Historical Fiction- Book Review #1

 Historical Fiction- Book Review #1

One Crazy Summer 

By Rita Williams-Garcia

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060760892

PLOT SUMMARY

Williams-Garcia tells the story of three young sisters who are forced by their father to spend a month with the mother who abandoned them.  When they arrive in California they realize their mother is an selfish individual who lacks maternal instincts and are forced to care for themselves.  Every morning the three sisters, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are sent to have breakfast at the local center, which is run by the political group the Black Panthers.  Not only did these young girls receive meals at the local center but also an eye opening education about being black in America.  The girls also learn about their mother and the relationship with her in a summer they will never forget.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Williams-Garcia engages the reader with an accurate picture of what life was like for African Americans in the 1960s.  She tells the story from a child's perspective, a child who forced to learn a lot about the movement for African-American rights.  Throughout the story the sisters learn about famous African-Americans, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X and Huey Newton who was the founder of the Black Panthers.  Williams-Garcia does a great job incorporating factual events into the story and still made the book enjoyable and engaging.  I do feel though that if the young adult reader does not have a lot of background knowledge about these important African-Americans and their movements they might feel a little lost when they make mention to these people in the story. It would be helpful for the reader to have some knowledge about some of these events so they can make connections throughout the story.

The relationship between the sisters and the mother is written in such a way that could occur in recent times.  The relationship challenges that arise between the mother and the daughters is presented in such a way that young readers can comprehend.  The emotions and frustrations felt by the young girls are relevant in the 1960s as they are today, the reader can make connections to their own life and experiences.  Not only can the reader make connections with the mother and daughter relationships, but also connections with sibling relationship.  Dephine is the oldest sister who is responsible and loving, she works hard to keep her sisters safe.   Vonetta and Fern are funny characters and these sisters can remind the reader of what it is like to have siblings.  

REVIEW EXCERPTS 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Emotionally challenging and beautifully written, this book immerses readers in a time and place and raises difficult questions of cultural and ethnic identify and personal responsibility.  With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading."

BOOKLIST: "Set during a pivotal moment in African American history, this vibrant novel shows the subtle ways that political movements affect personal lives; but just as memorable is the finely drawn, universal story of children reclaiming a reluctant parent's love."

KIRKUS: "The depiction of the time is well done, and while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults their resilience is celebrated and energetically told with writing that snaps off the page."

CONNECTIONS

*Have children write about the craziest summer they have had.

*Have children read more book written by Rita Williams-Garcia:

GONE CRAZY IN ALABAMA. ISBN 9780062215895

P.S. BE ELEVEN. ISBN 9780061938627

LIKE SISTERS ON THE HOMEFRONT. ISBN 9780140385618