One+Crazy+Summer+(Kleinmeyer)

//Submitted by Lynn Kleinmeyer//

One Crazy Summer

In the summer of 1968, 11 year-old Delphine flies to Oakland, California, with her two younger sisters to spend the summer with the mother they barely know. Hoping for some sort of happy reconciliation, Delphine quickly gets a dose of reality. Rather than spend time with the girls, Delphine's mother, Cecile (now known as Nzila) sends them to a Black Panther summer camp. Although the summer is a far cry from the happy reunion she dreamt of, Delphine begins to understand that there is much more to the world (and others) than she'd ever realized before.
 * Summary:**

2011 Coretta Scott King Award Winner 2011 Newbery Honor Book 2011 Scott O’Dell Prize for Historical Fiction 2010 National Book Award Finalist Junior Library Guild Selection Texas Library Association Best Book for 2010
 * Awards:**

This is Rita Williams-Garcia discussing //One Crazy Summer// with a group of students from Vermont College of Fine Arts. media type="file" key="Rita Williams Garcia Talks about One Crazy Summer [www.keepvid.com].flv"
 * Videos:**

• Rita Williams-Garcia's Page on One Crazy Summer This is the link to Rita Williams-Garcia's own page giving information about //One Crazy Summer.// This site not only provides reviews of the book, but also provides access to information about the author herself. • National Book Award Finalist Interview with Rita Williams-Garcia This is a link to an interview of Rita Williams-Garcia for the 2010 National Book Award Finalist. • Black Panther Information from Encyclopedia Britannica This is a link to Encyclopedia Britannica's information about the Black Panthers. This site includes general information, images, and links to information about Black Panther Party leaders. • Information about Bobby Hutton (and other Black Panther members) This is a link to information about Bobby Hutton and other prominent Black Panther members.
 * Extra Resources:**


 * Discussion Quesitons**:
 * 1) How does the reality of Delphine's first meeting with Cecile differ from what she had dreamed of? How would you have felt if you were in Delphine's situation?
 * 2) Names are important in this story. What is the story of your name? Share the story of your name and how you feel about your name.
 * 3) Poetry surrounds Delphine. Delphine’s mother is a poet and her younger sister Fern (Afua) seems to have a poetic side as well. Create a free verse poem that summarizes Dephine’s experiences in California or her new understanding of her mother.
 * 4) In what ways does Delphine change as a character throughout the story? List as many as you can.

As students begin to read about the Black Panther movement and some of the leaders, I will ask them to read about some of the major events and leaders (namely those mentioned in the book). I will them ask the students to create a free-verse poem from the perspective a Black Panther leader or of someone witnessing one of the major events we read about. Students will use the links provided above as resources.
 * Classroom Activity:**

Appelt, K. (2010, July 16). Rita Williams-Garcia talks about one crazy summer [Video file]. Retrieved from youtube database. Williams-Garcia, R. (2010). //One crazy summer.// Amistad: New York, NY. Williams-Gracia, R. (n.d.). //One crazy summer//. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from @http://www.ritawg.com/one-crazy-summer/
 * References:**