter them from the negative views of society; she was fully exposed to the racism and to the cajoling of those who felt like they were not racist (the woman who forces them to take nickels, the man who tries to finish his film roll by taking their picture, the group in Chinatown who takes their picture because they are black girls in Chinatown). She had to take the lessons of respect from her Papa and Big Mama and apply them to hose hard situations but then go a step further by standing up for herself and her sisters. She began to lose authority over her siblings, but she still held their respect and was allowed to be more like the eleven year old child that she was. Those who represented violence and hatred as revolutionary weapons became weak and cowardly by the end. Those who promoted respect were strong, but the strongest were those who knew how to take it a step further and ask respectfully for respect back; Not with a sashay of hips as you walk away from being told no and a noticeably fake thank you, but with your head held high and a sincere thank you for taking the time to allow me to voice my concerns and opinions even though they were not accepted and then move on to the next person until there are many that are of one mind. I think Big Mama would be proud of that change in her girls, and I imagine that is exactly what Papa hoped for when he sent his children from NY to CA to get to know a mama that abandoned her three daughters when the eldest was around five years old. However, I was glad when they boarded their plane to return to the safety of Papa and Big Mama’s house.

I really enjoyed this window into a collage of experiences that I, as a white person, cannot directly relate to for the most part. Williams-Garcia addresses abandonment, too-early responsibility, and the day-to-day life of the late-60s Black Panther movement in Oakland. While I know something about being the daughter of a woman who is not capable of being a mother, I only know snippets about the Black Panthers, and they are largely shaped by mainstream media. Regarding this theme, there are many nuances to be gleaned between the lines, such as a woman's reticence to fully engage in the movement, or the implications of a child ratting out a fink. Published in 2011, this book still holds current cultural significance for large portions of our society. Personally, this is one of those times when an artful novel brings me some understanding of a life I'll never experience, and hopefully enlarges my own humanity in doing so. May I approach the enlightenment here offered as a fellow being on this planet, and not a sightseer snapping a photo to capture gooey crooning over foreign-to-me cuteness.

This book will make you travel to the sixties, and we learn a lot about the struggles that African Americans had to face (and still have to face today). The vivid interesting details of the places make the read compelling. However, I am giving it two stars because Cecile, the mother who abandoned her three daughters, is so full of hatred. The hate she expresses toward her daughters is not credible. I read this book with my twelve year old daughter. The way Cecile treated her daughters made no sense to us. Cecile lost her mother at age 11, and then she was abandoned by her aunt. She became homeless when she was a teenager. This horrible experience does not justify her attitude towards her children. Her sad childhood should have strengthened the bond with her daughters. The harsh circumstances she had to deal with during her adult years do not justify his hate toward her own children either. The first half of the book delineates the characters poorly. They do not feel authentic. In the second half, the characters start to come to life as the writer makes the characters more complex, quirky and interesting. The book taught me something about the Black Panthers. I also noticed that the author shows the sexism ingrained in the culture. If the author had portrayed Cecile in a more realistic way I would have given this book five stars, but she painted her in a dreadful light. Black women already face discrimination on so many levels. (We don't need a book that ignites more hate against women). Cecile's mother-in-law was annoying by being such a conformist and Cecile's ex-husband turned out to be a person who had taken advantage of Cecile. This book is full of bad stereotypes against black people. All in all, if you want to feel hopeless read this book. If you prefer something inspiring, choose something else. I would not recommend this book for middle schoolers unless you read it with them to have a healthy discussion.

All the feelings. All the perspectives. All the interesting facts I needed to know more of. The characters’ voices are strong and deep and the story serves as a perfect timeline to watch them grow, evolve and get to know one another. Being inside Delphine’s head especially made this growth more significant, how she was eleven going on twelve to end up being just eleven. The sisters’ dynamics felt real and good, the community strong bonds were told rightfully so, without much of a fuss. The ending got me teary eyed and I’m only too happy to be recommending this one and the others in the series to my middle grade students and anyone else really.

My son had to read this book , for mandatory summer read this is what he thought about it!- I think it was a good book because it about 3 girl’s that went looking for their mother that abandoned them and at the end at the story the mother got arrested and said those weren’t her kids but only said that cause if she said those were her kids they would of went to Orphanage.

When sisters Delphine, Vonetta and Fern go to visit their mother in California for a month, they imagine surfing at the beach, getting autographs from movie stars and going to Disneyland. What they end up doing is going to a Black Panther day camp all month. They also end up eating a lot of Chinese take-out and meals cooked by 11-year-old Delphine; since their poet mother, who abandoned them years earlier, appeared to have little concern about their nourishment needs and safety. She was more concerned they did not end up kowtowing to whites like their paternal grandmother did, and did not end up being subservient females who adopted roles society expected them to adopt. A sad story about motherless girls, right? Wrong. These three girls, who lived in Brooklyn with their father and grandmother, were highly resilient and obviously weren't pining for a loving mother. They knew right off, too, where their mother stood when it came to motherhood, and knew she obviously did not really want them there with her. There were no lies of love to confuse them, and Delphine was used to mothering her younger sisters, and they were used to her taking care of them. Plus, they still had fun anyway they could, and knew there would be plenty to talk about when they got back home, including their important new understanding of the term "black power".

Spreading dysfunction throughout the ages, this book shows how a middle school aged girls is forced to care for her two younger siblings as her mother avoids parenting.

Can't get enough of my little country gals... Delphine, Vonetta and Afua aka Fern!!! I didn't actually read the book, my daughter did... but with constant communication I could almost feel as if I was in the setting with the little girls. Their mom, Cecile aka Nzila... their grandma, Big Ma and uncle Darnell all came to life to me. Every little black girl need to read these books!! One Crazy Summer Gone Crazy in Alabama P.S Be Eleven We live us some Rita Williams-Garcia!! Please write a book with the girls going to live with their mom... that would be epic!!

I loved this book and felt it captured a summer for me in California with my brothers , sister and cousins. We actually went to a black panther summer program and it was unforgettable and life changing. Thank you Rita for writing it. I loved the characters and your words. I had tears in my eyes. I have two more of your books in this series , a gift from a friend who is a teacher. I can't wait to read them!

Although it took most of the story for me to start caring about Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern, I was glad I read the book. I grew up in a small Midwestern town in the 1960s, and I remember thinking the Black Panthers were violent and destructive. Reading One Crazy Summer cured me of any lingering misunderstandings I still harbored, but I still found it difficult to relate to Delphine's challenges. I liked her, though, and that's what kept me moving. She's strong, believable, and admirable. I always enjoy reading about life experiences different from my own, but I did find this story harder to relate to than most. However, the writing is solid, and I learned more than I expected to learn.

A Real Crazy Story Three girls’ journey to finding who their mother truly is One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia is a fantastic book, It has very funny and lovable characters, they were unforgettable to me and are really one of my favorite book characters ever. The book also had a lot of poetic language in it and that really stood out to me because it made the book way more interesting and intriguing. Lastly, the book addresses real life problems that african americans faced throughout time. I give this book 4.5/5 stars. This story all starts out in 1968, the eldest of 3 sisters, Delphine is a caring and loving, caring sister, she is a mother figure to her sisters Vonetta and Fern. They don't know their mother and on that summer, their grandparents send them across america to Oakland to see their real mother. They set their standards pretty low for what they were going to expect but when they got there, it was even worse. It seemed like their mother, Cecile wanted nothing to do with them.. She treated them bad. Made them get cheap chinese takeout every day. They are sent to a camp and strange men always enter their house. The three girls are very eager to find out who their mother truly is. This is their adventure with so many twists and turns to find out who their mother really is under her shades and her scarf, will they succeed? My first reason why One Crazy Summer is a great book is that it addresses real world problems. If a book has this, it's good because it teaches all the readers a lesson. This book had a lot of this. My first example on page 123 states, “Imagine. To have your father sitting down eating dinner or shining his shoes while watching TV. To have your front door blown off its hinges and the police rush in. To see your father in handcuffs, led away.” This part really got to me. It made me feel very sorry for those african americans that are mistreated by cops like that and we all know how big of a problem that is. My second example on page 76 states, “ Cecile forced us to go to the free Huey rally ‘A teen got shot last rally’ ‘It ain't safe for kids like us,’” This part stood out to me because it told us about the Black Panther rallies and how dangerous they really were. These reasons are why this book addresses real life problems in a great way. My second reason why One Crazy Summer is a great book is that it has great and unforgettable characters. For me, if there isn't relatable characters that i can connect to, I can't really even connect with the book, but this book did a great job with that. My first example on page 215 states “ We weren't about to leave Oakland without getting what we’d come for [...] we needed a hug from our mother.” This was the last page of the book and it really stood out for me because the girls had gone through an internal struggle of their mother not loving them and it really made me love them even more because they never gave up trying and towards the end, she started opening up to them more and more. My second example on page 11 states, “ Heads turned our way. A stewardess rushed to our row. ‘Sit in your seat missy,’ She scolded at me.” This part was really funny and cool because Delphine was telling Vonetta and Fern what to do and she did something wrong and the little girls started yelling at her. This part made me love the characters even more because the little girls didn't care if they were in front of a lot of people, they still had the same personality. These Examples and reasons are why this book had very lovable characters. My last reason why One Crazy Summer is a great book is that it has poetic language. Now, a book doesn't need poetic language that much for me to like it but when it does have it, it is a huge bonus to the book. This book definitely had that. My first example on page 76 states, “A name is important. It isn't something you stop in the litter basket or on the ground. Your name is how people know you.” This phrase right here really stood out to me because I had never heard of someone explain it like that and I totally agreed with what she said. It was poetic because it used a metaphor in it and that metaphor fit in perfectly with what she was trying to say. My second example on page 148 states,” Push here. I move. There. Push. There. I move. Two squares over. Buy those squares. From under my. Feet. i land on. The free square.” This poem by Cecile really stood out to me. At first, I thought Cecile was a bland person, but as I read more and more of the book, I realized what an artist she really was. This personally was my favorite poem of hers because I didn't get it but I loved the wording of it. In conclusion, One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia is a great book, it has very lovable characters, it addresses real life problems happening around the world and lastly, it has poetic language. I recommend this book really to anyone as it has a mix of tastes. Overall, I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Not what I expected, but a good story. Regarding the mom: You want to hate her, but only an older child (and/or adult) will realize forgiveness is to love her. There are other roles and scenarios which also need further explanation throughout the book. Plus, the fact that the setting is in Summer 1968. Some parts were complicated and difficult to explain to an 8 yr old, which is why I think older children would be a better audience. Gave it 5 stars for expressing what abandonment might feel like to children, because not many authors describe it with as much uncategorized pain, confusion and eventual dissonance it tends to create for many. I liked that the story honored the single father's role, as well as, the perspective of love and respect expressed by the CA friend in regard to his own father's role; regardless of dad being away. Father's play a big role in a child's life and not many author's give them credit for the positive influence.

I loved the young girls in the book. Delphine was so smart, mature, and courageous. Her sisters were very different personalities and I liked them. I also enjoyed the narration by Delphine. The author did an excellent job revealing the thoughts and attitudes of the children which was utterly charming. Finally, the book also provides a historical perspective of the Black Panthers that most people don't know. The federal free breakfast program in the nation’s schools was based on the Black Panther's breakfast program.

I don't know if readers too young to remember the events that are the background of One Crazy Summer will love the novel as much as I did, but it is still a wonderful historical fiction/realistic family story. I was the same age as oldest sister, Delphine, in the summer 1968, and I remember from the TV news and adult conversations the events Delphine is experiencing. I, too, could not figure out if the Black Panthers were good guys or scary guys. But I was watching it on TV; Delphine was living it. Sent away from her safe, sheltered life in Brooklyn to Oakland, to visit the mother she has not seen since she was four, turns Delphine's life upside down. She spends her days at a Black Panther day camp learning how to organize demonstrations and stand up for her rights when confronted by police. She learns she is not colored, she is black. She learns her mother is not crazy, she is a victim and a survivor with a strong beautiful poetic voice. She learns her younger sisters can teach her as much as she teaches them. She learns life is complicated. She will teach much to all readers.

I used this book in my class during Black History Month. The students were totally engaged! The social studies teacher supported with the historical aspect while I taught the literary aspect. Great book for cross-curricular instruction.

This was a good, entertaining read. It focuses on 3 sisters visiting their Mother in Oakland, CA. It gives an inside look at what time was life in the summer of 1968, through the eyes of a young black girl. She is a leader & a humble narrator. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a book about family, self rights, & what life was like for these characters.

This is one of my favorite books! It is a story of three young black sisters who live in Brooklyn with their papa and grandmother. They are sent to be with their mother, who lives in California. They do not remember her, since they were all very small when she left them. Now, this one crazy summer, they have 4 weeks to spend with her. To learn who she is and why she left.

This is a good book for middle school. If you are looking for a book to read or a teacher to teach students with, this book is a good choice. I've been teaching for over 25 years, and I was looking for book that would interest students. I ended up not using it as I went on to teach theatre, but I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

The sisters were unforgettable, and the story so honestly written I wanted to cry. Seeing history from their vantage point was sheer genius, and I enjoyed every word. Not a beat out of place. It felt as if I was Delphine throughout the entire story. This book is a treasure, a journey well worth taking!

Well written. Interesting characters. Smart children. Disappointed in mother. Her attitude toward her children was inexcusable. Delphine had too much responsibility for a child, yet accepted it with panache and brilliance. Love it. Will read more by this author.

Why has it taken me so long to read this wonderful book? So glad I finally did. Told through the eyes of a young girl, this story is a journey of discovering where you come from and how you fit into your own world. Three sisters discovering their mother and the life she has been living without them. Three young black girls finding their voices. So well written.

Even though the trilogy of books about the Gaither sisters is a great read for all teenagers, I believe it transcends age. The characterizes of this multi-generational family are well drawn and I believe all readers will fall in love. Also, it is a history lesson of the challenges facing black people in our society in the 60's. You will not be sorry you read this book, a well as the first two books, which I while heartedly recommend also. e

I really liked this book for it's pro freedom of speech ideology. I picked it up for my son, who didn't understand the dialect (even though it was minor) and was completely distracted by it. He's also at the age where all girls have cooties so I chose to drop it for a few months. I love juvenile fiction that depicts events in history.This book tells about a snippet of time (a summer) in the lives of three girls abandoned by their "revolutionary-minded" mother. Not a sugar coated - everything is resolved at the end kind of novel. Worth the read.

Such a good book to read with your students in the month before they start their summer break! There are lesson plans available also. I would recommend to parents of 8-12 year olds. It’s a great read aloud. My kids didn’t want me to stop reading!

This is a great book. I love Delphine! I don't like Vonnetta at all. At first I thought I hated Cecile, but now I love her! Read this book! This is so much better than Bad Magic or Dovewing's silence! Clearly this is the best book in the series! If only every book was as good as this! Sigh. Oh well. It is fun to criticize bad books that deserve nothing. By the way, read rEaD READ!! I'll meet you at the island of reader's dreams or blah blah blah now I'm just typing in random words of encouragement from the third quarter of an inch in diameter the last two years and up and coming home tonight or tomorrow so I'll be there at the last minute. Bye!

I read this aloud to my daughter as a nightly read aloud. This book was amazing! I love all the history intertwined and such an interesting perspective for a young reader. We had so many great conversations during this book and learned great vocabulary too. My daughter is nine a said that she really enjoyed reading this book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is definitely a page turner. Although this book is categorized as young adult, I'm in my 30's and I thought the book was very enjoyable. The subject is pretty heavy, but the author presents the story in a way that makes you want to follow the young girl on their journey and find out what happens at the end. The main character is an amazing little girl. She very responsible for her age. I think many readers will be able to identify with one of the sisters. Although I don't know much about the Black Panthers, I did like that the author incorporated them into the story and was able to enlighten us on the positive things they did.

I bought it, to read on kindle for summer book for my daughter school. At first it seemed a little strong the theme of the story at the beginning for the age of my daughter and having to explain it to her. But it was a great read, very entertaining, educational and with a good message at the end. I would recommend it.

Ugh whats to say more than that. It is so hard to get some boys to read and you want them to have chapter books that are interesting and it's not a movie. I only read the first few chapter and enjoyed. He reads it while going to sleep. Verry happy with this purchase.

Such a great book. My 4th grader was required to read it, and now she wants to read everything else by the author. Super important racial justice history lesson in an engaging story.

I loved this step back in time into a world with which I wasn't familiar. The three sisters captured my heart right away. The story unfolded beautifully through the point of view of an 11 year old. It was the perfect way to tell a relatable story about a tumultuous period in time and the early years of the Black Panthers.

Although a Newberry award nominee, this is one of the best books I've read for understanding racism. The book shows the world through the eyes of a young black girl as she is transported with her two younger sisters from Brooklyn to a Black Panthers' neighbood in Oakland. A wonderfully written, funny, insightful story.

I am a grown adult (!) and I am enjoying this book! Will order the other 2 in the trilogy after I finish this one. Reminds me of sisterhood within families and also the culture of a family structure. A pleasant read.

Man my professor canceled the book report we had on this. It’s probably good tho, why else would she assign it. I never read it tho.

It was an interesting read but more than that, it was insightful and thought-provoking. Young readers would likely enjoy the historical references

I picked out this book as a wish book for my under two year old grand daughter ...it looked like something I thought she should read one day. But then I had another idea. I teach a class on social work practice with African American families..I thought this would be a great book to discuss and use like a case study...little did I know that Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern would take me back in time and capture my heart! My trip was at age nine to Atlanta one summer, and certainly to Dayton, Ohio repeatedly...summer camp and new discoveries. If you've ever made that summer trip or longed to understand family secrets..this is your book!

It was funny, heartwarming and informative,. I particularly liked the way the narrator told the story. Refreshingly lacking in self pity but told with style and panache. Am buying every book in the series, well done writer. I can not stress enough how much I enjoyed this book.

Every thing about this book is a Welcome Memory for Always. Each character is a story in itself. I'll be talking and telling folks about this one for awhile.

I liked this book a lot! It's well written, believable and touching. I'd recommend it for children ages 11 and up. Even though African American children would definitely feel identified, children from other races could benefit from seeing the world from a different perspective and empathize - and who knows? May be they identify with some other aspect of the story; it may relate to them in another way. It is a great book to use as a discussion opener for so many themes: family, feelings of alienation, race, responsibility, first 'crush', standing up for our rights, etc. I hope you enjoy it too!

What a great book. From the beginning to the end there was always some adventure brewing. The characters were so awesome.

Bought this book for a class, but it’s a really good book! Recommend for upper elementary to high school age!

I love that Rita Williams-Garcia uses accurate depictions of the era. I loved sharing with my granddaughters and explaining my own experiences in comparison to those in the book.

One crazy summer was a really inspiring book according to my son. He really enjoyed the suspense and summer adventures the three sisters went on. I recommend this book for anyone who's looking for a historical read.

The book was interesting right from the start. I'm from Oakland and the same era. I would recommend this book for young readers. I haven't been able to read a book for several years. This book was the perfect book to read and allow me start back doing a much loved and missed last time

One Crazy Summer was one of the best books I have ever read. Actually I read it twice. Once by myself and again with my 10year old daughter. She loved it also. There is a 2nd book in this series - PS Be Eleven. Also there is a 3rd book in the works that will be released in early 2015. Cant wait. I love the girls in this series: Vonetta, Fern and Delphine. This story is well written and was such a delight to read.

Great book for young readers to learn a bit about the history of the time by drawing them in with a fictional story...but not really that fictional. It's a believable story, probably happened in some form to children during that time & the facts about that point in history are true. I am an education major, plan to teach 6th grade & I would love to use this book for my classes!

I got lots of things to say.I heard of the rallies and Black Panthers once or twice,But this is just basic FACTS.I love the mysteries that Delphine deals with,show-off Vonetta,And hilarious Fern!Overall,I love this book.Bye (Also,Can you tell Sister Nzila that I said hi?)!

greak book! But dont get me wrong, I support BLM except her specifying that she was black on EVERY SINGLE page was annoying. I already know your black just please continue with the story!

This book was very nice! If you wanted to learn about the segregated times this book is great for that. It would also be a great book If you just want a new interesting book to read. Not only did this book feel like it was fiction, you learned actual things that happened!

Yes, it's a middle reader book, but so. well written in the first person, I felt Delphine was speaking to me. I remember those times and people - both in NYC and Oakland. The point of view of an 11year old was refreshing. True, some of the perceptions were adult like. But weren't we all a little adult like as tweens? Looking foreword to reading book two.

Every student who makes it to middle school has heard of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but how many know about Malcolm X or the Black Panthers? An underrepresented piece of this important history comes alive in this tale of sisterhood, motherhood, and a bigger need to be heard and treated with equality. In Rita Williams-Garcia's beautifully written story, One Crazy Summer comes alive with the way the world existed in Oakland in 1968. Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are packed up and ready to be shipped across the country to spend the summer with their mother Cecile who they haven't seen in years. Once Fern was born, Cecile left them to be cared for by their father and grandmother in Brooklyn and never looked back. While Big Ma questions Papa's judgment for sending them across the country to a woman who doesn't want them, the girls are full of nerves and excitement. As the oldest, Delphine is expected to make sure her sisters behave and don't embarrass Big Ma and Papa by being the "black girls everyone expects them to be". The color of their skin means they have to be better behaved than any white girl would have to be. When they arrive in California, it is clear Cecile didn't want them to come. She sends them by themselves to get Chinese food for dinner every night and to the Center to get free breakfast every morning. She won't even let them into her kitchen to get a proper glass of water. And she doesn't hold back from reminding them that she didn't want them there in the first place. When there is a knock on the door, she shoos them into the back room and tells them to stay back there and stay quiet. But Delphine can't help but peak and she sees men in black clothes with large afros: Black Panthers. She had seen some Panthers in Brooklyn, but they weren't like the men she sees now, with her mother. As the days continue on and Delphine continues to take care of her sisters while her mother ignores them, she starts to learn more and more about who she is as a young black woman. The Center is full of Panther information and the summer classes revolve around learning not to trust The Man. While others are content to fight in any way they can, Delphine can't help but remember her one priority: keeping her sister safe. And if the Man shot an unarmed black boy in his underwear just because he was a Panther, they wouldn't think twice about three little girls who their own mother doesn't even want. This story was so rich with amazing historical facts and personal, real family emotions that I can barely wrap my head around it all! First and foremost is the emotional family dynamic. Williams-Garcia must have younger sisters because this incredibly realistic portrayal of three sisters is so perfect it made me laugh and cringe thinking about my own childhood with my sister. Everything from the way they parrot their older sister, to their precocious goofiness, to their enthusiasm about everything Delphine doesn't want them to do, all of it is so skillfully written you would think you were there with your own sisters! Then you have Cecile. At first I was shocked their father would just ship them out to her, but I realized by the end that he cared about her and trusted her with his kids. Cecile was such a dynamic yet subtle character that you really had to read between the lines to fully appreciate the character Williams-Garcia created. At first it appeared she was working for the Black Panthers, and then it felt like she was somehow forced into it. Then it seemed she didn't believe everything they stood for and then she lectured her daughter about being her own woman and not adopting the housewife subservience her gender has been forced into. It was a little confusing at times, but it made Cecile more human, more real. But more importantly, this story gave life to the Women of this movement, the women caught in between a war of men. From Big Ma back home, a poor but strong southern woman, to the ladies at the Center to Cecile, this was a wonderful book to allow your young readers to see a side of the story never talked about: how it affected the women these men belonged to. I loved this angle on the story, especially since we never hear about the women of the Black Panther movement. And finally, this story is a much needed addition to the world of our cultural and racial history in this country. Everyone likes to talk about MLK, but what about the other side of the movement? They are an important part of our legacy, but it isn't taught as openly in schools, so I am glad to see a book that is appropriate for middle readers that also opens their eyes to a part of their cultural they most likely haven't been exposed to yet. There isn't a deep understanding of the Panthers, but enough to pique their interest. This might be a story best taught in a class or read with a parent in order to help them fully understand the nature of the revolution. I am really glad there is a book like this out there. It is a great addition to the shelves of our libraries and our classrooms.

Really good, but I find it hard to believe that this is a book intended for 8 year olds. Kids are smart, but this book required a highly nuanced emotional range and a knowledge of the Black Panther movement. Loved it though!

This is such a great book about children who lived and were apart of the Black Panther time and history. These 3 black girls lived in a time before and during the murder of MLK junior. The oldest girl Delphine is a 11 year old girl who with her younger 2 sisters get to meet their mother for the first time, only to find out there are many more secrets and surprises to be unfolded. Such a great read, especially for ages 3rd to 6th graders.

I don't know much about the Black Panthers other than what I've read in history books. This gave a unique perspective from a child's point of view. Interesting and well written.

My goddaughter and I have a book club. I was a child of the 60's and 70's I could relate. Especially the J5 concerts! In our discussion I was able to give her my personal history. This is the actual book that started our club if I remember correctly. At her suggestion.

This book opens with three young sisters, ages 11, 9 and 7, on a plane flying alone to meet their mother who abandoned them soon after the birth of the youngest, and who doesn't want them now. At this point, everything that is decent in you should be screaming, "What the hell kind of a "parent" would ship their children off to a "parent" who didn't want them?" Pay attention to that feeling - it's important to this book. Not unexpectedly, the girls' "mammal birth giver" is less than warm or receptive upon their arrival. She shows up late to claim them like so much baggage and then can't be bothered to cook or care for them or even waste time on them other than making a few offhand cruel comments. The caring part falls to the eldest, our narrator Delphine, who is amazingly good at it. She knows just how and when to break up a fight, how to keep her sisters from making a "grand Negro spectacle", and how to comfort and reassure even when she's far from comforted herself. You have to wonder how she got so good at all of that, especially since she lives with her father, Papa, and her grandmother, Big Ma. Don't you think that they should be parenting the younger girls so that Delphine can be a child herself? Are you getting that feeling again? The majority of the book is about how Delphine and her sisters cope with their month in hostile territory. How they spend their days at the Black Panthers' summer camp. How they learn to deal with and even fit in with the other kids. How they adapt to the "black" identity they are being taught after their proper "Negro" upbringing. How they eat Chinese food every night until Delphine demands to be allowed into her mother's sacred kitchen because the girls need home cooking. But behind it all, their mother's absent presence lurks, along with their father behind that. Cecile aka "Nzila" remains a mystery until nearly the tail end of the book, and the book is really about Delphine's (and her sisters') drive to reach their mother somehow. Over and over again the girls reach out in small, tentative ways, and over and over again they grasp little but air. Nevertheless, Cecile/Nzila's presence slowly and subtly grows in the background until we - and Delphine - can begin to make out at least the bare outlines of a real person. Maybe even a person who isn't quite so contemptible as we think. Maybe there's even the slightest bit of sympathy left in her. And then we find out the horrible truth that crystallizes those niggling feelings, those cold little suspicions of Papa and even Big Ma. Suddenly we learn just exactly what kind of man sends his kids alone to a mother who doesn't want them. At this point the book almost tries to convince us that a miraculous transformation has occurred and maybe Cecile isn't such a bad mother after all. But the attempt at a feel-good ending isn't quite convincing, and maybe we still don't really like Cecile all that much. But maybe we understand her just a bit better, and maybe we realize that our contempt has been misplaced. Cecile may not exactly be honorable, but our contempt should be reserved for the man who created the whole situation in the first place. This is a very hard book to rate. Overall, the book is very well written. Ms. Williams-Garcia has a way with words, and she's drawn up some believable, three-dimensional characters. Delphine's narrative voice is pitch-perfect for the overly mature and responsible woman-child that she is, and I could see the world clearly through her eyes. Ms. Williams-Garcia is at her best in describing the close/dysfunctional relationship among the three motherless little girls, and their ambiguous relationship with the adults in their lives. The parts of the book dealing with the Black Panthers and life in 1968 Oakland felt a little weaker to me, but then, it almost seems like just the background to the story Ms. Williams-Garcia really wanted to tell: the story of a predatory man, the girl he used, and the rippling effects on the generation they created. That story is powerfully told, but it's not a pleasant story. It's the kind of story that leaves you both heartbroken and in need of a bath. Although there is nothing overtly violent in the book, there is a level of cruelty, even depravity, that I think calls for a more mature audience than the intended target of this book. In order to appreciate this book, children must be able to move beyond black/white, good/bad dichotomies and be able to understand nuance and circumstance. I'd suggest that parents of younger readers provide some guidance, perhaps even read it with your child. Although the publisher's guidelines say that it is for age 9-12, I wouldn't recommend it for kids much younger than 12 without adult support.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia is about 3 young girls who are siblings going to Oakland, California in the 1960's. The book gives their experience as African-Americans who are not nearly as accessible to the Black Rights Movement in their hometown of Brooklyn, New York. During this summer of visiting their long lost mother, Cecile, the three sisters discover life inside of the movement. They encounter Black Panthers and attempt to figure out if their mother is apart of that group. This book is amazing for the simple fact that it is centered around a part of history that many Americans know little about. It brings the readers to the heart of the issues faced by African-Americans in their own culture during this time. I think that the author has done a wonderful job in expressing how African-Americans interact with one another and how they are expected to carry themselves in society.

This book was bought by me, for me. I am a sixty-year old grandmother who often buys books like this to enjoy as a quick read and to see what young people are reading. The book is full of historical information done in an entertaining way. It made me laugh and sometimes cry. I would recommend it for young women (ages 10 - 15) who you want to introduce to chapter books. The words are not difficult, the storyline is easy to follow, and the ending (not a Cinderella ending) is uplifting.

The book came quickly, and in great shape!

Exactly what the description said it was.

My (almost) 8 yr old loved this book. She had a few questions throughout the book like who's Cassius Clay but she devoured it in 5 days. She was introduced to a different reality.

I liked it because they went through good things and bad things to but they stayed together I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about family love and staying together I gave this a 5 because it was a very good book and I never had any thought about putting this book down because it was just too interesting.

I absolutely loved this book. I am presently reading P.S. Be Eleven, the next book in the series and am enjoying it as well. The references to the sixties are very interesting. The three girls in the story are adorable. I am a retired educator and would highly recommend these books for middle and high schoolers. Rita Williams Garcia is a wonderful writer and one that can be emulated in students' own writing.

This book was a summer reading for my 11 year old. Was very good. Learned history while reading a kids story without even realizing it.

I thought the book was very good. My granddaughter had to do a book report on the book, therefore in order for me to help her I had to read the book also. I think the author held the books interest for the reader. You were reading the book through a child's eye. The mother who didn't know her 3 girls and left them when baby girl was just an infant did not sit well with me at first, but it came together in the end. I thought it was very good. I learned some thing about the Black Panthers that I did not know prior to reading the book. I recommend it.

Great read for 6th and up!

Great read.. Not a children book. Cried at the end!!

This title is on our school district summer reading list, required for all incoming 6th graders in the city. Our 10year old son loved this book. It inspired him to ask important questions and prompted some significant conversations within our family. It's on now on my nightstand, in cue for me to read, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Great read good message

My daughter had to read it for summer break for school and loved it. She actually read it a few times and she’s only 10.

Excellent reading. Taught about sister unity.

My granddaughter loved this book.

Book was bland. Needed it for children lit class and was not one I well read again.

I loved this children's/young-adult book about 3 kids who travel to Oakland in the 60s to meet their estranged mom, a Black Panther. I didn't expect to love it but Williams-Garcia's characters are so engaging that you just start caring so much about what happens to them. I quickly read the sequel too, which won the Coretta Scott King award this year. I think another sequel is pending.

What an exciting book! I read it out loud to my own girls (ages matching those of the characters in the book), and it started candid conversations about the Black Panthers, the Civil Rights Movement, and "How would this have been if it were you?"

Such a fun read. Everything was so vivid. I'm not a middle schooler, I'm a full grown adult but I loved this book about the Gaither sisters. I would recommend to middle school readers and adults who like to read about them. I liked it so much that I bought the next book, P.S. Be Eleven and am now reading the third one, Gone Crazy in Alabama.

Great price...came on time

This book keeps you eagerly turning the pages with a simple-yet-intriguing story and a writing style that constantly has something fresh and new to surprise you or make you laugh with its imagery and unique expression. This book and it's sequel "P.S. Be Eleven" are best of the best in middle grade fiction.

Such a great book. It does a good job of introducing important topics to young Black girls.

Her characters were great, very believable and reaistic

One of the BEST books you've probably never heard of. Good historical fiction is hard to find. This is FANTASTIC historical fiction set in 1968. I wish I had found this book while I was still teaching middle school, but I think advanced readers in 4th & 5th grade can handle the vocabulary. Young readers may need a little help understanding references to social issues & personalities of the late 1960's.

I enjoyed reading this book with my daughter. It was an easy summer read for a 10 year old.

The best new series we've read this year. This first book introduces three very real girls, their family and the times they are living in. Wonderful story with rarely written about details of a specific political time and place and the special challenges and gifts of family members with issues. Could not put it down.

I enjoyed the voice of the young protagonist, and the books shed light on a part of American history that I don't know much about.

Loved the back story about the Black Panthers and their commitment to the betterment of the community. Loved the poetry, as well.

It was a good story of 3 little girls who desire a relationship with their long lost mother. You get a little glimpse of why mom was estranged from her daughter's but I'm hoping the next novels will reveal more for young girls who also have a missing mom in their life. It's a good story for grade and particularly middle school children.

I loved this book it was an easy read and I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and the storyline. This book us for young and old to enjoy. Hats off to the author.

I am a 53-year old school teacher. I intended to preview a book for my students. Instead, I became absorbed in a deliciously-written tale that I (an adult!) thoroughly enjoyed!!! Thank you, Ms. Williams-Garcia, for the endless examples of metaphors and similes! I will also use those in my lessons. Having been a child of the 60's and intrigued by the Black Panthers,I appreciated the little-known positive activities of the group that were revealed in this book. There is also a pertinent theme that many children wrestle with--- parental abandonment. I don't know if my adolescent students will appreciate the deeper themes or outdated idioms, but I will give it a shot! I was left salivating at the high quality of this author's writing!

Ordered this for my grand..she LOVED it!

Thank you. Look forward to enjoying the content. Wonderful reviews

Book club read. Very positive reviews

I read this book to my almost 10-yr-old daughter and we both loved it!! I read it in 2 days because she didn't want me to stop reading. The book brought up a lot of dialogue between us, and although the subject matter was about challenging times, it was as life was in the 60's

Wish I could give this book ten stars,got this book for my ten year old for a summer read,I also found myself wrap up in this book which is well written I wish it didn't have to end so we could have learn more about the mother and girls relationship towards the end. Overall a really good read I think kids and adults would like this book

I enjoyed the story and how I could relate to some of the activities/ experiences the girls had. This book was a part of my summer reading program.

Amazing book and a must read for kids 5th grade-8th grade. A lot of historical information and family issues discussed. I LOVED it and I can't wait to read the sequels. A great book to use in classroom to talk about civic duty and participating in one's community.

One Crazy Summer provided insight into a political group, The Black Panthers based in Oakland California about which I didn't know much and was fascinated by. The three sisters in the story are delightful and well written. I recommend the book for fifth grade and up. It certainly allowed me to see a different perspective and made me more grateful for my own childhood.

My granddaughter doves it.

This is emotionally hard to take. I wouldn't give it to anyone who can't process a lot of questions and sadness. But if they are old enough, and have support, it is well worth it.

Love this book for my 10 year old granddaughter! She was kind of put out because the book absolutely had no illustrations but once she began to read it, she discovered the words painted pictures for her! She loves it!

The book arrived in excellent condition and faster than I expected. Several of my students have since read it. I do whole class reading in my class and we read several novels throughout the year. I am presently trying to find 20 copies of this book to add to our list for the next school year. Such a good award-winning book needs to be read by all.

Or someone you knew, with the crazy parent and the weird home life and divorced parents. Where you flew across the country for double doses of culture shock and grief. Amazing book. Could not put it down.

Absolutely loved these three survivors!!! They do more than cope they excel!

Love , love , love. Read ready👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

The author does a spectacular job of creating life during the Black Panther Movement in California during the 1960's, as told from the perspective of 11-year-old Delphine. (Maybe the portrayal is a little over the top?) Delphine and her younger sisters are sent to visit their mother, who abandoned them when the youngest was a baby. The characters are richly drawn, although I didn't completely understand why the mom abandoned the children. One of the most poignant aspects of the book is the contrast between the mother, who has aligned herself with the movement, and Big Ma, the grandma who has raised the girls and who still believes that Blacks should be extra careful, bordering on subservient, to Whites. This book was written for middle school students, but adults can appreciate the humor and pathos of three little girls left alone by a mother who really doesn't want them around.

2011 Newberry Honor Award. Excellent book about three sisters who travel from Brooklyn to Oakland one summer to visit the mother that abandoned them when the youngest girl, Fern, was a newborn. Set during the Black Panther movement, this is an authentic picture of Oakland, of growing up "colored" and girls searching for their mama. I highly recommend.

I love this book and these characters. It’s funny and enlightening and all the things you think about growing up in an African-American household. Delphine is very smart for her age of only 11. She is the oldest of three and has taken her role as big sister very well. She also takes on the role of helping out her father and grandmother in the wake of her mother abandoning them. I absolutely adore her and she reminds me of someone that I grew up with. When they are presented with the opportunity to visit their mother Cecile in Oakland, CA, the girls are faced with a very different woman than they pictured. Cecile, or Nzila in this case, is very disturbing but by the end of this book, I felt sorry for her, almost. She’s not as cruel as I thought and the author gives you that view to just make you like her. The girls spend time at a Black Panther summer camp and you get the feel for the time and place of what that decade was like. In CA, that was a very chaotic time- the 80s, and even with Delphine’s voice shining through, I took a lot away from those moments. There’s no shortage of drama here and that is what I liked about this book. However, the ending kind of made me pessimistic but I know that there can’t always be rainbows and sunshine. I can’t wait to read the other books and see what’s next for Delphine, Fern, and Vonetta. These girls are truly amazing characters. I definitely recommend to young and older readers alike.

Misleading at the beginning, but soon evolved into a story with richly developed characters who learned and grew in a short time!

👍🏼

Well written, engaging story of a family in 1968. Three young sisters go to visit the mother they never knew in Oakland during a time of turmoil both personal and public. Heartwarming and real but not too heavy for older children.

When I first looked at this book I didn't think I would like it. Since I don't read a lot of historical fiction I thought it would be good to try it. I ended up finishing the book in three days and I was really surprised. All I can say that I didn't like about it was the fact that Cecile never said why she really left and the ending. Otherwise I is definitely in my top five favorite books. And also saying I am only eleven years young, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, books about family, of any age even adults.

My grand nieces and nephew loves seeing themselves on the printed page, thanks much!

I work at a school where some of the teachers participate in a book club that reads young adult books. This was one of the books chosen to be read and I absolutely loved it. The author's voice is strong throughout and I couldn't help but fall in love with the three main characters. I definitely recommend this book

My daughter loves it great read for the summer

My class enjoyed this novel

Really good read. I'm an adult and Absolutely LOVED this book.

I really enjoyed this book, however I bought it for my daughter in which it didn't keep her entertained enough to finish the book. I believe it is an inspiring book and can teach our children our history as it isn't taught as it should be.

Loved the accuracy of the history and the authentic protagonist's voice. Learned a lot about the Black Panthers and Oakland in the 1960s. Great to use as a comparison to the ideas of MLK, Jr. and Malcolm X. In light of recent tragedies and crimes against unarmed black men, it is also an excellent conversation starter. Since it's geared for 4-6th grade, it's the kind of book you could read with adults and have a good conversation. Sometimes the BLM conversation is too tough. This removes the tension a little and still allows for honest dialog. HIGHLY recommended (get your Kleenex, too).

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia is a must have book for kids, teens and adults. It about families and kids in the 1960's. This books has a little of everything from happy times to sad times. It is a great learning experience and I would recommend this book. On Feb, 22 the author Rita-Williams-Garcia visited the Montclair Public library and yes,she did sign by book. I am so Happy. Thank you,Amazon for delivering this book to me in such a short time. Great work!!!! Happy customer. matila

There were some things in this story that brought me back to my childhood and the relationship my 3 sisters & I had with our absent mother. This one hit close to home in many ways. Three courageous little girls. I couldn't put it down.

book was great for my smaller children as it was ordered in audible. Now, I have more that want to enjoy. I am trying to figure out how to achieve this. Would recommend to others.

LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Bought it on a recommendation from a friend. Using it as an intro to non-graphic chapter books for my first grader. She is enjoying the story and journey along with Vonetta and her sisters.

Delightful, funny, real life themed. Good youth book for 10+ y/o. Well written, with good flowing story lines. Age appropriate.

Book 1 of 3. Absolutely wonderful. Great books for opening up discussions about history, race, and racism in our country. Beautiful sisters.

Great book for any school age or adult to read. Reading is wonderful and this story made you feel like you were there, the whole way through. I love books where you feel like not putting it down...

This book is a Must - Read for African American Girls!

This review is coming from the view of an 11 yr old. He stayed that this book was awesome and he learned some valuable lessons. He read this entire book in 2 days (he isn't the fastest reader and I usually have to tell him to read his book...not this time!).

Good

You don't have to be a kid to enjoy this book. There is more here then three kids growing up. It is a story about life as real as real can be. A voice that suck you and holds you. Can there be love in the pain of life? Yes! Read this book.

Seriously, don't read this book if you have to be somewhere or if you have to get up in the morning. I spent all night reading, and it took me less than a day to finish. The author's style mixes drama, humor, and childlike observation for a great book that adults and kids alike can appreciate.

I'm a 13 year old boy and I had to read for school and I like it because it talkes about the black Panthers and what a mother need to do to take care of her kids

Must read the trilogy to understand how these little girls end up.

My 5th Grader Loved This Book

My daughter loved the book, and she used it for school

Cecile as an independent woman who provided a fantastic independence for her daughters to follow is marvelous. All the characters were believable...

Seattle Global reading challenge 2014 - the Seattle public librarians know how to pick 'em. If you want books your 2nd-6th grader will LOVE - buy any of the Global Reading Challenge books.

First book in the series and a wonderful story. I loved the book and so did my granddaughter who requested the trilogy.

Didn't want to put it down!! This story is so real you forget it's fiction.... I can't wait to read other books by Rita Williams-Garcia.

I love the book it was about Delphine and events that happed when she moved to her mother's house.

This is an amazing book!

This book was completely enthralling!! I (as well as my 9 & 7 yr old daughter's) enjoyed every page of this story. Well written and great effortless flow throughout. Highly recommend!

Awesome book and fun to read for my daughter

Fantastic book! My 8yo loved it.

I bought this book for my granddaughter but decided to read it first. I really enjoyed and I know she will as well.

Rita does an excellent job of telling this story through the eyes of Delphine, the preteen protagonist. The description of how she sees things is especially entertaining. I would highly recommend this book to readers and authors of kidlit.

WONDERFUL AND NEEDED...FOR ALL, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR LITTLE GIRLS OF COLOR!!!

This book should be required reading for all 4th or 5th graders!!! The author provides an accurate picture of the Civil Rights Movement in a way that is accessible for children, and she tackles difficult concepts such as protest and discrimination. Beautifully written!

Must read! Great books!

good book

And if you're interested in civil rights, you should be interested in the 60s...

This is an amazing book that looks at the lives of the children in the civil rights movement. It's a grand look at childhood.

These books have been a great way for my daughter and I to bond. She reads a xhapter to me each night. They are vividly written and make you feel as if you know each character.

This book was full of adventure Nd it was fun. I thought that it was a very, wonderful book, that's why I picked this rating. I recommend this book to everyone!

My 4th grader loved it! We are now on the 3rd one.

Being informed on the difficulties growing up without both parents. Understanding the characteristics of older children.

Awesome story!!! Great story (novel) for a fourth grade class.

My 6th grader has enjoyed this book and the other books in the series. These are books she can relate to.

My granddaughter loved reading this book.

I bought this book for my 11 year old daughter that does not like to read and she told me she loves this book. She could stop telling me about what she had read.

Yet ANOTHER Rita Williams-Garcia book I couldn't put down; I really connected with the characters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern. When they are sent to spend the month with a mother they REALLY never knew, they find themselves thrust into a world that both celebrates and scorns them as young black women. As Delphine and Cecile get to know each other (although Cecile is at first EXTREMELY resistant to this), they find that they have more in common than they realize, and haltingly, they form a bond. I can't say much more without giving away the plot, so I urge you to read the book. You won't be sorry.

I teach 5th grade and recently put this into our classroom library. My kids are fighting over who gets to read it next! Amazing story with true to heart morals kids of any age can relate to.

My daughter like it!

Wonderful! An amazing way to introduce race issues and the Black Panthers (from the inside-- not the judgment of outsiders). Charming girls as the main characters.

This book great reading for both children and adults. I really enjoyed the story it was very touching. Had difficulty putting it down

The content of the book allows for deep discussion in the classroom. A great tool to teach figurative language in the middle grades.

NOT AS IMPRESSED AS I THOUGHT I'D BE. WISH THE DJ HAD EMBEDDED AWARDS. IT MAKES THE BOOK MORE APPEALING THIS WAY.

Good book.

This story brings back historical memories for me. Because the neighborhood was local, I was able to visualize every place these girls traveled in Oakland.

Beautifully illustrated! Well-written!

This book was an excellent read, and no wonder it's an award winner. "One Crazy Summer" will be donated to our local school district's library and will be a welcome addition.