Overview
A summer they’ll never forget. A mother they barely know. A moment in history that will change them forever.
Set in 1968 against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, One Crazy Summer is a powerful, funny, and deeply human novel by Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award–winning author Rita Williams-Garcia. Eleven-year-old Delphine has been holding her family together ever since their mother, Cecile, left seven years ago. Now, she and her younger sisters—outspoken Vonetta and sweet Fern—are flying from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, for an unexpected reunion.
But Cecile isn’t exactly the Disneyland type. She’s a poet with a new name and a radical life, and instead of warm hugs or sightseeing, the girls are sent to a day camp run by the Black Panthers. What begins as a disappointing trip slowly transforms into a powerful journey of self-discovery, cultural pride, and sisterhood.
Perfect for classrooms and summer reading programs, this Newbery Honor novel has earned critical acclaim and classroom staying power. It also won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, the Coretta Scott King Award, and was a National Book Award Finalist.
Why bulk buyers choose this title:
- Rich entry point into civil rights history, ideal for Grades 4–7
- Encourages critical thinking and discussions around race, identity, and activism
- A compelling, character-driven story with humor and heart
- Pairs well with nonfiction like Stamped by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi, or memoirs like Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Bonus: The story continues in P.S. Be Eleven and Gone Crazy in Alabama, making this a great starting point for classroom series reads or book clubs.
Themes: Family, historical awareness, identity, growing up, resilience, race and equity
Praise:
- “Witty and original.” — The New York Times
- “This vibrant and moving award-winning novel has heart to spare.” — Brightly
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