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Rita Williams-Garcia

One Crazy Summer

Rita Williams-GarciaFiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2010

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Book Brief

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Rita Williams-Garcia

One Crazy Summer

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2010
Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Oakland, California • 1960s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

Lexile Level

750L

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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.

Nostalgic

Emotional

Heartwarming

Challenging

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.3

41,806 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

4.3

41,806 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Oakland, California • 1960s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

Lexile Level

750L

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